Camps Bay
At Camps Bay a little slice of Miami comes to Cape Town. Here palm trees and lush lawns frame the beachfront, with chic cocktail bars set just back from the gleaming white sands. This wide beach is ideal for sunbathing and admiring the coastal views, but don’t be surprised if you’re invited to an impromptu game of beach volleyball or Frisbee. A large tidal pool bookends the beach to the south, while surfers paddle out on the northern end to carve up the challenging shore break.
Clifton
With pristine white sands, gin-clear waters and millionaire’s yachts anchored offshore, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more glamorous beach in Cape Town. Clifton is, quite simply, the Mother City’s slice of the French Riviera.
Dramatic granite boulders adorn the necklace of beaches – dubbed Clifton 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th – with each having its own charm. 1st and 2nd are small, but favoured for their laid-back low-key atmosphere. 3rd is particularly popular with the LGBTQ+ community, while the wide expanse of 4th makes it a popular spot for families.
Llandudno
This is the beach for those who can’t spend all day working on their tan. On this wide sweep of sand, framed by dramatic mountain peaks, you’ll find local lifesavers practising their stokes, swimmers braving the bracing waters, and surfers making the most of the barrelling shore break. Families will love it here too, with ample space for beach bats or a game of cricket. Come evening, the imposing granite boulders offer some of the best sunset views in the city (after the Leopard Bar, of course).
Local tip: street parking at Llandudno is difficult in peak season. Rather ask the Concierge for a transfer.
