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Cape Town’s best beaches

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Last updated: 15 July, 2024

Cape Town is blessed with superb beaches, celebrated for their natural beauty, with fine powdery white sand and clear water. Depending on where you go, the water temperature ranges from toe-numbingly cold on the Atlantic Ocean side – where even the bravest swimmer wouldn’t last more than a few seconds – to warmer in False Bay on the Indian Ocean side. Each offers a different experience too – from vast empty stretches of sand to social hubs thronging with locals.

The gorgeous Atlantic side beaches in the trendy neighbourhoods of Clifton and Camps Bay are more of a ‘scene’ and thrum with Capetonians. The beaches further out from the city are better for beach lazing and surfing.

Recommendations

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Camps Bay Beach

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Street view of the local bay area during the daytime

Experience

Set against a backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the striking Lion’s Head, Camps Bay Beach features fine white sand and clear, turquoise waters – albeit too cold for swimming.

It’s a vibrant and trendy spot, both on the sand and off it, with a lively promenade just off the beach lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars that thrum with Capetonians. Even if you’re not a beach-goer, it’s a convivial place to hang out with the locals and experience what life is really like here – and the Camps Bay strip is the city’s prime spot for beachside sundowners.

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Most visitors on the way to Cape Point stop off to see the heart-warming penguin colony at Boulders Beach – a 2,500-strong African Penguin breeding colony, one of the largest in the world. These charismatic critters that will charm adults and kids alike.

A number of operators also offer kayak tours to see the colony – without the crowds. Tours will take you past the breeding area and around to Boulders Beach.

Also stop by the adjoining boulder-strewn Seaforth Beach, which boasts picturesque, family-friendly coves where the penguins often swim freely with bathers in the sheltered water. In winter, there are also seals and whales. In summer, there’s snorkelling.

Adult price: £8

Good for age: 4+

Muizenberg Beach

  • Muizenberg, Western Cape, South Africa

colourd beach huts on Muizenberg Beach

Experience

Muizenberg Beach, located on the False Bay coast, is famous for its colourful beach huts. It’s a hotspot for surfing due to its warmer waters, averaging between 15°C and 20°C, and gentle waves. This family-friendly beach offers a more relaxed vibe and is less crowded compared to the oh-so-trendy Atlantic beaches.

Duration: -

Bloubergstrand Beach

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

view of beach with table mountain behind

Experience

If you’re wanting an invigorating walk on a quiet, beautiful beach, with views to sooth the soul, you can’t do better than Bloubergstrand. This long stretch of white sand offers an iconic view of Table Mountain’s flat top to accompany you as you stroll. It’s windy though, with almost constant trade winds bringing a 1–3 m surf for a majority of the year – making it a popular spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Wondrous to walk all year round, but if you’re going in winter, be sure to wrap up warm.

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Clifton’s beaches

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Clifton beach aerial view

Experience

Clifton’s four idyllic beaches, separated by oversized granite boulders, are famous for their sheltered, wind-free conditions and soft white sand. Being Atlantic beaches, however, they’re too cold for swimming. Each beach has its own character – the 1st for seclusion, the 2nd for sports, the 3rd for the young crowd, and the 4th for families – and each if guaranteed a welcoming, convivial atmosphere. Great for hanging out with the locals.

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Llandudno Beach

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

view of houses and hills and Llandudno Beach

Experience

A secluded, picturesque beach nestled in a residential area. It features fine, white sand, and clear but cold water, and is surrounded by large granite boulders, offering a serene and natural setting. It’s a popular spot for sunbathing, picnicking, and beach sports.

Duration: -

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 0+
When: All year around
Duration: -

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Cape Town

Discover the African Penguins in their natural habitat on a half day tour to Boulders Beach. You will explore, admire, and laze around on the beach, while surrounded by these friendly seabirds and visit a selection of stunning viewpoints. you can spend time swimming as well as sunbathing with our waddling friends.

Price ZAR 640

Min age 1

Rating 4.87 / 5 [226 ratings]

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  • Cape Town

You only have 5 hours in Cape town and are desperate to see the African Penguins at Boulders beach? look no further! Not only does this tour give you more than enough time to spend with the penguins at Boulders beach but also takes you on the world-famous Chapman's peak drive for an exhilarating scenic drive with several stops to take pictures and enjoy the views. The tour also has a dedicated stop at Muizenberg town, where you can take pictures with the famous and colorful beach huts. Our qualified guide will escort you at all times but in the same process, allow you time to explore more at your own pace. A visit to Bo-kaap and Noordhoek farm village are also on the cards before your drop off at your preferred location in Cape town to complete your half day tour.

Price ZAR 650

Min age 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [45 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Cape Town

This is the most visited city in Africa with numerous awards since 1865. The city has among others the following awards, one of the best cities in the world 2019. Won the Greatest City on earth by Telegraph Awards 2018. The Best Destination in Africa World Tourism Awards 2018. The World's Leading Festival and Events Destination by 2018 World Travel Awards. Cultural Destination of The Year Award - ZEITZ MOCAA. Table Mountain one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and also on the top 10 most climbed mountains in the world according to Adventure Travel 2016. This tour has some of the 10 Blue Flag Status beaches. Travelers also see Bo-kaap a National Heritage Site with its attractive colorful houses. Travelers will visit The Company Gardens, a botanical garden and park in the heart of the city. There are several Museums, Art Galleries and the Castle of Good Hope. Town Hall where Mandela addressed the nation on his release in 1990. It is also one of the cleanest city in the world.

Price ZAR 2,500

Min age 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [9 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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