BEACHES EXPLAINED
Camps Bay
Camps Bay has that whole California vibe, with palm trees lining the street, volleyball tournaments and beautiful people spilling out of cafes and bars. Parking isn’t the easiest, but there’s enough of it if you don’t mind a bit of a walk. If you’re in the mood for ice cream, Sinnful (upstairs between Summerville and Blues) will satisfy any sweet tooth. As with all beaches on the Atlantic coast, the water is cold, so brace yourself.
Boulders
Boulders is famous for its penguins but it is also a lovely beach for swimming. There is an entrance fee (R15 for adults and R5 for children) which gives you access to the walkways and viewpoints for penguins. Combine a trip to Boulders with a little visit to the historical Simon’s Town, where you can do some vintage shopping, stop for lunch, go on a boat trip or visit museums. It is a 20- to 30-minute walk from Boulders to Seaforth Beach, which is always fun for children with a raft permanently anchored a few metres from the shore that they can sit on or dive off.
Llandudno and Sandy Bay
Llandudno is easily Cape Town’s most beautiful beach; great for swimming if you can handle cold water. It’s a popular beach for surfing and is a residential area, so expect to fight locals for a parking spot. Arriving early is a good idea. Sandy Bay, just a little further on from Llandudno, is a well-known nudist beach and also a great spot for sundowners. Just a short drive from here is Hout Bay, with delightful lunching spots and beach bars, a craft market on Sundays, quick access to Chapman’s Peak and its own beach which is a good one for walking dogs.
Blouberg
This is undoubtedly the best place to see Table Mountain as it appears on postcards, so don’t forget to pack your camera. Ideal for kitesurfers and windsurfers as it’s often quite windy. Not great for swimming.
Noordhoek Beach
This is one of those beaches with something for everyone: good waves for surfing, horse riding (call Imhoff Farm 021 783 4545), and an endless swathe of sand for long walks to the Kakapo shipwreck. It’s a short drive to Noordhoek Farm Village, an arts and crafts centre with a number of good restaurants and activities for children.
Fish Hoek
Perfect for family outings: small waves, warm water, a jungle gym, rock pools. There’s also a grass area for those with an aversion to sand. Don’t leave without an ice cream from Drifters takeaway and a stroll along the beach walkway. Because the Indian Ocean coast is warmer, sharks are not unheard of here, but there are shark nets.
Best Beach for
Walking Noordhoek
Tanning Clifton
Adventure Dias Beach, Cape Point
Sundowners Camps Bay
Penguins Boulders
Swimming Fish Hoek
Family Llandudno
Nudity Sandy Bay