South Africa guide › South Africa's coast and beaches
What are the best beaches in Cape Town?
Clifton and Camps Bay for the setting, Muizenberg for a swim without chattering teeth, and Bloubergstrand for the classic view of Table Mountain. Cape Town has two coasts: the Atlantic side, stunning but cold at 12–16°C (54–61°F), and False Bay, east of the peninsula, which is milder.
The beaches, coast by coast:
- Clifton: four small coves of white sand between granite boulders (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Beach), sheltered from the south-easter and reached by steep steps; 4th Beach is the most family-friendly.
- Camps Bay: the showcase beach, lined with palms, cafés and restaurants beneath the Twelve Apostles; perfect at sunset, but exposed to the wind.
- Llandudno: a wild cove between huge boulders, 20 minutes from the centre; parking is very limited, so arrive early.
- Muizenberg (False Bay): a long beach with colourful bathing huts, gentle waves, beginner surf schools and shark spotters.
- St James: striped huts and a tidal pool sheltered from the waves, ideal with kids.
- Fish Hoek: a calm bay with a shark exclusion net in season.
- Bloubergstrand: north of the city, with the postcard view of Table Mountain across the bay, and a favourite with kitesurfers.
- Noordhoek: 8 km (5 miles) of wild sand for walking or horse riding, not for swimming.
The wind calls the shots. In summer (November to March) the south-easter often howls in the afternoon: Clifton and Llandudno stay sheltered while Camps Bay and Blouberg get sandblasted. Winter (June to August) is the rainy season, but the clear days are glorious.
At car parks, informal car guards in hi-vis vests watch your car for a few coins (R5 to R10, about US$0.30 to US$0.60, when you leave). Don't leave anything on the sand while you swim or on show in the car, and walk isolated beaches such as Noordhoek in a group.
Verdict: spend a day on the Atlantic side (Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno) and half a day on False Bay (Muizenberg, St James), combined with the Boulders penguins and Cape Point. For truly warm water, see our guide to swimming in South Africa.
Tip: check the wind forecast, not just the sunshine: a sunny day with a strong south-easter belongs at Clifton, not Camps Bay.
Information checked in November 2026; confirm before you travel.
More landmarks in this section
- Where are the best beaches in South Africa for swimming?
- What to see on the Garden Route, South Africa?
- What to see at Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope?
- Boulders Beach: where to see penguins in Cape Town?
- When is whale season in Hermanus?
- Can you still see great white sharks in South Africa?
- What to see on the Wild Coast, South Africa?