Other popular beaches on the False Bay coastline

Fish Hoek Bay, approximately 18 miles south of Cape Town, offers a long sandy beach and a scenic walkway along the coast.  This area is popular amongst families, divers and surfers.  Visible from Fish Hoek is Seal Island which supports a large colony of Cape Fur Seals as well as a small population of African Penguins.  The surrounding waters teem with marine life including pipefish, sea horses, whales, great whites and dog sharks.  Whales can often be spotted off shore with their young during October and November.

A fashionable resort in the early 1900s, Muizenberg has a sheltered, sandy beach flanked by colourful, wooden bathing huts.  Although the resort no longer has the glamour of its heyday, it is still popular with families and there are a selection of attractions for younger visitors as well as an art museum and the Zandvlei Nature Reserve. A scenic coastal pathway leads to the resort of St James where you will find another popular beach, brightly coloured bathing huts and a tidal pool.

Popular beaches on the Atlantic Seabord

The resorts on the Atlantic Seabord have become more popular in recent years and, although the water here is not as warm for bathing, the beautiful sandy beaches are better protected from the wind and arguably enjoy more sunshine.  The beaches here also boast spectacular, romantic sunsets.

Only 2 miles from Cape Town, the promenade at Sea Point attracts families and rollerbladers by the dozen every weekend.  And, although the beach is not ideal for bathing, there are other attractions such as playgrounds, ice cream vendors as well as a swimming pool at the Pavillion.

Clifton is currently the place to be seen and, whilst the water is too cold for swimming, all the beautiful people meet here in their designer beachwear, to soak up the sun on one of the four sandy coves.

Other beaches include Camps Bay, Llandudno, Hout Bay and Noordhoek.  The latter is considered by many to be the most beautiful stretch of beach on the peninsula. 

Outdoor activities are enjoyed all along the coast, including horse riding, kite flying, fishing, walking, cycling and surfing.  However, currents can be strong and not all beaches have a life guard present.

Visitors also flock to Cape Point at the tip of the peninsula to witness the joining of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.  Hop aboard the funicular for the short ride to the view point at the lighthouse – watch your hats though, the wind can be strong!  Enjoy a bite at the cliffside restaurant whilst you watch the crashing waves below or learn more about the peninsula at the Cape Point Nature Reserve Visitor Centre.  The most scenic way to get here by car is to follow the M6 out of Cape Town and along the Atlantic seabord via Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek, Misty Cliffs and Scarborough.