If you are taking a trip to Cape Town, you will want to head out to the beaches. There are a lot of beaches around Cape Town, but you need to consider which ones you should be visiting. There are certain beaches that are perfect for families while others offer a bit more seclusion from the main tourist areas.
Clifton Beaches
The most popular beaches in Cape Town are the Clifton Beaches. There are 4 Clifton Beaches and they are just 10 minutes’ drive from the city center. The beaches are covered in soft white sand and each caters to a different demographic.
Clifton Beach 1 is adjacent to luxury apartments and attracts a lot of locals and holidaymakers. Clifton Beach 2 is also open to everyone and you will see a range of people on the sand. Clifton Beach 3 has a younger crowd and is the most lively of the four. The last beach is ideal for families and is very family-friendly while being extremely popular.
Regardless of the beach you head to, the Clifton Beaches are ideal for sunbathing and relaxing on the sand. There are few activities and people-watching is the most common pastime.
Boulders Beach
If you are looking for something a little different from Clifton, you should head to Boulders Beach. This beach offers the soft sand of all the others, but the sea is slightly warmer. It is also home to a colony of African penguins.
These penguins are endangered and visitors can watch them strut between the granite boulders on the beach. Boulders Beach is 40km south of Cape Town and is just beyond Simon’s Town. This beach is great for the whole family and you will be able to swim safely in the sea. You can also stop here on your way to or from the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Camps Bay
After the Clifton Beaches, Camps Bay is probably the best-known of the Cape Town beaches. It draws holidaymakers and locals making is a great place to visit. From the curving crescent of the beach the Twelve Apostles range of Table Mountain, the beach offers an environment that everyone loves.
There are times when the wind picks up on the beach, but you can head to the restaurants and bars that surround the beach for seafood. This idyllic beach can get busy during peak seasons and is not the best option for people wanting seclusion.
Muizenberg
If you are traveling with the family, you need to head to Muizenberg. This is the ultimate family beach and a favorite for surfers. You will often see locals with their dogs and families enjoying a day in the sun.
The water here is warmer and the beach has Blue Flag status making is very safe to swim. If you want some surfing lessons, this is the place to go as there are a number of companies operating from the beach. You can also relax around the colorful Victorian bathing boxes.
Blouberg
If you want a bit more action while on the beach, you should head to Blouberg. This coastline offers a few beaches from Dolphin Beach to Big Bay. It is also the best place for anyone who wants to kite or windsurf.
If you want to kitesurf, Big Bay is the best destination and the host of many international competitions. Small Bay is better if you want to enjoy the water with the family on a less popular beach. You can also get some great pictures of Table Mountain from these beaches.
If you are heading to Cape Town, you need to take some time for the beaches. There are a lot of great beaches around the city center and you do not have to travel far to get the experience you want.