The Western Cape is famous for it wide, white sandy beaches. Clifton, Llandudno and Camps Bay are sheltered from the South-East wind (the prevailing summer wind) and are perfect for soaking up the sun. Dolphin Beach in Tableview is jam-packed with Kite-surfers in summer, while Sunset Beach is windsurfer territory. Penguins have made Boulders Beach at Simonstown and Betty's Bay their homes. Surfers enjoy Long Beach, Muizenberg, Jeffrey's Bay and just about everywhere.
The cold Atlantic Ocean sweeps the west coast, while the warmer Indian Ocean skirts the Western Cape's southern beaches. As you travel east from Cape Point, the sea temperature gradually warms up.
If you're not bothered by cooler waters, then there are the following options on the west coast:
16-mile beach at Yzerfontein
Elandsbaai
Dwarskersbos
Langebaan
Big Bay
Blouberg
Table View
Sunset Beach
Milnerton
Sea Point
Clifton 1, 2, 3 & 4
Glen Beach
Bakoven
Llandudno
Sandy Bay
Hout Bay
Noordhoek Beach
Long Beach, Kommetjie
The Kom, Kommetjie
Witsand
Scarborough
Misty Cliffs
Soetwater, Slangkop
Witsands
Scarborough
Olifantsbospunt, Cape Point
Diaz Beach, Cape Point
In False Bay, you can choose between:
Buffels Bay, Cape Point
Bordjiesdrift, Cape Point
Smitswinkel Bay
Millers Point, Simon’s Town
Frank’s Beach, Simon’s Town
Windmill Beach, Simon’s Town
Foxy Beach, Simon’s Town
Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town
Seaforth Beach, Simon’s Town
Long Beach, Simon’s Town
Glencairn Beach
Fish Hoek Main Beach
Clovelly Corner
Kalk Bay Beach
Danger Beach, St James
Strand
Bikini beach (Gordons Bay)
Travelling further east, you are spoilt for choices:
Struisbaai
Gouritzmond
Cape Town boasts 40 surf-breaks within an hour's drive. Muizenberg is great for beginners, Glen Beach & Llandudno are popular, and lunatics go to Dungeons in Hout Bay. Further up the Garden route is the famous Jeffrey's Bay with its perfect waves.
Popular spots are Langebaan (an hour's drive from Cape Town up the west coast) and Dolphin Beach.