Best Beaches in Cape Town

Located near Simon’s Town on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town, South Africa, Boulders Beach - also known as Boulders Bay - is a small white sand beach with unique granite rock formations.  The beach is part of the well-known Table Mountain National Park and is adjacent to Foxy Beach.  It has a spectacular backdrop of gigantic granite boulders, dunes, coastal vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, which together add allure to its beauty.  

Boulders Beach is immensely popular for its resident colony of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus), protected under the Cape Nature Conservation Program.  Boulders Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by UK-based financial website Money.co.uk and ranked 12th best beach by Big 7 Travel, and it is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  The beach is one of the few places in the world where you can observe these endangered birds up close in their natural habitat.  The penguin colony at Boulders Beach started in 1982 with just two breeding pairs.  Today, it has grown to over 3,000 birds, making it a major tourist attraction in Cape Town and drawing a large influx of visitors.  The beach has elevated boardwalks that allow visitors to observe the penguins without disturbing their habitat.  In addition, the beach is a site for educational programs and conservation efforts to protect penguins and their environment.  Also, conservationists have installed artificial nest boxes to provide safe nesting sites for the penguins, helping to boost their breeding success.  Despite being in a protected area, the Boulders Beach penguins face threats from natural predators, human disturbance, and environmental changes.

On crowded summer days, this small beach can fill up quickly and there is limited parking on nearby side streets so be sure to plan ahead. Bikini Beach has many popular amenities including restrooms, changing rooms, and showers. This beach is also famous for having gorgeous sunsets so we recommend staying until sundown.

Bikini Beach is sheltered by the harbor wall so the water is calm with little to no waves, making it great for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. Volleyball is popular here, and it’s also the perfect place to have a picnic. If you want a little exercise, the Crystal Pools are a 10-minute drive from Bikini Beach and offer a two-hour hike that leads to amazing natural rock pools and a waterfall.

When you get hungry, there are two restaurant options located directly next to Bikini Beach. Harbour Lights Restaurant offers fresh seafood and patio seating that overlooks the harbor. The Thirsty Oyster Tavern is a popular pub with a casual atmosphere that serves fresh fish caught by local fishermen. If you want to stay overnight, Bikini Beach offers some private Airbnb and guest house rentals. To stay in a larger hotel, check out the Krystal Beach Hotel that’s only a 5-minute drive from Bikini Beach and has luxury rooms with panoramic sea views.

The bright turquoise waters at Clifton Beach are cold but also calm due to mountains and boulders that block the notorious southeast winds. By late summer, this unique wind condition causes extra sand to be redeposited onto the shoreline. During this time, the shore is wider and pedestrians can easily walk along the waterline from 1st Beach to 4th Beach. Clifton Beach is only accessible by stepped pathways and narrow staircases. There is a small parking lot located near 4th Beach and limited free parking along Victoria Road. During summer days, these parking options fill up quickly so make sure to plan ahead.

Each section of Clifton Beach attracts a diverse group of people of all ages. 1st Beach is laid-back and dog-friendly so you will usually find a more easygoing crowd. It has the strongest current and is a popular spot for surfers and bodyboarders. 2nd Beach tends to be filled with a younger crowd, particularly college students, while 3rd Beach is usually lively and welcoming to all types of beachgoers and activities. Finally, 4th Beach is most popular among families, locals, and vacationers. It is the only beach in Clifton with Blue Flag status and has the weakest current perfect for casual swimming.

If you need a break from the sand, Table Mountain offers plenty of daily activities and hikes to enjoy amazing views. You can take a cable car 1,000 meters up the mountain to get a 360-degree view of Cape Town and all of its neighboring suburbs. You can easily buy cable car tickets online or at the on-site box office where prices range from $10-$20 (R200-R360).

After your busy day, head to The Bungalow to enjoy a meal while overlooking a view of Clifton Beach and a paragliding landing spot. The Bungalow is also a trendy spot for Sunday brunch where the energetic crowd could fool anyone into thinking it was a Saturday night. Clifton is home to some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa, so you’ll find amazing Airbnb and hotel options. 21 Nettleton is a highly recommended boutique luxury hotel that offers spectacular views and a secluded atmosphere.

The waters at Llandudno Beach tend to be cold with slightly rough currents due to mild winds. Surfers are recommended to wear wetsuits while beginner swimmers should stay in the shallow areas. Llandudno Beach is only accessible through a residential neighborhood where parking is available on local side streets. These spots fill up quickly so make sure to plan ahead and get there early. You’ll often run into photoshoots on the beach as this is a popular spot for photographers and models, especially during sunset.

Llandudno Beach is the perfect place for sunbathing, picnics, and sand sports. Since this quiet neighborhood lacks tourist amenities, including public restrooms, make sure to come prepared with all your necessary items such as food, sunscreen, and towels. Hout Bay is only a 10-minute drive from Llandudno Beach and is the closest town to offer nearby shops, restaurants, and accommodations. If you're seeking a different experience, take a short walk along the water of Llandudno Beach to find Sandy Bay Beach, also known as Cape Town's official nude beach.

Located only a 40-minute drive from Cape Town on the northeastern edge of False Bay, Strand Beach is popular with families, vacationers, and locals for its fun atmosphere and close proximity to a large number of activities. Parking is available in nearby lots and side streets but can fill up quickly on crowded summer days so be sure to plan ahead.

The warm shallow water is great for swimming, kayaking, bodyboarding, and surfing. The wave breaks are safe and suitable for all surfing levels, including beginners. During low tide, there are many rock pools for children to explore. The white sand stretches five kilometers and has plenty of space for long walks, runs, and all beach activities. If you need a break from the sand, Water World is located directly on the shoreline and has water slides, jungle gyms, rock climbing walls, and a small food court. Further south you’ll find an Olympic-sized public swimming pool located next to the Strand Pavilion.

If you get hungry, the promenade runs parallel along the entire shoreline and has many coffee shops, cafés, and restaurants. We like Ben's On The Beach Grill, a family-friendly restaurant that offers international and local dishes and spectacular views across False Bay. Another option is De Brasserie, a Belgian restaurant with outdoor seating and gorgeous sunset views. If you’re looking for a late-night drink, check out Casa del Sol, a restaurant and cocktail lounge that’s located on the promenade and has indoor and patio seating.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, the city of Strand is known for its unique mix of beachfront high-rise buildings and 70’s-style homes that offer many luxury accommodations. The Strand Pavilion is one of the most popular and is the only resort in South Africa that’s built on the beach and which also extends 25 meters over the ocean. Another option is the Ocean Breeze Hotel and Conference Center, a large family-friendly hotel with panoramic views of the sea and an on-site restaurant. For quainter accommodations check out Villa the President, the former home of South Africa president Jim Fouché that has been turned into a luxury guesthouse with two private rooms.

Stretching almost 15 kilometers, this beautiful coastline offers white sand and turquoise waters. There’s a plethora of activities to enjoy under the sun like volleyball, long walks, sunbathing, and picnics. Also known as “Surfer’s Corner,” Muizenberg Beach is renowned for its massive waves and great surfing conditions for surfers of any skill level. You’ll also find many beachgoers enjoying the waves to bodyboard, swim, kitesurf, and snorkel. If you want a break from the sand, check out the nearby Muizenberg Pavilion that offers water slides, a swimming pool, and a mini-golf course.

If you’re looking to start your morning off right, enjoy a casual breakfast at Hang Ten Café, a typical surfer’s hangout famous for its breakfast crepes. You can also hang out with the locals at Blue Bird Garage Market on Fridays from 4 pm to 10 pm. This unique market is located in an old postal hanger and offers a collection of fresh food, handcrafted jewelry, and clothes from local vendors. For a lively night out, visit the The Brass Bell for a pub-style bar experience where you can sing your heart out with the locals during karaoke night on Wednesdays.

Located in the affluent suburb of Camps Bay in Cape Town, South Africa, Camps Bay Beach is a one-kilometer-long and 100-meter-wide white sand beach with many rocky portions, making it one of the largest beaches in Camps Bay.  The beach has a stunning backdrop of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range, the majestic Table Mountain, and a promenade with many oceanfront buildings, including upscale restaurants, beach bars, nightclubs, and opulent hotels, providing incredible views of the vast Atlantic Ocean.  Camps Bay Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag certification for its natural beauty, cleanliness, and water quality standards.