South Atlantic Beaches, South Africa

Photograph © Christine's Beach Cottage

The South Atlantic, running south along the west coast from Noordhoek to the tip Cape Point at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, offers an escape from the crowds of sun worshippers who flock to the better known beaches of Clifon and Camps Bay. The beaches of the South Atlantic, though a further drive, are rugged and unspoilt and are ideal for those looking for peace and quiet and natural beauty.

Noordhoek Beach, at the end of Chapman’s Peak drive and south of Hout Bay, has a gorgeous, incredibly wide expanse of sand perfect for long walks, horse riding and local surfers. Views of the bay are spectacular and the beach is lined with dunes that offer shelter from the wind. The beach borders on local wetlands and because of its size, is rather isolated so swimming or walking on your own are probably not a good idea.

Long Beach at Kommetjie is just that, a long, sandy beach very popular with surfers. There is also a large tidal pool here great for swimming and families with some spectacular views.

Witsands, between Kommetjie and Scarborough, is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers alike. For locals, this is a haven as it’s further from Cape Town and thus not very well known. The beach is big and there are plenty of sand dunes, which contribute to the beauty of the natural surrounds.

Misty Cliffs, situated below a conservation village of the same name, is wonderfully remote with some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic. Waves here can get notoriously big, so it isn’t really a swimmers paradise and even surfers take along an extra fin. It is popular with locals, divers and those wanting to escape it all.

Scarborough Beach is large with plenty of sand for sunbathing, popular with surfers and body boarders and has some beautiful views. Because it’s so far from Cape Town (it's the last residential suburb before Cape Point), it never gets crowded here although it can get busy in summer. When the wind blows, it’s an ideal spot for flying kites and kitesurfing.