What are the best beaches in South Africa to bask in the African sun? Summer is returning to Cape Town and the beach is all that’s on our minds. As we slip from the chilly clutches of winter into the ample bosom of the South African summer… and as you slip from your not-so Indian summer into the dark of a Northern Hemisphere winter, we thought it might be a good time to remind you of some of the best beaches in South Africa.
The 10 Best Beaches in South Africa
1. Clifton
With the Twelve Apostles Mountain as a backdrop, Clifton, like Camps Bay, is one of the most fashionable beaches in the city and is great for sunbathing (it’s well-protected from wind), a game of beach bats or the like on the pure white sand, swimming if you can stand the icy temperature of the Atlantic Ocean, sunset picnics and people-watching among the cool crowd.
10 minutes from the city centre, Clifton has 4 main beaches, each separated by granite boulders.
- 1st beach – the smallest beach; draws a mixed crowd of locals and surfers
- 2nd – popular with students playing beach volleyball and beach bats
- 3rd – a popular venue for gay culture
- 4th – the most populated and glamorous of the beaches; popular with families; awarded the Blue Flag award in recognition of its environmental, safety and tourist standards
Where To Stay in Clifton: Ellerman House
What’s a Blue Flag Beach? The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.
2. Camps Bay
A little piece of Miami in the heart of the Mother City, Cape Town. Trendy wine bars, chic hotels and gourmet restaurants line the palm-fronded boardwalk. What better spot to sup on a Castle lager as the red sun plunges into the Atlantic beyond the white sands and the bladers roll on by…
This is a popular beach for not only sun-bathing, but beach games like volleyball and sand castle building competitions.
Where To Stay in Camps Bay: Twelve Apostles
3. Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is a breeding colony for the endangered African Penguin. It’s a great family-friendly spot to visit on your Cape Town holiday, situated in False Bay, a bay fringed by 30 kilometres of white sandy beach, 40 kms from the city centre. You can observe penguins up close, as they swarm into the bay from sea, hop atop the boulders or waddle onto the sand and to their nests.
For more about these little happy feet critters, read our blog on the Marine 5! Read more in our blog, March of the Penguins.
Where To Stay in Boulders Beach: Colona Castle, Rodwell House and St James
4. Llandudno
Twenty kilometres south of Cape Town city centre, Llandudno is a local favourite and a more relaxed (aka less glamourous) beach than the Clifton and Camps Bay offerings. It’s great for picnics, surfing, body boarding, beach games, doggie outings, photography enthusiasts… you name it.
Parking is somewhat limited but once you’ve managed to find a spot, grab your towel and sunscreen and follow the path down to the soft white sand beach. Take an umbrella as well as snacks and drinks, as there are fewer hawkers out selling ice-lollies and cold Cokes.
Where To Stay in Llandudno: Tintswalo Atlantic
5. Paternoster
This stunning hamlet on the West Coast has a wonderful fisher-village ambiance from yesteryear. Once you visit, you’ll be hooked by the long beach littered with colourful boats and gregarious seagulls. There are a number of good eateries either on the beach or in the village.
Where To Stay in Paternoster: Abalone House
6. Plettenberg Bay
This is as close to paradise as you’re likely to get in this lifetime. Miles of long beaches, great hotels and restaurants and more places to stay than you can shake a stick at. Plettenberg is the playground of South Africa’s well healed and home of the Kurland International Polo Test series from December to April.
Located in Beachy Head Drive, the Blue Flag Robberg 5 Beach in Plettenberg Bay is a favourite of ours. It has a long stretch of sand that’s great for runners, swimmers, surfers and families to enjoy. The water is warm and calm, the waves gentle and great for swimming. Dolphins seem to enjoy Robberg 5 too, and can often be spotted frolicking in the waves. whale spotting in the winter months when the southern right whales visit
Where To Stay in Plettenberg Bay: The Plettenberg Hotel
7. Wilderness
Always a romantic spot with wild waves pounding a beach stretching almost to infinity, this has long been a favourite with lovers. Once the honeymoon is over, the tranquil lagoon will keep the kiddies fascinated.
There are some great day hikes, boating on Island Lake and a range of eateries to choose from in the village.
Where To Stay in Wilderness: The Views Boutique Hotel
8. Sodwana Bay
Explore a different side to South Africa at Sodwana, on the east coast between St. Lucia and Lake Sibhayi. Sodwana Bay is in the cultural heartland of KwaZulu Natal‘s Elephant Coast and is globally renowned for its biodiversity on land and below the ocean’s surface.
There’s plenty to do here for visitors – kick back and soak up the sun on the beach or play beach bats or frisbee, or if you’re up for something more unique, there’s scuba diving, horse back trails, boat trips and turtle tours, to name a few. It can get a bit crowded in peak season but it’s worth a visit.
Where To Stay in Sodwana Bay: Phinda Private Game Reserve or Tonga Beach Lodge
9. Longbeach, Noordhoek
It’s away from the maddening crowd and you’re likely to only bump into a few horses trotting along the beachfront and long-haired locals taking a stroll with their pooches or kids. If you want some peace and quiet while you ‘beach’, Longbeach is a great option. It’s long and flat, and picturesque with Chapman’s Peak towering in the background and the Kommetjie Lighthouse peaking out in the south.
Where To Stay in Noordhoek: Long Beach Last Word
10. Umhlanga
Umhlanga is fast becoming the hub of Durban on the East Coast– the promenade has been re-laid and there are luxury hotels aplenty to choose from, including the fabulous Beverly Hills and the new and spangly Oyster Box Hotel. This beach is great for sun bathing and light swimming. There are great restaurants and a relaxed seaside vibe, but our recommendation is a smaller, more intimate place just down the road…
Where To Stay in Umhlanga: Teremok Marine
Other great beaches in the region include Bronze Beach and Ushaka Beach, which is popular as the waters are calm. For surfing, North Beach or Battery Beach on the Suncoast are good options.
Fly to the best beaches in South Africa!
If the wild shores of South Africa’s 3000kms of uninterrupted coastline tickle your fancy, contact one of our travel experts and we’ll help you book the beach holiday of a lifetime. Outside of South Africa, the continent is host to several other extraordinary beaches you’ve only ever dreamed of as well – such as in Mozambique for starters, with the Quirimbas Archipelago.
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Dawn Overton
I guess I need to add this to my list of adventures !
yes you dooo! 🙂
yes you dooo! 🙂
lindo
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