From secluded romantic picnics and suntanning to taking selfies with penguins, Cape Town beaches do not disappoint. Here’s our Ultimate Cape Town Beach Guide for Every Type of Traveller.
Llandudno
Location: Leeukoppie Road, Llandudno
Perfect For: Couples
Marked by a towering mountainous backdrop with imposing granite boulders hugging the cove and frigid Atlantic water spilling turquoise onto powder-white shores, Llandudno is a firm favourite with romantic couples.
Known as one of Cape Town’s most exclusive and secluded beaches, beachgoers can look forward to magical sunsets and exquisite views.
Clifton 4th
Location: Victoria Road, Clifton
Perfect For: Gen Z Travellers and Social Media Photoshoots
Protected from the blustering South Easter, Clifton 4th draws large crowds of beautiful people throughout the holiday season. Models and fashionistas from all over the globe descend onto this slice of Cape paradise for its sugary-white sand, luminescent waters and postcard horizon dotted with swanky yachts anchored just offshore. Join all the sizzling sunbathing bods, fit frisbee beachgoers and spirited volleyball players over the sweltering summer months.
Camps Bay Beach
Location: Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Perfect For: Families
Lined with trendy restaurants, delectable ice cream parlours and bustling beach activities, the Camps Bay strip provides plenty of family-friendly fun. Relax on the grassy banks under swaying palm trees for an afternoon picnic or dip into the frosty Atlantic Sea to cool down. Kiddies can bring along their beach bats, frisbee or favourite ball games for hours of beachside fun. Or venture to Camps Bay tidal pool with a playground, located at the far end of the beach.
Boulders Beach
Location: Kleintuin Road, Simon’s Town
Perfect For: Selfies with African Penguins
Located in the Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach gets its name from the ancient granite rocks along this area. Protected from the howling wind and large waves, spend the day with our world-renowned colony of African penguins. Have a picnic and swim in warm waters while snapping a few priceless moments with these cute little creatures, all in one afternoon.
Muizenberg Beach
Location: Beach Road, Muizenberg
Perfect For: Swimming and Surfing
Muizenberg Beach is one of the hottest surf spots in Cape Town. This beach gets jam-packed with shortboard rippers, stylish longboarders, wave warrior Stand Up Paddleboarders and frenetic swimmers throughout the year. The exposed beach break offers fun lefts and rights, producing plenty of rideable waves all summer.
Lagoon Beach
Location: Lagoon Gate Drive, Milnerton
Perfect For: Sunsets
Located a stone’s throw away from the Milnerton lighthouse, Lagoon Beach is one of the best spots to experience a jaw-dropping Cape sunset. Take your picnic basket and settle down on the soft sandy shore or book a table at one of the restaurants lining the beachfront to witness the red, pink, orange and purple hues painted across the sky. Water enthusiasts might want to grab their favourite craft and head out for an epic sunset session.
Bloubergstrand Beach
Location: Marine Drive, Cape Town
Perfect For: Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, and Stunning Views of Table Mountain and Robben Island
Capture stunning views of Table Bay, Table Mountain and Robben Island from Blouberg Beach front. This incredible stretch of coastline garners a well-deserved international reputation as one of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing areas in the world. The prevailing winds and powerful open ocean swell provide boarders ample opportunity to showcase unbelievable aerial acrobatics. A must-see spectacle!
Mnandi Beach
Location: Lukannon Drive, Strandfontein
Perfect For: Walking and Fishing
The limestone cliffs of Wolfgat Nature Reserve serve as an idyllic backdrop to a beautiful day out at Mnandi Beach. Awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Beach status since 2004, walking, fishing and water activities are tremendously popular pursuits at the spot. Stroll, jog or walk along the beach, skirting the False Bay waters. Or gear up and grab your hooks, lines and sinkers before casting off from demarcated fishing areas.
General Beach Safety Tips
- Always choose a lifeguarded beach. Swim between the designated red and yellow lifeguard flags.
- Supervise your kids, family and friends in the water, even in the lifeguarded flagged zone.
- Take time to read the information signage when entering a beach.
- Teach your kids to always go to the lifeguards if they get lost.
- If you find yourself in trouble, do not panic. Try to float on your back, raise your arms and call for help. Never try to swim against a rip current.
- Never use inflatables such as small boats or mattresses at the beach.
- If you see someone in trouble, alert the lifeguards or call sea rescue.
- Never enter the water to rescue someone without calling emergency services first. Also, never enter the water without emergency flotation like the NSRI pink rescue buoy, found at most beaches.
- Be sure to stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
Don’t forget to download Namola, SA’s most trusted safety app, for free:
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