Camps Bay Beach: Camps Bay is situated at the foot (extending upwards) of the Twelve Apostles Mountain, behind Table Mountain. As such, it is very close to the City Bowl and the V & A Waterfront, making it a stone’s throw from some of the Mother City’s most popular attractions. Camps Bay Beach is iconic for its palm trees, immaculate white sands and clear turquoise water. With the Twelve Apostles as its backdrop, it is a particularly scenic retreat. However, it is also unique for its being a few minutes’ walk from the main ‘strip’ of Camps Bay, where boutiques, champagne bars, restaurants and hotels abound. With a cosmopolitan look and feel, Camps Bay attracts tourists from all over the world. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for hire and life savers are on duty all through summer.

Llandudno Beach: The beautiful Llandudno Beach enjoys Blue Flag status. This not only testifies to its aesthetic loveliness, but also to its educational value and its dedication to environmental diversity and well-being. It is a relatively small beach that is surrounded by rugged mountain rock and the luxurious mansions perched on top. This gives it an international vibe that is quite unrivalled, while never taking away from its intimate nature. The water is best suited to quick, refreshing dips, thanks to the chill factor of the Atlantic, as well as to strong currents. For those that feel energetic, the surrounding rock is excellent for exploring; even offering some caves that still bear evidence of the Khoisan that once occupied them. The beach itself is great for playing Frisbee or volley ball. There is an ablution block here as well as informal vendors that sell snacks and refreshments. Life savers are on duty.

The Clifton Beaches: There are four beaches making up Clifton, each of which exudes a vibrant appeal that is loved by international visitors and local sun-worshippers alike. These are especially popular for their being protected by the sometimes-strong south-easterly wind. The sands are white and littered with massive rounded boulders that make for beautiful features, but also provide some sense of privacy amongst those soaking up the sun. The Clifton Beaches are popular amongst the surfing community. Clifton Three has become somewhat of a gay destination, making it an important attraction for Cape Town, which is one of the world’s top gay destinations. Clifton is consistently voted among the world’s best beaches by the likes of the Discovery Travel Channel, and has achieved Blue Flag Status.

Hout Bay Beach: Hout Bay is about 20 minutes’ drive from Camps Bay and has become a veritable surfers’ paradise. Nicknamed ‘Dungeons’ by local boarders, massive swells test the skills of novice and expert surfers alike. This is also a somewhat sheltered beach that is fabulous for families that just want to splash about in the cool, shallow waters that lap the shore.

Cape Town does not pose a significant threat in terms of shark attacks, making its beaches safe for swimming and surfing. Many of the beaches allow dogs during off-peak season and at designated times during the busy summer months. Venturing further inland? We recommended this site for other accommodation in Cape Town.