The Best Beaches in Cape Town

Just as there are many exciting neighborhoods in Cape Town, the city boasts a treasure trove stunning coasts too. You can't go wrong with Muizenberg Beach, for instance, which is a surfer's paradise. It's also famous for its brightly-colored changing huts. Boulder's Beach, on the other hand, is another notable shoreline thanks to African penguins. These fine-feathered fellows make the place much more delightful. And there are other beaches in Cape Town worth visiting too. You simply have to check them out yourself when you're there! But to help you out, here are little tidbits about these beaches.

Clifton Beaches

Let's start this list with Clifton's beaches. Yes, you read that right: “beaches.” This affluent oceanfront neighborhood in Cape Town has not just one, but four gorgeous shorelines you simply have to see. Each with its own distinct vibe. The first one is perhaps the quietest of them all, perfect for walking your dog on a lazy afternoon. The second beach serves as the perfect spot for athletic beachgoers in the area, whether they're up for surfing the waves or playing beach volleyball on the sand. The third beach, on the other hand, is a gay-centric hotspot where the LGBTQ+ community reigns supreme. While the fourth is the liveliest of them all, drawing both tourists and locals alike to its clean coast. Source: Wikimedia Commons/ SkyPixels

Camps Bay

Having earned its Blue Flag status thanks to its clean white shore and crystal clear waters, Camps Bay is among the most popular beaches in Cape Town. You can even say that it's the most famous one in the city! It's so well-maintained despite seeing so many visitors that beach-goers can't help but want to hang out here. Also, the views from here are spectacular. You can rest up and get a tan all while looking at some of Cape Town's most famous natural wonders. Not the least of which are Table Mountain and Lion's Head. Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Darren Glanville

Long Beach

No, this isn't the famous district in Los Angeles. But rather it's an eight-kilometer stretch of sand and sea in Cape Town. Just as its name says, it's a pretty long shoreline, the widest in the entire city. And since the area remains largely untouched, it's perfect for when you want to immerse yourself in Mother Nature. Or if you want to go surfing too! Long Beach is one of the few surfer hotspots in Cape Town. It's not the most popular though, thanks in large part to its fairly cold waters. Source: Hilton1949 at English Wikipedia

Muizenberg Beach

Speaking of Cape Town's surf beaches, Muizenberg Beach is probably the most famous of them all. The waves here aren't all that strong, making it the perfect coast for beginners to practice before taking on other thrilling coasts. The water is also pretty warm here, especially when compared to those in Long Beach. But perhaps what makes Muizenberg Beach so famous is its row of brightly-colored changing huts that are reminiscent of the Victorian era. The stark hues make them look modern but these colorful booths are pretty vintage in their own right. Not to mention pretty Instagram-worthy too! Source: Wikimedia Commons

Boulder's Beach

Another of the best beaches in Cape Town that shouldn't escape any Instagrammer's eye is Boulder's Beach. As a shoreline, it's fairly typical. Located on the southern side of the city, it's a white sandy coast with turquoise waters, great waves, and lots of sunshine. What actually makes Boulder's Beach, not just famous but pretty downright iconic, however, is the flock of African penguins that live here. Whether they're waddling about or zooming to the seas like launched torpedoes, you can't help but be enamored by these fine-feathered fellows. A post or even a selfie with them is enough to turn your Instagram account into a travel inspo page! Source: Wikimedia Commons

Noordhoek Beach

Haven't had enough of animal-friendly beaches in Cape Town? Perhaps Noordhoek Beach ought to be your next stop! On its own, the beach is a stunning coast with scenery that will take your breath away. Even the waters are so clear that you almost feel like there's no salt in them! With that said, what truly makes Noordhoek Beach popular among locals and tourists alike is horseback riding! That's right! Thanks to many services in the area, you can go horseback-riding right on the shoreline—or even in the shallow waters!—of this beach. It's pretty romantic when with you're special someone! Source: Wikimedia Commons

Blouberg Beach

Though it's a fair distance away from the city center, the northern Blouberg Beach in Cape Town is worth the trip. For one thing, it's among the quieter coasts in the city. Though there are some parts that still get pretty crowded, overall, you can easily find a spot that's all your own on this expansive shoreline. If you're into kitesurfing, you can head on over to the Big Bay area of the beach. The place is famous for the sport thanks to its annual competition. And if you want. to enjoy the scenery, you can bask in the glory of Table Mountain that can be seen from here. It's one of the unique things about South Africa. Source: Flickr.com/ Dimitry B.

Hout Bay Beach

And finally, there's Hout Bay Beach. As the coast of one of the suburban areas in Cape Town, this coast gets pretty crowded sometimes. But that still doesn't deter the natural beauty of the place. Surrounded by magnificent mountains and made up of incredible sand dunes, this beach is as paradisical as ever. You almost forget that an entire neighborhood is only a hop and a skip away from here. This place can easily captivate those who love extraordinary sceneries and just want to spend time surrounded by Mother Nature. Source: Wikimedia Commons/ flowcomm

The best beaches in Cape Town are those that are more than just beautiful and paradisical. On any of these amazing shorelines, you can have the time of your life! So much so that you'd barely want to leave even when the day is through!