The 9 Best Beaches in Cape Town, South Africa 2020

Sun, sand, waves and loads of family fun are what great beach days are made of.

This is a list of the 9 best beaches that you can explore in Cape Town, South Africa. As a local it’s always amazing being a tourist in our own city and exploring the best beaches. And with travel being restricted, now is the best time to explore our magnificent beaches. 

1. Camps Bay beach 

Just down the road from Clifton you will find Camps Bay beach. This palm lined crescent shaped beach is another popular beach in Cape Town. This is  a popular beach for walks along the paved area or for a perfect day of family fun and games in the sand. Be sure to bring along your beach bats and volleyball. This beach is lined with restaurants (most of which are not Halaal). 

Tip: Come here for a sunset or a sunrise. Pack a picnic basket with. Grab a smoothie or coffee from Kauai or a coffee from Vidae and enjoy it at the beach or on the outside pavement.

2. Clifton beach 1-4 

These beaches are a mere 10 minutes away from the city center, situated in one Cape Town’s most sought after and affluent suburbs . Here you will enjoy soft white sand and majestic blue waters. All four of these beach coves are separated by boulders which shield  and protect you from Cape Town’s notorious wind. The waters are icy cold averaging 10 degrees Celsius (50F), making it a lovely escape on those exceptionally hot summer days. Pack or hire an umbrella bring your volleyball and other beach games and enjoy a lovely beach day in any one of these four beaches. 

Tip 1: Pack light as all four beaches are only accessible via stepped pathways and winding, narrow staircases. 

Tip 2: Arrive early as there is limited parking available. These beaches are popular among both locals and tourists in the summer months so the parking does tend to get full.

3. Sunset beach – this beach is one of the quietest beaches to relax in and boasts breathtaking views.

4. Lagoon beach – this beach is well known for its lagoon and awesome views.

5. Muizenberg beach – this beach is a surfers paradise with a buzzing atmosphere.

6. Strand beach – this beach has warmer water and relaxing atmosphere.

7. Bloubergstrand beach – this is a popular beach for kite surfing and for some of the best views of table mountain.

8. Hout Bay beach – white sand dunes and an amazing mountain view. Popular for swimming. Seals can be seen at this beach. Great place to get fish and chips. View list of things to do in Hout Bay for more options of what you can do while in Hout Bay.

9. Boulders Beach – home to a resident penguin colony and free roaming colony of African penguins.