Cape Town, South Africa, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Apart from many attractions and sights, it offers various beautiful beaches for those who love to surf, sunbathe or play volleyball on the beach. In this article, you can discover the best beaches in Cape Town with a map of these beaches and learn about the best way to get to these beaches.
Cape Town Beaches Map
Cape Town has more than seventy beaches! Here is a map of the best beaches in Cape Town:
The Best Beaches in Cape Town
Cape Town has many beaches catering for the young and old. Let’s consider this list of the best beaches in Cape Town:
Cape Town’s Clifton beaches
Clifton has four different beaches, each in an alcove and protected against the wind. With most of these beaches, you must take steep stairs to get to the beach area. All the Clifton Beaches have vendors selling water and ice creams. Take public transport to these beaches, as parking spaces are limited, especially during peak season and on weekends.
Clifton Beach 1
Clifton Beach 1 has sandy white beaches with large granite boulders. You take a set of steep stairs to access the beach. There are lifeguards at Clifton Beach 1. If you’re looking for a peaceful day at the beach, this is the perfect beach for you. It is quieter than the other Clifton beaches.
Clifton Beach 2
Clifton Beach 2 caters more for younger people. It is the largest and trendiest of the beaches in Clifton. Here, you can play volleyball on the beach in the summer. It is a favourite with the LGBTQ crowd. The beach has a friendly vibe and is not too busy most of the time.
Clifton Beach 4
Clifton Beach 4 is the only Clifton Beach with a Blue Flag status. Visiting Clifton’s Fourth Beach is easier because it has a parking lot. There are lifeguards at Clifton 4th. You can also find toilets here.
What is a blue flag beach? A Blue Flag award is an international recognition for sustainable marinas, beaches and boating tourism operators. These places must comply with strict environmental, safety, educational, and accessibility criteria to qualify for the award.
Camps Bay Beach
Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, is next to the Clifton Beaches. Both tourists and locals love this beach. It is a blue flag beach with palm trees and views of Lion’s Head and the 12 Apostles. The ocean can get quite rough here and is not ideal for children. If you want a quieter, calmer spot for a dip, consider the tidal pool at Cams Bay Beach. You can find toilets here, and lifeguards are on duty during peak seasons. You can rent umbrellas and loungers. Click here to see the Camps Bay Beach Camera.
Furthermore, you will find many cafés, restaurants and bars in Camps Bay near the beach. Because this beach is so famous and parking spaces are scarce, it may be best to use the MyCity bus or a hailing service, such as Uber, when coming here on the weekend. During the week, it is much quieter.
Glen Beach
Cape Town’s Glen Beach is less well-known than Camps Bay Beach. It is just a short walk from Camps Bay Beach. If Camps Bay Beach is too busy for you, visiting Glen Beach may be better. Glen Beach is secluded in the corner of Camps Bay and has some wind protection. You have the same view of Lion’s Head and the 12 Apostles from Camps Bay Beach. You can easily walk from Glen Beach to Camps Bay or even one of the four Clifton Beaches. Don’t dive into the waves at Glen Beach, as there are sandbanks. It is a small beach and if you want to secure a spot during the peak season or on the weekend, be sure to get there early.
Bloubergstrand Beach
Bloubergstrand Beach is about 20 kilometres north of Cape Town on the Atlantic coast. It consists of numerous beaches. Here, the weather is perfect for kite surfing, and you can see Table Mountain in the distance. The area has multiple restaurants and bars where you can watch kite surfers.
These are some of the most accessible beaches to visit. There are many parking lots, and the MyCitiBus stops at several stops along Blouberg Beach.
Llandudno Beach
Cape Town’s Llandudno Beach is more secluded but stunning. It is also a blue flag beach with white sand and blue water. It often hosts amateur surfing competitions and is a favourite with bodybuilders. There are no restaurant options except for a small bar near the beach. Why not bring a picnic basket and spend the day here?
Llandudno is a residential area, and parking spots near the beach are limited. However, taking the MyCiti Bus will take you to the stop on Victoria Road, which is quite far from the beach. Uber may be your best option to get to Llandudno beach without worrying about parking.
You can easily visit Sandy Bay, Cape Town’s nudist beach, from Llandudno Beach.
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is one of Cape Town’s famous beaches because it is also the home of an African penguin colony. You can see these cute birds in their natural habitat for a small entrance fee. Just be aware that this beach doesn’t smell great because of the penguins! Large boulders protect the beach and penguins from the wind.
You can also see African penguins at Stony Point, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
You can find toilets and snacks at the Boulders’ Beach visitor centre. To get to Boulders Beach, having a car is best. Click here for car rentals. There is a parking lot, but spaces are limited. The MyCiti bus does not stop here. One of the best options to see Boulders Beach and the other attractions in the area is taking a tour. Here are tours covering the penguins at Boulders Beach:
- Penguin Encounter Boulders Beach Half Tour Day from Cape Town
- Cape Town: Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Shared Tour
Diaz Beach
One of the most secluded and romantic beaches in Cape Town is Diaz Beach. Sheer cliffs surround the beach. You can find Diaz Beach near Cape Point, and it is well worth a visit before or after visiting the Cape Point Nature Reserve. To get to this secluded beach, you must complete a reasonably strenuous walk of about 20 minutes. Be careful when swimming in the ocean here, as the currents can be intense. It is a favourite spot for local surfers and bodyboarders. Beware of stray baboons when you visit Diaz Beach.
Getting to Diaz Beach is challenging. Driving there is the only way to get there, as it is off the beaten path and not part of any Cape Point Nature Reserve tours. If you don’t have a car, click here to rent one.
Muizenberg Beach
Muizenberg Beach is another of Cape Town’s famous beaches. It is a blue flag beach known as one of the best surfing spots in Cape Town. You can find Muizenberg Beach, about 25 kilometres from Cape Town. The water here is warmer, and the waves are relatively tame, making it the perfect spot to learn how to surf at one of the many surf schools in the area. Many people will recognise Cape Town’s Muizenberg Beach from the photos of the brightly coloured beach huts on the beach. You can find toilets here and lifeguards. There are many restaurants and shops nearby.
Although there are several parking lots in the area, you may struggle to find a spot during the busier periods of the day.
Milton Beach and Sunset Beach
Milton Beach and Sunset Beach are two of the many beaches between the Cape Town city centre and Camps Bay. These beaches are near the Sea Point Promenade, where you can view Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. If you have children, they will enjoy the playgrounds on the promenade and the small tidal rock pools. There are many restaurants and cafés in this area. Many people run, cycle and rollerblade here.
St James Beach
St James Beach is not a typical beach. It has two tidal pools, perfect for children to play in. The one tidal pool has coloured beach huts, similar to those of Muizenberg Beach. From St James’s Beach, it is a short walk to shops and restaurants. Kalk Bay is near St James Beach’s second tidal pool and is worthy of a visit if you love good seafood.
Since St James Beach is not a proper beach, no facilities exist. You may have to use one of the restaurants or cafés nearby to change. Driving to St James is the best way to get there.
Beta Beach
This is a wonderfully secluded beach, but it is tiny and cannot cater for many people. It is sheltered and has stunning views of Lion’s Head. Because of its seclusion, you will find no facilities here. Take everything you may need with you. The best way to get to Beta Beach is by Uber. You may be able to find a parking spot, but it may be difficult as Beta beach is in a residential area. The MyCiti bus stops nearby at the Barley Bay or Bakoven stops.
Noordhoek Beach
Noordhoek Beach is not as well-known as some of the beaches in Cape Town, but it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the City. Here, you can find white sand beaches, blue waves and even the shipwreck of the Kakapo. This beach is usually quite windy, and swimming here is not great. This beach is best for horse riding or taking long walks.
As with the other more secluded beaches of Cape Town, there are no facilities here. The best way to get here is to drive. There are a few parking lots near Noordhoek Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Town’s Beaches
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Cape Town’s beaches:
Does Cape Town Have Beaches?
Yes, many! As you can see from this article, Cape Town has many beautiful beaches for visitors.
How Many Beaches Does Cape Town Have?
Cape Town has an extensive coastline of over 307 kilometres, stretching from the West Coast through the Cape Peninsula and False Bay areas. There are 72 beaches in Cape Town.
Can You Swim in The Ocean in Cape Town?
Yes, you can swim in the ocean around Cape Town, but the water is icy. For swimming, the beaches on the False Bay side of Cape Town have slightly warmer water, including Muizenberg Beach, St James Beach and Boulders Beach.
What should I wear to the beach in Cape Town?
Here is some inspiration for your beach wear when visiting a beach in Cape Town: