With only a few weeks of summer left why not take the opportunity to gather your troops and make the most of the warm weather. Being a coastal city, Cape Town is filled with beautiful unspoiled beaches that attract both local and international visitors. Let’s take it back to the beach!
Platboom, Cape Point Nature Reserve
This magical, wild and unspoilt beach is truly a hidden gem. A 20 minute steep walk will be worth all your amazing Instagram pictures. Access runs from Diaz Cross, although many visitors prefer the 4km hike from Gifkommetjie. It is the most beautiful beach in the Cape Nature Reserve Region, with endless dunes of white sand. Ideal for long, undisturbed strolls along the beautiful chalk-white coast line. It is recommended that you only take your feet for a dip, since it is secluded, and swimming is a great risk.
Best time to visit: Opening hours: 6am – 6pm (October to March); 7am – 5pm (April – September)
Cost: Cape Point Nature Reserve tariff: R145 (adults); R75 (children)
Contact: 021 780 9010 or [email protected]
Water’s Edge, Simons Town
This is considered something of a local secret in Simon’s Town. Found at the end of paved pathway running from the Seaforth Beach parking lot, past the back of Seaforth Restaurant. It feels like you’re entering a garden-gate. This beach offers a gratifying, secluded bay and stunning views. If you’re lucky enough you could find yourself swimming with the resident penguins. It makes for wonderful picnicking, swimming, diving and snorkelling, with exploration fun and castle-building opportunities for the kids.
Best time to visit: During the day whenever the weather is best, but do head down early to get a good spot.
Cost: Free
Contact: 021 786 8440 or [email protected]
Preekstoel, West Coast
In the land of flourishing fynbos reserves, peaceful fishing villages and pristine beaches, lies a 25km stretch of sandy coastline near the Langebaan Lagoon. The beach is known for its warm waters and famous rock formation that sticks out of the sand at the point where it touches the water, providing convenient shelter for those frolicking in the shallows below. A real gem in the West Coast region.
Best time to visit: Spring, when the West Coast comes alive with colourful wild flowers. Opening hours are 7am – 7pm (September to March) and 7am – 6pm (April to August).
Cost: West Coast National Park tariff: R54 – R76 (adults, depending on season) ; R27 – R38 (children, depending on season)
Contact: 022 772 2144 or [email protected]
Olifantbos, Cape Point Nature Reserve
This small, sandy beach is edged by wild, natural fynbos, and its stretch of coastline offers you the chance to discover at least three shipwrecks, which bear testament to the ferocity of the infamous Cape of Storms.
It is also a marine protected area and has a nearby shallow lagoon, which draws wonderful coastal birdlife to the area. It has its own secluded guesthouse – a little, self-catering cottage nestled at the foot of a rocky outcrop and overlooking the peaceful, windswept beach. (Booking in advance is advisable.) Surfing is also great here, especially when there’s an incoming tide and the southeaster blows.
Best time to visit: Opening hours: 6am – 6pm (October to March); 7am – 5pm (April – September)
Cost: Cape Point Nature Reserve tariff: R145 (adults); R75 (children)
Contact: 021 780 9010 or [email protected]
Sunset Beach, Blaauwberg
If you fancy sunsets and long walks on the beach with the backdrop of Table Mountain, this is for you. It’s free from the holiday hordes, so you can relax and enjoy the views and spectacular sunsets. This beautiful sandy beach is rated as the third best windsurfing spot in the world, after Hawaii and New Zealand.
Best time to visit: It’s all in the name, ‘Sunset’. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy a front row seat to a breathtaking sunset.
Cost: Free
Contact: 021 550 1111
Pictures: Facebook