The perfect beach day you say? Well, that can definitely be arranged! Cape Town’s upmarket suburb of Clifton is set on the slopes of Lion’s Head overlooking the azure Atlantic ocean. This seaside suburb is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty with pristine Blue Flag beaches, shimmering ocean and stunning mountainous backdrop. So, here’s all you need to know about the Clifton beaches.
The Clifton beaches are an incredibly popular spot in summer and rightly so!
Clifton Beaches
The Clifton beaches are divided by large granite boulders making up four distinct coves which are largely protected from Cape Town’s notorious South-Easterly winds. Named after the order in which they appear when travelling from the CBD, Clifton 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th beach have their own distinct personalities, each attracting a unique crowd.
Clifton 1st Beach
The 1st of the Clifton beaches is tucked away from the busy crowds but is just as easily accessible as the others. Most often frequented by locals and surfers, this beach (the only one of the four) has amazing waves, making it the perfect spot for water sports! For those who would rather lie on the sand and catch a tan, the water may be a tad too chilly for a swim but the exqusite views definitely make up for it.
Beachgoers enjoying the sun on Clifton 1st Beach
Clifton 2nd Beach
Another suburb stretch of sand. Clifton 2nd beach is popular among the laidback, younger crowd and beach sport enthusiasts. The more active beachgoer can enjoy a game of volleyball, beach bats, frisbee or whatever floats your boat, while the rest of us enoy being sprawled out in the southern hemisphere rays.
Clifton 2nd beach in all of its tranquil beauty
Clifton 3rd Beach
Possibly the prettiest of the Clifton Beaches and often, not as crowded as 4th beach! Clifton 3rd is popular among the Capetonian gay crowd - although plenty of straight people frequent this peaceful beach too. With the vibey atmosphere this beach exudes, you can easily turn your beach day into sundowners and watch the sun sink below the Atlantic horizon.
Enjoy the sand between your toes on the Clifton beaches
Clifton 4th Beach
Last but definitely not least, Cape Town’s famed 4th beach! With it’s pristine white sand, glistening waters and millionaire’s yachts anchored in the bay, you’ll have a hard time finding a more luxurious beach in Cape Town. A favoruite among Cape Town’s trendy residents and families alike, there is no better spot to spend your holi-days than on this soft sandy beach, watching the yachts bob on the sea while you soak up the sun.
Clifton 4th Beach is at the heart of the holiday season in Cape Town
The Nitty Gritty of the Clifton Beaches
Best time to visit
The warmest months of the year in Cape Town range from November to late March, with February being the hottest month of the year. The average daily temperatures during summer are between 17°C (63°F) and 28°c (82°F), although it can reach as high as 40°C (104°F).
The sunniest days in Cape Town are in December with the most recorded hours of sunlight, averaging around 13 hours of daylight per day - perfect for spending on the Clifton beaches!
How to get there
Located less than 5km (or 3 miles) away from the city centre, Clifton is the ideal summer day trip! In the height of summer, the Clifton beaches will be packed from dawn to dusk and parking is scarce, so we definitely recommend grabbing an Uber or a hotel shuttle - unless of course, you’re staying close enough to simply take a stroll to the beach!
Where to stay / Stay a while!
Speaking of, the ideal way to experience this up-market neighborhood is by staying in the uber-chic accommodation in Clifton and surrounds, where your South African beach holiday takes on an alluring appeal. The stylish crowd in Cape Town knows Clifton for being something of a haven for foreign jetsetters, like you 😉
The luxurious accomodation in Camps Bay and Clifton will have you feeling like a million bucks, Image Credit: POD Boutique Hotel
What to pack
We love walking barefooted on the warm beach sand just as much as the next person, but you will need a pair of sandals when walking on the sidewalk to get to the beach. While we’re on the topic of things that are hot, don’t underestimate the African sun, with a UV index of 6 and above in the summer months, it’s very important to always pack sunblock (yes, you read that right, sunblock, not tanning oil), a hat and a bottle of water.
All of this being said, make sure to pack light. Access to each bach requires that you descend a generous number of stairs before you’ll be able to kick back and relax. Typically, you don’t need cash anywhere in Cape Town but there are umbrellas and loungers available for hire on the various beaches, so make sure you have a small amount of cash with you on your beach outing.
Things to do
A day at the Clifton beaches can be much more than just sunbathing, beach sports and (not) swimming. During the summer months, those wanting a more relaxing beach experience can book a professional massage. One can charter a yacht for a champagne sunset cruise or even attend events on the beach, such as fire jamming, silent discos and even yoga classes!
There are no restaurants in Clifton itself, so if you plan to have lunch while you’re out, make sure you pack a picnic, otherwise, you’ll need to head to Camps Bay, where you can enjoy one of several world-class restaurants, bars and night clubs.
On balmy summer evenings, locals love ending their days with a sunset picnic on one of the Clifton beaches. If you arrive in the late afternoon, you'll discover a festive environment complete with blankets stretched out on the beach, geared up to watch one of Cape Town’s exquisite sunsets.
Enjoy the most stunning sunsets from the Clifton beaches
Expert Tips
While the Clifton beaches are much more protected than many other beaches in Cape Town, on very windy days, opt for either Clifton 2nd and 3rd as their cove formations provides the best protection from the wind.
If you're wanting to enjoy an alcoholic beverage, please be warned that in South Africa, it's illegal to drink alcohol on beaches. But don't let that get you down! There are plenty of gorgeous spots in Camps Bay where you can enjoy a refershing drink - and legally we might add!
An important note: None of the Clifton beaches have access for those who have mobility restrictions as all of the beaches need to be accessed via stairs.
Enjoy a glass of bubbly after an amazing day at the beach, Image Credit: Cafe Caprice via Facebook
Visit the Clifton Beaches on your Next Summer Vacay
Our Clifton beaches have appeared on numerous lists for being one of the best beaches in the world and it’s not hard to see why! From it’s exquisite views to its vacation vibe, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better beach to lounge on this African summer.
Are you ready to book your next beach holiday? Contact one of our Rhino Africa Travel Experts today!
