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 earn 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 1000m high peninsula, makes Cape Town a holiday destination like no other.
bikini beach
Awarded the Blue Flag, this is a small beach next to the port of Gordons Bay. A very fashionable area with many services. Keep in mind that the height of the water drops rapidly at this beach.
strand beach
Located in False Bay, half an hour’s drive from Cape Town, it is a long, wide beach with waves for all ages, rock pools and a children’s tidal pool, 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 village 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 break.
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 gated 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 surf, the second and third are the most attractive spots to be seen, and the fourth beach is much more family-friendly, with the easiest access and calmest waters.
elands bay
North West Cape Town is a very popular surf spot with some of the best breaks in the country, Elands Bay is generally too windy for sunbathing and too cold for some swimmers.