South African Private Safaris & Self-drives | Southern African Tours
Safari Tour Company in Cape Town South Africa
Best Beaches in Cape Town & Garden Route
As a “native” Capetonian, my life was the beach. I started sailing, surfing, diving and fishing from the age of 10 and still do. In my youth I worked as a lifesaver and surf instructor.
Cape Town
Blouberg beach
Home to one of the most iconic views in the world, Cape Town’s Bloubergstrand is the place to gaze at one of the 7 Wonders of the world – Table Mountain. Robben Island is close and a great spot to take that “postcard” picture. It is here that the crazy cold water swimmers head out to Robben Island and some even swim back again. The long beach has great waves for surfing and supping. The beach is clean and safe for kids. Enjoy the many restaurants and bars nearby, sip an aperitif and watch the sunset over the Atlantic ocean.
Muizenberg
Muizenberg’s wide, flat, white sandy beach is popular with all sorts of people, young and old. It was voted the best beach in the world for learning to surf, pop into a surf shop and get some lessons, beware surfing is addictive! We all learnt to surf here and then moved onto bigger things lol. The beach is great for the little ones since the waves break softly onto the shore. .
I almost forgot to mention that the water here and throughout the False Bay coastline is warmer than the “other side” Atlantic ocean.
Boulders Beach
Situated on Cape Town’s False Bay coastline is the beautiful and sheltered Boulders Beach. Crystal clear water meets soft white sand in a succession of coves between huge weathered granite boulders which date back a billion years.
Boulders is internationally known for the colony of African penguins that decided to make it their home back in 1980. These critically endangered birds are one of only two colonies in South Africa and the world. Here you are able to get close, penguins are very photogenic. My friend offers kayaking tours where you can experience them in their ocean habitat. Boulders Penguin Colony is the only place in the world where you can swim with penguins. Boulders beach is great for snorkelling and just lazing around working on your tan. The water temperature in summer reaches 22C.
Diaz Beach, Cape of Good Hope
Diaz Beach is a magnificent, secluded beach at the Cape of Good Hope. It’s a 25 minute hike to get to this beach from Cape Point , but when you do, you’ll find the scenery captivating.
The setting is stunning and the water inviting, but please beware, it is dangerous to swim, because the currents are strong. This is rather a beach to bring your camera. Situated on the most south western tip of Africa, this stretch of coast has stories to tell about the first mariners to round the Cape and the many shipwrecks off its coastline. It has a secluded feel to it and offers an unforgettable view of the Atlantic ocean.
Llandudno beach
This spectacular beach is a favourite among locals. Situated in an upmarket hillside neighbourhood with a soft sandy cove where you’ll find kids building sandcastles, playing beach bats and frisbee, surfers tucking into perfect Atlantic tubes and dogs running about.
As with all the beaches along the Atlantic coast, the sea is cold, but definitely worth a quick body surf even sans wetsuit! It’s a great place to watch the sunset, so take a picnic basket and enjoy a spectacular west coast sunset. .
Kraalbaai lagoon beach, West Coast National Park
You’ll find Kraalbaai Beach in the ever popular West Coast National Park. On the weekend you’ll find families enjoying the crystal blue water of the lagoon. The facilities here are great and you can even enjoy a barbeque on the beach or bring a picnic basket and enjoy the tremendous surroundings. .
Take part in marine activities on the lagoon from fishing and boating, skiing and kayaking. Kraalbaai is also home to resident, luxury houseboats, which visitors can rent out and enjoy an extended stay in the Park.
Pringle Bay – my home town
Pringle Bay’s stunningly beautiful main swimming beach is approximately 2 kilometres long. The beautiful white sandy beach is surrounded by sand dunes on one side and the ocean on the other. It is set against a backdrop of mountains covered by our unique and beautiful fynbos. Pringle Bay is situated in a UNESCO world heritage area, for its incredible floral diversity.
The sea water temperature is usually cool (up to 23C in summer), but the fresh, clean Buffels River mouth is pleasant and warm in summer. The shallow water here is perfect for children to play and splash around.
Living here I spend time surfing, snorkelling, fishing and hiking in the wilderness which is all around me.
Grotto Beach, Hermanus
This impressive beach is very popular with local and international visitors, who are drawn here to spend time surrounded by the ocean and mountain. With impressive Cape Folded Mountains lining the coast, the wild waters of the beach are cushioned by the powdery white sand.
The Blue Flag beach stretches for 20 km into the horizon. Lifeguards are on duty in high season, and the water is perfect for a swim or surf. It is also a fabulous place for hikers and joggers. In summer the beach gets busy with families and dog-walkers who come here to enjoy a holiday by the sea.
The town of Hermanus (nearby) offers the best land-based whale watching in the world and is a lively spot that’s buzzing with markets and terrace cafes.
Garden Route
I’m happy to say that our private guided safaris offer unbeatable value. We are owner/guides, which means you shall experience Africa with a dedicated and enthusiastic team. Call Craig +27 (0)820917983
Garden Route
Robberg Beach, Plettenberg Bay
Many say this blue flag beach is the Garden Route most outstanding. You can walk for miles along the beach that stretches forever, and there’s a high chance you’ll spot whales, dolphins and other marine life.
Plettenberg Bay or Plett as it is affectionately known is a bucket list destination with arguably the best beaches in South Africa.
Victoria Bay
Victoria Bay is known for its brilliant right point break, making it one of the best surf spots in South Africa. It’s in a prime position to see some of the ocean’s awesome creatures. Pods of Bottlenose, Heaviside, Dusky and Common Dolphin are spotted here year round. Southern Right whales come very close to the coast here between June and December and the Humpback whales between May and November.
Victoria Bay Beach is surrounded by cliffs making the views here fantastic. This is an awesome beach and a great place for the whole family to come and enjoy. There is a little restaurant here where you can get some refreshments or a nice meal.
Natures Valley Beach
Natures Valley Beach is a secluded Blue Flag beach located near Plettenberg Bay. The beach is well known as the end of the world famous 6 day Otter Trail. Natures Valley is surrounded by giant indigenous hardwood forests, pure tannin “chocolate” rivers, tranquil lagoons, and isolated beaches. It’s no surprise this beach has been declared one of the most beautiful in the country.
The beach is perfect for swimming, hiking, surfing, tanning, canoeing, fishing, flora and fauna. It’s recommended to get here before sunset, with a picnic basket and bottle of wine. Excellent place for stargazing, see if you can spot the Southern Cross.
Noetzie Beach, Knysna
Just to the East of Knysna, at the end of a dirt road, lies Noetzie, a secluded beach which is bizarrely surrounded by castles.
The beach here has a magical air about it and it feels as though you have been whisked away to paradise.
The water is pristine and is safe for paddling, swimming and kayaking as well as surfing, whether you are a beginner or more experienced. Here water reaches 27C and the lagoon is even warmer.
It is one of the last remaining homes for the highly endangered African Black Oystercatcher and is therefore a conservancy
Anglers don’t mind spending hours here admiring the views while waiting for their catch. The opportunity of a romantic picnic or stroll along Noetzie Beach with your loved one shouldn’t be missed.
Wilderness Beach
Wonderful and unspoilt, Wilderness Beach along the Garden Route coast is backed onto by tall vegetated dunes topped with homes looking out across the blue ocean. Wilderness Beach, like all beaches on the Garden Route, are on the Indian Ocean, which means that visitors to this pristine shoreline are guaranteed warm waters. The tranquillity of Wilderness Beach acts as the picture perfect backdrop to whale, dolphin and turtle spotting.
Buffalo Bay
Buffalo Bay is a must for beach lovers. A beach village with a lot of personality, Buffalo Bay lets you live the dream of an ideal beach holiday.
don’t miss
Some of the safest swimming in the area, lifeguards are on duty during the summer holidays.
Perfect surf breaks and exceptional trail running. Visit the “wild side” at Goukamma Nature Reserve, awesome hiking along the coastline amongst the flora and fauna.
