|
 |
CAPE TOWN BEACHES
|
|
|
|
|
| Cape Town Beaches / The Atlantic
Ocean Beaches of Cape Town: The Mother City has some of the most beautiful
beaches in the world and something to offer everyone. It is no surprise that South Africa
was one of the first countries outside of Europe to earn blue flag status for some of her
beaches - there are three on offer in and around Cape Town. The blend of two oceans and
two very different styles of beach, divided by a 1000m high peninsula that earned Cape
Town her name, leaves Cape Town unrivalled and a holiday destination of note. |
|
 THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
BEACHES |
| • TABLE BAY |
| • Big Bay |
| • Table View |
| • Dolphin Beach |
| • Blouberg - Big
Bay and Little Bay |
| • Sunset Beach |
| • Milnerton |
| • ATLANTIC
SEABOARD |
| • Mouille Point |
| • Sea Point,
Saunders, 3 Anchor Bay |
| • Clifton |
| • Camps Bay (Glen
Beach, Maiden's Cove) |
| • Bakoven |
| • Llandudno |
| • Sandy Bay |
| • Hout Bay |
| • SOUTH OF
ATLANTIC SEABOARD |
| • Noordhoek |
| • Long Beach |
| • Misty Cliffs |
| • Witsands |
| • Scarborough |
| Click for » INDIAN OCEAN BEACHES |
|
|
 |
|
|
Cape Town Beaches on the Atlantic
Coast: The west side of the Cape Peninsula has a very definite style of beach.
This is where the more fashionable set go to see and be seen, particularly along the
Atlantic Seaboard, also known as Cape Town’s ‘Riviera’, which stretches
from the V&A
Waterfront on the north shore of Table
Mountain up as far as Hout Bay and is connected by one of the most picturesque, scenic
drives along Victoria Road.
Beaches here enjoy longer sunshine hours, incomparable sunsets and more protection from
‘the Cape Doctor’ (Cape Town’s infamous south easterly) than the False Bay
side of the Cape peninsula. There is a spectacular selection of unspoilt beaches with seas
that are usually 3 to 4 degrees colder than the Indian Ocean but this doesn’t seem to
worry anyone soaking up the sun against the backdrop of blue skies and white sands.
North of the Atlantic Seaboard are the beaches of Table Bay. These sport the
picture-postcard views of Cape Town over Table Mountain and Robben
Island and tend to be more popular with locals, particularly kitesurfers.
Beyond Hout Bay, beaches such as Noordhoek and Scarborough are less frequented but no less
beautiful, rather they’re where the locals can get away from the crowds. |
|
Cape Town Beaches of Table Bay:
Where: north of Clifton, ± 20 km from Cape Town
Includes: Blouberg’s Big Bay and Little Bay, Table View, Dolphin and
Milnerton
Why go there: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, swimming, kite flying,
paddle skiing, rock pools & walking.
The fact that these beaches are great for windsurfing and kitesurfing should alert one to
the wind factor. Table Bay’s beaches can be unpleasant when the wind blows but
nothing beats these beaches for their view of Table Mountain and Robben Island and the
miles of sand on which to stretch your legs. The acrobatics of kitesurfers will keep you
entertained if you’re not working on your tan or taking a quick dip.
Big Bay: Big Bay has two rocky outcrops that jutt out into the sea,
creating a bay. Blouberg has some lovely rock pools and the viewpoint from here of the bay
and Table Mountain has graced many a postcard.
Table View: Table View
has a number of restaurants and venues for sundowners and Dolphin beach
is the first of this series of beaches reached from the M14 and synonymous with
kitesurfing.
Milnerton: Milnerton is well known for its lighthouse, which sits virtually on
the beach and is great for swimming as, unlike Dolphin beach, it is manned by lifeguards.
There are also a number of beach cafes and restaurants here. |
|
Cape Town Beaches of the Atlantic
Seaboard:
Where: from the V&A Waterfront to Hout Bay
Includes: Mouille Point, Seapoint, Three Anchor Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay,
Bakoven, Llandudno,
Sandy Bay, Hout Bay
Why go there: To be seen, to people watch, natural beauty, little wind,
surfing, swimming, all over tanning, volley ball and sundowners.
Mouille
Point, Seapoint and Three
Anchor Bay don’t have much beach to speak of - they’re more ocean front than
beach. However, Saunders Rocks at Seapoint has a little tidal pool and Three Anchor Bay
has a tiny, little beach. It’s the promenade that draws people here. This walkway is
right near the sea and is a haunt of joggers, walkers, dog walkers and families.
Clifton: Clifton is an extremely popular hangout for locals and international
jet setters - you’re here to be seen and to share space with the latest designer
costumes and sunglasses. Clifton has four beaches called 1st, 2nd etc and 4th beach has
blue flag status, not least because of the turquoise water and white sands. These beaches
are Cape Town’s premier beaches, divided by granite boulders and packed with
beautiful people in summer.
Camps Bay: Camps Bay just up the road from Clifton, is a long, sandy beach with
palm trees and a fantastic promenade lined with trendy restaurants, cafes and cocktail
bars. Here Cape Town’s fashionable set mingle with visitors to the city against one
of the most beautiful backdrops of Lion’s Head and the 12 Apostles. The beach is very
popular for sundowners and in hot weather it’s a beach paradise. From Camps Bay you
can walk to Glen Beach - a small beach set in a little enclave and great for surfing - and
Maiden’s Cove, which is very much a family beach just in front of the Glen Country
Club. Bakoven gets a mention because of its natural beauty - big boulders, white sands and
a gorgeous setting. But it’s smallish and zealously protected by territorial local
residents.
Llandudno: Llandudno, set in an exclusive neighbourhood, is one of the most
photogenic beaches in Cape Town and definitely one of the most beautiful. If you’re
not a strong swimmer then settle for a dip as the currents are strong but great for
surfers and sunsets here are notorious. Parking can be a bit of a headache but this does
mean it doesn’t get too crowded.
Sandy bay: Sandy Bay, a bit of a clamber across the boulders from
Llandudno or a walk from the car park, is enclosed by sand dunes and well protected from
the wind. It’s Cape Town’s nudist beach and not as busy as the other beaches,
possibly because of the walk. But you can escape the crowds here and don’t have to be
naked in order to experience the beach.
Hout Bay: Hout Bay is a protected harbour bay great for walks and horse riding
with spectacular mountain surrounds and views over the Holland Hottentots Mountains in the
distance. The Chapman’s Peak side of the beach is better for sunbathing and swimming
is good here as the waves are gentle. Fish and chips are the order of the day and a stroll
along the pier to view the fishing boats is a treat, particularly if you can spot the odd
Cape Fur seal or whale, during season. |
|
Cape Town Beaches South of the
Atlantic Seaboard
Where: South of Hout Bay
Includes: Noordhoek, Long Beach, Witsands, Misty Cliffs, Scarborough
Why go there: Walking, horse riding, surfing, natural beauty, escape the
crowds
Noordhoek Beach: 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: 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: 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: Misty Cliffs 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: Scarborough is the last residential suburb before Cape
Point. The 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
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. |
|
Click to view » Cape
Town's Indian Ocean Beaches |
|
« Western Cape | Cape Town Restaurants | Cape Town
Golf Clubs » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
