Llandudno and Sandy Bay

Only 18km from the Cape Town city centre – over Suikerbossie Hill from the Hout Bay side or along Victoria Road from Camps Bay – an arc of fine white sand gives away the secluded location of one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, Llandudno. From the access road high above this little piece of paradise, there’s a bird’s-eye view of the ocean below, where pale aquamarine hues mingle with deeper, darker blue waters that hide many a shipwreck.

The beach is open to the public every day, but because parking is limited on the steep access roads, Llandudno is the ideal place to avoid the crowds (as long as you are lucky enough to find a parking place yourself, or alternatively, have a friend or taxi drop you there). The beach sand is fine, white and waiting for beach towels, brightly coloured brollies, holiday novels and picnic baskets to arrive. As Llandudno is on the Atlantic side of Cape Town, the ocean is cold, and a quick dip is usually enough bring respite to hot, beach-bronzed bodies. More hardy surfers and body-boarders brave the waters to take advantage of its icy but popular point breaks, albeit with wetsuits, hoods and booties on!

When making this your beach destination for the day, remember to take along plenty to eat and drink and sufficient sun protection cream, because the beach is located in the elite residential area of Llandudno and there are no shops around.

Naturists might prefer the more secluded Sandy Bay – Cape Town’s official nudist beach – which lies south of Llandudno, at the end of a valley that runs down from the Twelve Apostles mountain range to the ocean. Swimming is not high on the agenda in Sandy Bay’s little cove because the water is pretty chilly – but you are, of course, guaranteed a glorious overall tan.

The large boulders that characterise this part of the coast provide many vantage points from which one can enjoy spectacular views of the mountain behind and the ocean in front – all in the buff, of course! The long beach is broken up into smaller sections by large, natural granite slabs and the far end is popular among the gay community.

To get to Sandy Bay, you’ll need to walk south for 20 minutes along a pathway from the Llandudno parking lot. Its remoteness makes this beach a target for opportunist crime, so it’s best to visit during peak times or with a group of friends. There are no ablution facilities at Sandy Bay.