Western Cape Beaches – South Africa
The Mother City has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and something to offer everyone. It’s no surprise that South Africa was one of the first countries outside of Europe to gain Blue Flag status for some of its beaches – there are three on offer in and around Cape Town.
The mixture of 2 oceans (the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean) and therefore 2 different styles of beach, divided by a 1000 m high peninsula, makes Cape Town a holiday destination like no other.
bikini beach
Awarded the Blue Flag, this is a small beach by the harbor at Gordons Bay. A very fashionable area with many services. Note that the height of the water drops quickly on this beach.
strand beach
Located in False Bay, half an hour drive from Cape Town, it is a long wide beach with waves for all ages, rock pools and a sea pool for children, watch the sun set behind Table Mountain and admire the spectacular Hottentot Holland Mountains. Parking is plentiful, although on sunny weekends it can be incredibly busy along Beach Road, there are a few ice cream parlors along the beach.
grotto beach
Located next to the picturesque town of Hermanus, Grotto Beach is long and white, dunes and mountains surround the beach, there is a small playground, a barbecue area and a restaurant nearby, you can enjoy whale watching from the beach between July and December.
sandy bay
Famous as the closest nude beach to Cape Town, and also popular with gays. Sandy Bay is close to the Llandudno surf spot.
camps bay
Located in the fashionable suburb of Cape Town, this is the city’s favorite beach, Camps Bay Beach has a range of good facilities and is easily accessible to all. Magnificent views can be enjoyed throughout the day. The water here can be very cold and the wind can pick up in a second!
Clifton Beaches
4 small closed beaches separated by rocks and are the most fashionable beaches in the whole country, surrounded by extremely expensive apartments, this is one of the wealthiest areas in the Western Cape. The beaches are more sheltered than Camps Bay but there is a steep walk down to the beaches and once you are on the beach there are no services except people selling soft drinks and ice cream so make sure you have everything with you! Clifton’s First Beach offers the best surfing, Second and Third Beaches are the most attractive places to be seen, and Fourth Beach is much more family-friendly, with the easiest access and calmest waters.
elands bay
North West of Cape Town is a very popular surf spot with some of the best breaks in the country, usually Elands Bay is too windy for sunbathing and too cold for some swimmers.