Cape Town boasts an impressive 82 beaches, thanks to its peninsula shape, which means it’s almost an island surrounded by coast on three sides. If you’re visiting Cape Town, hitting at least one beach is a must. My love for the sea—complete with its clingy, soft sand—drives me to explore and write about our city’s stunning beaches.

The coast here is divided into three main areas. False Bay, just a 5-minute walk from my place, includes popular spots like Muizenberg, St. James, Fish Hoek, and the beaches of Simon’s Town. This side tends to have warmer water, about 6 degrees warmer than the other coastlines, making it ideal for swimming. The Atlantic Seaboard, where my sister lives, is perfect for windsurfing due to frequent windy conditions on the West Atlantic side. Lastly, the West Coast stretches north from Cape Town, featuring beaches like Langebaan.

Camps Bay

Camps Bay is a standout among them. It’s a trendy spot where locals, tourists, and celebrities gather. You can walk your dog, play beach volleyball, sunbathe, or just admire the views of Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The road along the beach is lined with impressive restaurants where you can enjoy the scene without even getting your feet wet. Camps Bay is understandably packed during peak summer—it’s a fantastic beach with great food options to match.

Clifton

Clifton is actually a collection of four beaches, each with its own charm. The beaches are known for their white sand and impressive boulders that help block the wind. While any of the four are worth a visit.

 

Llandudno

It’s a bit far from the city center, but Llandudno is a pristine beach with soft white sand and icy blue water. With no restaurants nearby, be sure to pack your own food. It’s an ideal spot for watching the sunset and is usually much less crowded than Camps Bay or Clifton.

Blaauwberg

This picture-perfect spot offers stunning views of Table Mountain and has several nearby restaurants. It’s windy enough for kite surfing, surfing, and other water sports, yet mild enough to enjoy a day on the beach without sand blowing in your face

Big bay

This beach is close to Blaauwberg and has a collection of lovely restaurants where you can indulge in delicious food while watching the waves. There also happens to be a cute mall with a collection of shops with interesting items. There’s a gift shop close to Pick n Pay, a shop that sells Boho-inspired clothes, swimwear, etc., and a curio shop that sells wax-printed clothing, laptop cases, books, and more. There’s also a massive frame that just begs you to take a photo in front of it, located in an Instagramable spot you won’t be able to miss.

 

Muizenberg

The go-to surfing spot has amazing restaurants such as Easy Tiger, Tigers Milk, and Knead. Muizenberg is best known as surfers central and the beach with the colourful beach huts. The beach huts have made Muizenberg an Instagrammable spot. During the summer, there are also lifeguards on duty, including trained shark spotters. If you hate the sand at the beach, you can swim in one of the pools, although you have to pay an entry fee to swim there. For thrill-seekers, there’s a water slide. There’s a kids park close by and a putt-putt course. And if you walk a bit further away, you will find the pretty public park. Muizenberg also has a cool little book shop called Paper Moon. And finally, if you walk for about 24 minutes along the catwalk from Muizenberg, you will find St. James. Read more here: Muizenburg

St. James

This is a smaller beach compared to Muizenberg, but it does feature a tidal pool. It’s rocky at the bottom, but it can be nice to swim in, especially when the tide is lower. St. James also has colourful beach huts, but, there aren’t lots of restaurants lined along the beach. I often travel to Muizenberg and walk to St. James; it’s super close by, and if you follow the catwalk, you won’t miss it.

Kalk Bay

This small seaside community bustles with fishermen at the harbour, where you will find seals and Kalkys, one of the most affordable seafood restaurants that serves the catch of the day. There are many cute boutique stores and a wonderful book shop. Kalk Bay even has a tiny beach, a train line, and a theatre. Cape to Cube is a popular restaurant slash bar that comes with beach sand floors and indoor swings.

 

Fishhoek

It’s a great beach to take a beach walk on as it stretches a bit further. Close by, you will find Spur and KFC, along with lesser-known restaurants. There’s a play park for kids, and lifeguards are normally on duty. I spotted a whale at this beach last September and saw a number of kayakers.  If you’re planning on visiting the False Bay beaches, this one tends to be less full than Muizenberg. However, on certain days, like the 1^st of January, almost all of Cape Town’s beaches are full.

Seaforth

There are many locals who don’t know about Seaforth. It’s the lesser-known cousin of Boulders. At Seaforth, you might also spot penguins that are protected behind a barrier with a San Parks ranger on duty. People have stolen penguin eggs in the past, and now there’s more protection. At Seaforth, there’s a beautiful restaurant. There is now a little market where you can buy jewellery, clothes, and other keepsakes. And you can rent a kayak and paddle with the penguins. The beach has trees and a grassy area perfect for picnics. There are also many boulders creating a tidal pool like effect, and the beach stretch is cove-shaped, which often protects you from the wind. Do note, though, that at Seaforth there aren’t any lifeguards on duty.

Boulders Beach

This is one of the few beaches in Cape Town where you have to pay to enter. Boulders are home to a thriving African penguin colony. All proceeds from the entry fee are used to conserve these endangered, adorable birds. Tourists and locals alike are allowed to swim and take photos with the penguins. Please note, though, that you should keep a distance of 300 meters between you and the penguins. But if they waddle right up to you, it’s totally fine to take photos; just don’t chase them down.

Strand

My brother is a fan of Strand, it’s one of his favourite places. The area is also dotted with wonderful places to eat. It’s a relatively big beach, and the wind tends to be mild. For me, however, the water is icy cold. It’s a beach I never swim on, but it’s great for walking with my feet in the water and taking beach walks.

Houtbay

Situated close to the harbour, you might spot the chubby seals. Houtbay is where I often did beach cleanups in primary school. It also has a fantastic restaurant, and the Mariners Wharf is close by. From there, you can see the pretty beach. And the food at Mariners Wharf has never disappointed me. I don’t even love seafood, but I make the exception for seafood served by this restaurant. Houtbay also has a number of other restaurants and a market operating on Saturdays, and you can take a trip to Seal Island from there.

Cape Town’s beaches each offer a unique slice of paradise, from the bustling sands of Camps Bay to the tranquil shores of Llandudno. Whether you’re seeking adventure with windsurfing, a serene sunset view, or simply a delightful beach day, our coastline has something for everyone. As someone who’s deeply connected to the sea, I can assure you that exploring these beaches will make your Cape Town visit unforgettable. Enjoy the sand, surf, and sun, and immerse yourself in the beauty of our stunning beaches.

Thank you for reading and please feel free to leave comments, in the comment section below.