A local's guide to some of the best beaches near the city!
A local's guide to some of the best beaches near the city!
Located on a peninsula, Cape Town is studded with a coastline of 72 great beaches extending from the West Coast to False Bay. Our beaches boast glittering aquamarine water and a gorgeous natural backdrop of rugged mountains and cliffs. The water is rarely warm, but that doesn’t stop the locals from flocking to spend a day soaking up the sun, relaxing at a picnic or taking a dip. We have good surf here in the Cape, but you’ll want to bring a wetsuit. Though it’s impossible to choose the best, here’s a list of my favourite local spots to get sandy & soak up the African sun.
GLEN BEACH
Camps Bay is known for it’s busy main road & beautiful (but often crowded) white-sand beach. With majestic views of both Lions Head & the Twelve Apostle Mountain Peaks, it’s pretty clear why it’s a favourite. Tucked away in the corner, hidden behind a big boulder, is Glen Beach. Far from a hidden gem but a local favourite. A stone's throw away from town with better protection from the constant summer wind, it’s one of my go-to’s when I’m in need of some salt-water therapy.
Link: Maps
BARLEY BAY
This hidden spot offers the best of Cape Town's summer scenery. The beach itself is small but it's rarely busy so you’ll be able to stretch out and get stuck into your holiday book. Sit back and look out at an exquisite display of turquoise to deep rich blues decorated with rocky boulders and lush seaweed. This is easy dipping as the waters are sheltered and uncrowded.
Link: Maps
BETA BEACH
Just about a kilometre down the road from Camps Bay, Beta at Bakoven is popular for waveless calm blue seas. The still water is perfect for snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and shallow dips. With mesmerising sunsets and views of Lion’s head, it’s likely you’ll find a photo shoot in progress. It’s well worth heading here to watch the sun set into a fiery display of colour along the horizon.
Link: Maps
BAKOVEN BEACH
A secret little spot that’s almost too good to share. Bakoven is located in a small residential community and frequented by quiet beach folk. This intimate rocky treat is ideal for sunbaking or sundowners. Bring your own cool bag and relax in the calm ambience with an uninterrupted view of Lion’s Head.
Link: Maps
COSY BAY
These tiny beaches are located amongst beautiful granite boulders and are a local favourite. Weekends’ get a bit crowded but mid-week, you can find a little nook all to yourself. With incredible freediving (great to explore the underwater kelp forests!) Great spot to spend the day with a book and some snacks. Highly recommend!
Link: Maps
LLANDUDNO BEACH
As you head towards Hout Bay, you’ll find Llandudno Beach down a narrow windy road in a ritzy hillside neighbourhood. Llandudno attracts a mixed crowd of surfers, groups of friends and tourists going off the beaten track for a peaceful soft and sandy cove. There are no restaurants or shops around this beach, so bring everything you need for the day like chairs, umbrellas and snacks. As evening rolls in, you’ll want to stick around because its westerly location means it gets gorgeous nightly sunsets.
Link: Maps
SANDY BAY
Sandy Bay…an exquisite, tranquil, white-sanded paradise…if you don't mind bathing amongst slightly older nude men. Surprise. Sandy Bay is one of Cape Towns’ only nude beaches. I don't know if it’s the nude elderly men or the long walk to get to the beach, regardless…it’s isolated, quiet and extremely tranquil. With good surf in the summer and some exceptional sunsets, it’s a great spot to spend the afternoon on the beach with friends. One sad reality is the fact that there has been some petty crime in the past so unfortunately, I would not recommend going on your own.
Link: Map
BLOUBERG STRAND
Probably one of the windiest places in Cape Town (if not the world!) However, on those rare summer days when the wind isn't howling, it’s probably one of the most exceptional beaches with great waves, clear blue water, white sand and a second-to-none view of the iconic Table Mountain! Great location for sunset.
Link: Maps
CLIFTON 2ND
Far from a ‘secret spot’, these four beaches are some of our trendiest and get crazy busy during the summer-season. That being said, Second beach attracts a laidback younger crowd who migrate towards the waters’ edge after work (avoid on the weekend!) and is heaven on earth for sunbathing, a round of beach bats, tossing a frisbee or enjoying a few sunset drinks. The water is quite chilly, but the surf is calm for taking a dip. Clifton 2nd is easily reached from the beach road via a set of steep stairs or by walking across from its neighbouring beaches.
Link: Maps
And there you have it! Enjoy & keep your eyes out for part II ?
