Clifton

Beaches of the Peninsula

The Mother City has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and something to offer everyone. It is no surprise that South Africa was one of the first countries outside of Europe to earn blue flag status for some of her beaches – there are three on offer in and around Cape Town. The blend of two oceans and two very different styles of beach, divided by a 1000m high peninsula that earned Cape Town her name, leaves Cape Town unrivalled and a holiday destination of note.

The west side of the Cape Peninsula has a very definite style of beach. This is where the more fashionable set go to see and be seen, particularly along the Atlantic Seaboard, also known as Cape Town’s ‘Riviera’, which stretches from the V&A Waterfront on the north shore of Table Mountain up as far as Hout Bay and is connected by one of the most picturesque, scenic drives along Victoria Road.

Beaches here enjoy longer sunshine hours, incomparable sunsets and more protection from ‘the Cape Doctor’ (Cape Town’s infamous south easterly) than the False Bay side of the Cape peninsula. There is a spectacular selection of unspoilt beaches with seas that are usually 3 to 4 degrees colder than the Indian Ocean but this doesn’t seem to worry anyone soaking up the sun against the backdrop of blue skies and white sands.

North of the Atlantic Seaboard are the beaches of Table Bay. These sport the picture-postcard views of Cape Town over Table Mountain and Robben Island and tend to be more popular with locals, particularly kite surfers. Beyond Hout Bay, beaches such as Noordhoek and Scarborough are less frequented but no less beautiful, rather they’re where the locals can get away from the crowds.

Big Bay has two rocky outcrops that jut out into the sea, creating a bay. Blouberg has some lovely rock pools and the viewpoint from here of the bay and Table Mountain has graced many a postcard. Table View has a number of restaurants and venues for sundowners and Dolphin beach is the first of this series of beaches reached from the M14 and synonymous with kite surfing.  Milnerton is well known for its lighthouse, which sits virtually on the beach and is great for swimming as, unlike Dolphin beach, it is manned by lifeguards. There are also a number of beach cafes and restaurants here.

Mouille Point, Seapoint and Three Anchor Bay don’t have much beach to speak of – they’re more ocean front than beach. However, Saunders Rocks at Seapoint has a little tidal pool and Three Anchor Bay has a tiny, little beach. It’s the promenade that draws people here. This walkway is right near the sea and is a haunt of joggers, walkers, dog walkers and families.

Clifton is an extremely popular hangout for locals and international jet setters – you’re here to be seen and to share space with the latest designer costumes and sunglasses. Clifton has four beaches called 1st, 2nd etc and 4th beach has blue flag status, not least because of the turquoise water and white sands. These beaches are Cape Town’s premier beaches, divided by granite boulders and packed with beautiful people in summer.

Camps Bay just up the road from Clifton is a long, sandy beach with palm trees and a fantastic promenade lined with trendy restaurants, cafes and cocktail bars. Here Cape Town’s fashionable set mingle with visitors to the city against one of the most beautiful backdrops of Lion’s Head and the 12 Apostles. The beach is very popular for sundowners and in hot weather it’s a beach paradise. From Camps Bay you can walk to Glen Beach – a small beach set in a little enclave and great for surfing – and Maiden’s Cove, which is very much a family beach just in front of the Glen Country Club. Bakoven gets a mention because of its natural beauty – big boulders, white sands and a gorgeous setting. But it’s smallish and zealously protected by territorial local residents.

Llandudno, set in an exclusive neighbourhood, is one of the most photogenic beaches in Cape Town and definitely one of the most beautiful.

Llandudno

If you’re not a strong swimmer then settle for a dip as the currents are strong but great for surfers and sunsets here are notorious. Parking can be a bit of a headache but this does mean it doesn’t get too crowded.

Sandy Bay, a bit of a clamber across the boulders from Llandudno or a walk from the car park, is enclosed by sand dunes and well protected from the wind. It’s Cape Town’s nudist beach and not as busy as the other beaches, possibly because of the walk. But you can escape the crowds here and don’t have to be naked in order to experience the beach.

Hout Bay is a protected harbour bay great for walks and horse riding with spectacular mountain surrounds and views over the Holland Hottentots Mountains in the distance. The Chapman’s Peak side of the beach is better for sunbathing and swimming is good here as the waves are gentle. Fish and chips are the order of the day and a stroll along the pier to view the fishing boats is a treat, particularly if you can spot the odd Cape Fur seal or whale, during season.

Noordhoek beach, at the end of Chapman’s Peak drive and south of Hout Bay, has a gorgeous, incredibly wide expanse of sand perfect for long walks, horse riding and local surfers. Views of the bay are spectacular and the beach is lined with dunes that offer shelter from the wind. The beach borders on local wetlands and because of its size, is rather isolated so swimming or walking on your own are probably not a good idea.

Noordhoek

Long Beach at Kommetjie is just that, a long, sandy beach very popular with surfers. There is also a large tidal pool here great for swimming and families with some spectacular views.

Witsands, between Kommetjie and Scarborough, is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers alike. For locals, this is a haven as it’s further from Cape Town and thus not very well known. The beach is big and there are plenty of sand dunes, which contribute to the beauty of the natural surrounds.

Misty Cliffs is wonderfully remote with some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic. Waves here can get notoriously big, so it isn’t really a swimmers paradise and even surfers take along an extra fin. It is popular with locals, divers and those wanting to escape it all.  Scarborough is the last residential suburb before Cape Point. The beach is large with plenty of sand for sunbathing, popular with surfers and body boarders and has some beautiful views. Because it’s so far from Cape Town, it never gets crowded here although it can get busy in summer. When the wind blows, it’s an ideal spot for flying kites and kite surfing.