Beaches & Facilities

NB The water on the Atlantic side is COLD. Less protection from the wind on the False Bay side. Take toilet paper, cool drinks (alcohol not allowed) and plenty of sunblock.

BLOUBERG: 2 beaches – Little Bay and Big Bay. Very pleasant on a wind free day. Little Bay is better serviced with toilets and showers and is very safe for young kids. Big Bay on a windy day is Windsurfer paradise – Phone Grant Ross on 082 449 9819 for Windsurfer hire.

TABLEVIEW: A beautiful long beach, the sea can be rough and the wind can really blow. Popular kiting beach – particularly power kites. Power boats can launch from the Blouberg end of the beach. Most facilities are at the Cape Town end.

CLIFTON: 4 small beaches – excellent out of season – crowded in season. Well protected from SE wind. Parking is impossible and the walk up the steps from Clifton 1, 2 & 3 is tough at the end of the day. One toilet on 4th beach, often locked. Vendors sell cool drinks and ice cream. Restaurant in the car park above 4th beach. Beach chairs for hire. Good body compulsory. Club Med the sunset place to be seen.

CAMPS BAY: The place to go after you are too old for Clifton. Family beach, but with a dangerous beach break and rapid drop off just beyond the water line – caution for kids. Windy in SEaster. There is a tidal pool near the braai area, but very crowded. Café society at various venues along the beach road. Good facilities. Volley Ball venue.

SANDY BAY: Lovely beach and granite outcrops. Nudist but also Gay pick-up. No facilities at all. Parking 20 mins walk from the beach.

HOUT BAY: Exposed to SE wind, very safe beach. Lots of dogs! Toilets, shops and eateries at Chapman’s Peak end. Mariners Wharf at the other end. Toilets in the harbour.

NOORDHOEK: Wonderful beach for sunset walks. Many dogs. Very primitive toilets at car park end. Wreck of Kakapo. Beach rides from Sleepy Hollow. Ph 789 2341. Great surfing at Kommetjie end.

BOULDERS: Tiny beach just beyond the Penguins. A jumble of granite boulders on the beach. They form excellent wind breaks and lagoons. Warm water, safe for kids, good for snorkelling. Entry fee R5 and R10.

FISH HOEK: Family beach, safe swimming, well protected by Lifesavers. Can get out of the wind in the southern corner. Concrete pathway across the rocks. Good facilities. R6 parking fee. Surf and boogie boards kept apart from swimmers.

MUIZENBERG: Safe swimming, windy but protection offered by beach huts and promenade. Full playground for kids with swimming pool. Bumper boats, putt put, fun fair, camel rides, super tube. 5 star toilets and change rooms. Patrolled by beach police. Nice to walk to St James along the walkway.

STRAND: Very flat, safe beach, great for kids, often surprisingly wind free. Lifesavers at Cape Town end. Popular with up-country visitors. Good facilities but far apart. Deck chair and umbrella hire. Indoor pool at the Pavilion. Shops along the beach road.

GORDON’S BAY: 2 beaches – Bikini is small and wind protected. The other is often very windy. The Harbour Island development has brought new life to Gordon’s Bay with shops and restaurants.