Top 10 Beaches
In Cape Town
Cape Town has the highest number of Blue Flag beaches in South Africa. Ten of the city’s most popular beaches have been recognised for meeting the globally-acclaimed Blue Flag standards.
The Blue Flag status indicates that our beaches all have their own environmental education programmes; are environmentally sound; adhere to safety criteria and security standards; that bathing water is of the highest standard; beaches are clean; ablution facilities are adequate and there is parking.
Cape Town Marinas with full Blue Flag status include: the False Bay Yacht Club, the Water Club and Harbour Island.
Expanding the number of Blue Flag beaches in our City is an important goal, as it will further promote the city as a premier international beach holiday destination.
Bikini Beach, Gordons Bay
A sleepy seaside village just over half an hour from Cape Town. It offers a quiet, romantic beach retreat and some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see.
Gordon’s Bay is about slowing down, skipping the crowds, and spending quality time exploring one of the best-kept secrets of the Western Cape.
Camps Bay
The playground of the “it” crowd – whether you want to spend some time on the white sandy beach, take a dip in one of the tidal pools or sip on cocktails on the strip.
During the summer season, particularly the festive season, Camps Bay is the place to see and be seen in Cape Town.
Clifton 4th
Perfect for beach goers who want to laze around and soak up the rays.
Yachts also usually anchor off here during the summer season when sunsets are as late as 8.30pm. This beach has also been awarded the Blue Flag status in recognition of its safety and tourist standards.
Fish Hoek
Undoubtedly one of the most popular beaches in Cape Town. It is situated on Beach Road in Fish Hoek and is beside the bustling main road where there are plenty of restaurants and shops..
The beach is ideal for sunset viewing, swimming and various water sports from paddle boating to surfing. There are lifeguards and sharkspotters on duty, and a shark exclusion net is installed during the peak season.
Llandudno
This picturesque cove lies at the foot of one of the city’s most affluent suburbs. Llandudno Beach is a relatively isolated, beautiful Blue Flag beach popular for sunbathing and sundowners.
The beach is surrounded by natural bush and milkwood forest. Judas Peak and Klein Leeukoppie (‘little lion’s head’) rise up on either side of the bay.
The sea is flanked by granite boulders and there are a series of caves amongst the rocks. The rocky headland to the left of the beach is known as Sunset Rocks.
Melkbosstrand
A seven-kilometre white sandy beach popular with surfers, and has beautiful views of Table Mountain.
Melkbosstrand Beach is the ideal location for long walks, surfing, sunset viewing, swimming, kitesurfing, crayfishing, boating and windsurfing.
Mnandi
Situated within a day resort with excellent facilities, including a large freshwater pool with water slides.
It has landscaped lawns with playground equipment, as well as picnic tables and braai sites, kiosks, and seating areas. During peak periods in summer, lifeguards keep watch over this stretch of beach that is safe for swimming. This beach also offers scenic views of the Wolfgat Nature Reserve’s limestone cliffs.
Muizenberg
Muizenberg has been a popular destination for beach-goers for hundreds of years.
The beach is popular with families as the nearby Muizenberg Pavilion offers a water slide, outdoor swimming pool and putt-putt (mini-golf) course. A walk along the seafront walkway (from Muizenberg to St James) offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the shoreline, rock pools, and engage in some whale watching from June to November.
Silwerstroomstrand
Is a Blue Flag beach and is ideal for safe swimming in the sea. There is also a tidal pool for those wanting a warmer dip without the waves.
Day visitors can enjoy the picnic sites and braai areas, while holidaymakers can stay in the bungalows or caravan park at the nearby resort.
A slipway is available for boat launching, and the shore angling is particularly good for hottentot fish during January and February. Silwerstroomstrand Beach is ideal for long walks, as it extends as an unbroken stretch of sand for three kilometres.
Strandfontein
Is a Blue Flag beach situated on the False Bay coastline and is well known for having the biggest tidal pool in the southern hemisphere.
A large number of events are often staged here as there is an amphitheatre. The beach also offers three kiosks, seating areas and a braai area.
Strandfontein Beach is known for its relatively safe swimming conditions and voluntary lifesaving clubs, including the Strandfontein Lifesaving Club. The local NSRI is also based here. Lifeguards are on duty during the Blue Flag season which runs from 1 December to 31 March.
Study
Cape Town is Africa’s most desirable city for students. Now that you can study virtually from anywhere, why not do it from Cape Town with some of the most picturesque college campuses in South Africa.
Play
Cape Town is an adventure seeker’s paradise. You could stay for weeks and still not tick off all the activities on offer. From paragliding to kayaking, kitesurfing and sand boarding, Cape town offers all the high speed thrills.