12 November 2024
Looking for the best beaches to add to your South African trip? Well, we’d love to give you a top 10 list of South African beaches, but with so many blue flag beaches and a coastline covering two oceans, we couldn’t resist adding a few more options. Let’s help you find the perfect beach for your trip to South Africa.
Discover the Best Beaches in South Africa
Western Cape Beaches
Boulders Beach
Want to see some adorable penguins waddling around? Head to Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town! These little guys chill on the sandy beach, surrounded by big granite rocks, creating a picturesque setting. For the best penguin views, visit nearby Foxy Beach and stroll along the boardwalks.
Feeling a bit peckish after admiring the African Penguins? Try one of the seafood restaurants in Simon’s Town.
Recommended restaurants
- Seaforth Restaurant
- Salty Sea Dog
- Saveur
Paternoster
Paternoster is a super cute fishing village with whitewashed cottages. You’ll get amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and can enjoy fresh seafood straight from the boat. It’s the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
Recommended restaurants
- Ietsie Alz: Grab a tasty ‘Vis & Tjips’ (fish and chips) takeaway.
- Voorstrandt Restaurant
- The Noisy Oyster
Camps Bay
This trendy beach is known for its stunning sunsets and vibrant nightlife. The beach is lined with palm trees and offers a variety of water sports, including swimming, surfing, and kayaking, perfect for families and nightlife lovers. Grab a drink and enjoy the sunset, it’s a Capetonian must-do!
Planning a full day visit to Camps Bay? Why not start your day with a hike at Kasteelspoort before taking a cold dip at Camps Bay beach.
Recommended restaurants
- Mantra Cafe
- Bo-Vine Wine & Grill House
- Paranga
Clifton Beaches
Simply numbered 1st to 4th, these beaches offer a more exclusive experience, with the fourth beach being the most popular due to its sheltered location. There are loungers and umbrellas to rent and get used to hearing: “A lolly to make you jolly?” as hawkers stroll by selling cold drinks and ice creams 😉
Recommended restaurants
- The Bungalow
- Salsify at the Roundhouse
Tip: Clifton and Camps Bay are not too far from each other, so you could head to Camps Bay for a meal and to experience the nightlife.
Bloubergstrand
This South Africa beach looks out towards the city from the west coast, so you have a direct view of Table Mountain with Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head on either side. This is also a very popular place for kitesurfing.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite after a successful day embracing the Cape Town winds kitesurfing head to one of the popular restaurants nearby.
Recommended restaurants:
- Ons Huisie
- Blowfish Restaurant
- The Lighthouse Restaurant at Blue Peter Hotel
Kraalbaai
The white-sand Kraalbaai Beach is a quieter alternative to the busy main Langebaan Beach. You can drive through the West Coast National Park, and around the Langebaan Lagoon to access the beach or kayak across the lagoon, much more fun! The West Coast’s best kept secret. Well, not anymore, but it’s too magnificent not to include in our best beaches in South Africa round-up.
Recommended restaurants:
- Kokomo Beach Bar & Restaurant
- Die Strandloper
Garden Route Beaches
Robberg Beach
A pristine beach surrounded by fynbos. You might spot dolphins as you wander for kilometres along the beach, also known for shore-based whale spotting, particularly in the winter and bordering months (May to October). This blue-flag beach is considered one of the Garden Route’s finest.
Recommended restaurants:
- The Fat Fish
- Nineteen 89 Plett
- Nguni Restaurant
Buffels Bay
A few kilometres out from the popular holiday town of Knysna, Buffels Bay is known for its peaceful atmosphere and is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Recommended restaurants:
- Buffelsbay Waterfront
- Freshline Fisheries
- The Drydock Food Co
Nature’s Valley
A secluded beach surrounded by lush forests, it’s like a tropical paradise right here in South Africa, perfect for hiking and swimming. The beach is also home to a variety of bird species and offers opportunities for whale watching during the winter and bordering months (May to October).
Recommended restaurant:
- Blue Rocks Cafe & Grill
Eastern Cape Beaches
Coffee Bay
Smack bang in the heart of the Wild Coast, Coffee Bay is known for its golden sand, rocky cliffs and rolling green hills that surround it, and the much-photographed Hole in the Wall. Take a long stroll along the water’s edge, feel the wind in your hair and horseback ride along the sand, or just relax and soak up the sun, everything just comes effortlessly in Coffee Bay.
Recommended restaurants:
- Lindie’s Sunset Sushi and Grill
- Zac’s Seafood kitchen
Gonubie Beach
This family-friendly beach offers a boardwalk, tidal pools and beautiful views. The beach is also home to dolphins and whales. Everything you could want from a beach that should be on every best beaches in South Africa list.
Recommended restaurants:
- Shelly’s
- Kittisak
Dolphin Beach (Jeffreys Bay)
A world-renowned surf spot in Jeffreys Bay known locally as “J Bay”. Known for its consistent waves, and is a popular destination for surfers of all levels, even if you’re not a pro. It hosts the annual J-Bay Open, where professional surfers compete on the iconic Supertubes break.
Recommended restaurants:
- Kitchen Windows Beach Restaurant
- Tasty Table
- De Viswijf
- Die Walskipper
- Infood Bakery & Deli
KwaZulu-Natal
Sodwana Bay
Tucked right up by the Mozambique border, Sodwana Bay is a diving and snorkeling paradise with vibrant coral reefs. The bay is home to a variety of marine species, including sharks, dolphins, and turtles.
Recommended restaurants:
- The Lighthouse Restaurant
- Mseni Beach Lodge Restaurant
Umhlanga Beach
A family-friendly beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the nearby town. With a promenade, restaurants, and a lighthouse, you can easily spend a full day here.
Recommended restaurants:
- Grimaldi’s @ The Pearls
- The Ocean Terrace
- The Chefs’ Table
Bonus Tip: Best South African Beaches for Warm Waters
If you’re looking for warmer waters, KwaZulu-Natal is your best bet. The Indian Ocean currents that flow along this coastline make the water significantly warmer than in the Western Cape or Garden Route. So grab your swimsuit and get ready to soak up the sun!
With its incredible diversity, South Africa offers a beach experience for everyone. From family-friendly shores to secluded natural spots, these coastal gems highlight the best of what “South Africa Beaches” have to offer. So grab your swimsuit, and let the sun-soaked adventures begin!
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