The top 20 beaches in South Africa are the popular spots and favorite destinations for people looking out to have a good time. Running from east to west and along the southern shores, the beaches in South Africa are truly a sight to experience. Many wonder if there are any white-sand beaches among South Africa’s many amazing beaches.
South Africa prides itself on having over 50 blue flag beaches. This number may seem like a few but at the sight of them, the beauty is captivating. After all, it is an amazing feeling knowing that a beach destination is safe and environmentally friendly which every blue flag beach is known to be.
The answer is yes, there are white sand beaches and even others that are a rare gem for locals. Umhlanga beach is the popular one among the beaches that lines its shorelines.
In no particular, here is a list of the top 20 South African beaches that you should visit for relaxation, fun, and other activities.
20 Best South African Beaches
1. Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town
This beach is often visited by many who have some time to spend relaxing or to get away from stress. It is one of the most popular beaches in South Africa.
Some simply refer to this beach as the party beach yet it is even more than that. Its white sand, hotels, clubs, and restaurants are good spots to unwind after a good beach day.
Camps Bay is located in Cape Town and is a definite spot for anyone making a list of the best beaches. It is ideal for any trying to have a lively feel of crowds. The twelve-apostles mountain gives the beach a lovely backdrop.
See Also: Kenya Beaches – These 10 Beaches are The Best in Kenya to Have a Good Time
2. Durban’s North Beach
This beach is absolutely stunning and totally safe for swimming. Also located along Durban’s Golden Mile are the spectacular sandy shores, big waves, and lots of cultural activities.
Durban’s North Beach is located in the center of the Golden Mile with and it has promenades looking over the Indian ocean.
3. Durban South Beach
Just as its Northern counterpart is an interesting sight, Durban’s south beach is a dream location for fun activities. Things to watch out for are visits to the aquarium, theme park, and a surf museum.
Swimmers have no hard time getting under the water of the Indian Ocean while worshippers of the sun get busy absorbing some of its rays under their skin.
It marks the southernmost point of the Golden Mile.
4. Clifton Cape Town
It is true that happiness comes in pairs, but what if it comes in two pairs? Call it bliss! Clifton beach is made up of four beaches. The Clifton beaches are named 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
The great thing about these beaches is the great range of things to do there. For a slow day, it promises spots. One can watch the sunset whether in the winter or summer seasons.
Among the ranges of the four Clifton beaches, the fourth takes the lead as the best. Apart from being the biggest, it is a blue flag beach. At the fourth Clifton beach, one can absorb some sun into the skin while admiring the surface of the water as a yacht bobs over it.
5. Grotto Beach
This beach passes the criteria of being a blue flag beach with the safe swimming it offers and the other safety measures. Places to visit are its friendly park for kids and whale watching from Hermanus.
Grotto beach is a sure spot for a getaway as even the dog can tag along. Its long expanse of sand is a promise of a great view of the blue ocean.
Other activities that can be done on this beach include surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, and kite surfing. Whale trips can also be planned to experience their congregating from July to December at Walker Bay.
6. Umhlanga Beach
Umhlanga has one of the most stunning coastlines in South Africa. Its lighthouse adds to the attraction of the town. The impact of the beaches of Umhlanga is felt in the income it generates with a large number of tourists that visit.
The lighthouse in Umhlanga is automatic and it is one of the popular views in the town’s skyline.
7. Boulders Beach
A good time is sure to have its pecks when dreams turn to reality. At boulders beach, a taste of wildlife is available in the form of the penguin colony.
The water is warm due to its sheltered nature and large boulders. It is not unusual to come in contact with penguins.
8. Strand Beach
This beach is not very popular among holiday planners or those planning to have a good time. Yet, it has calm and not so deep waters that one can spend some time having a commune with nature.
Strand beach has a promenade behind it and offers a view of the Hottentots Holland mountain. One thing about this beach is that it is a busy one yet it is not so well known as others in Cape Town.
9. Mdumbi Beach
Some of the best-kept gems are rarely visited or known beaches. This beach located hours away from Durban and near the town of Umtata is worth the trip.
Mdumbi is a remote, beautiful, and rugged beach not often visited by many. Yet it is located in a town, Umtata where Nelson Mandela once called home.
The ride to this beach is bumpy but the prize of seeing the beach is ten times the stress of traveling.
10. Dolphin Beach, Jefferys Bay
This little bit of paradise is a must-visit spot for anyone with a promise of full fun. Located in Jeffery’s bay, this beach is the perfect location for the surfing and kiting adventures to be unfolded.
As its name implies, dolphins arrive in the shallow parts of Jefferys bay and that is where the name of this beach comes from. World-renowned surfers come to catch strong waves at Jefferys bay making it the surfing mecca of South Africa.
11. Paternoster Beach
The lineup of this beach comprises whitewashed houses, pretty white sand, and rugged rocks. It is an idle place to take long walks and an attractive spot for anyone planning to go for a holiday.
Its lobster adds to its mystique. Paternoster is the pillar of South African commercial fishing. Dog walks are allowed on this beach and its high walls provide extra security.
12. Trafalgar Beach
This beach is quite interesting. There is a part for the animals and a part for humans mainly used for swimming. Trafalgar beach is a blue flag beach with warm sea temperatures. Its tidal pool makes swimming the top priority on the list while planning to enjoy the picnics and sunbathing afterward.
Places to visit while in the area include the Mpanjati Nature Reserve.
13. Umzumbe Beach South Coast
Many descriptions about this beautiful beach call it unspoilt. It is not the usual tourist beaches, it is mostly unknown. Located in KwaZulu- Natal province, Umzumbe is a gem of beaches and a rare treasure.
This beach boasts of a swimming part, a tidal pool, and many rock pools. It is a good spot to learn surfing especially for children.
Another sight to behold on this beach is when the whales come passing by and one happens to be there. Humpbacks and Southern rights are the common species that come this way.
14. Bikini Beach Gordon’s Bay
The name of this beach alone makes it a must-visit. This manmade beach is located in the small coastal town of Gordon’s Bay. The beach is a tiny secluded beach that lies right next to a harbor. Its name comes from the bikini-wearing female students of Stellensbosch University who frequent the beach alongside teenagers.
The water is warm and prides itself as a blue flag beach which offers the opportunity to swim or surf for the adventurous.
15. Muizenberg Beach
Any first-time surfer will learn the board on this family-friendly beach. Muizenberg beach in Cape Town is a blue flag beach that is safe for swimming, dog walking, and spending some family time.
While on vacation in Cape Town, Muizenberg beach should make the list of places to relax. surfing lessons are monetized for anyone trying to learn.
16. Struisbaii Beach In Cape Agulhas
Talking about safe beaches for children to have some activity and relax during the holiday, Struisbaii is a good spot.
This beach is rich in marine life below the surface of its water. Scuba diving, body surfing, kite surfing, and many other fun activities can be done while enjoying time on the beach.
17. Buffels Bay Beach
Located in Cape Point Nature Reserve, it is a good spot to hold picnics and other fun activities. With the wind blowing in the right direction, the endless opportunities it provides are summed up in fun.
Bird watchers are sure to have an eye full of their favorite activity. It has tidal pools and green lawns for those who hate sand but love the beach.
Visiting Buffels bay beach offers the opportunity of also cycling around the park. Also, ensure to visit the most southwesternmost part of Africa and the Cape of Good hope located in the reserve.
Buffels are always tied to the name of the beach but the sights of it are not so common. One visited Buffels bay in 2020 to moult.
18. Diaz Beach
Also known as the Cape of Good Hope beach, it is surrounded by sandy cliffs and beautiful turquoise water. This beach is good for those that want some quiet, peace, and calm with its seclusion and privacy.
Occasional visitors are the baboons but that is a small prize for the beautiful scenery. Diaz Beach is located within the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Surfers love this beach when the northwesterly winds blow in the right swell direction.
19. Bloubergstrand Beach
Not knowing about Table mountain also referred to as the seventh wonder of the world is not such a big crime. Yet not knowing about the two at the same time is a great spoiler for anyone who has been in the region.
The beauty of the Bloubergstrand beach can be admired from table mountain. It is a good spot to have a good relaxation.
20. Agulhas Beach
This beach comes last on the list not because it is the least. It holds dear moments that any holiday destination without it in mind is incomplete. It is that perfect topping on the cake.
Agulhas Beach is located on cape Agulhas. Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip of Africa. It is the official point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. Many mistake the meeting of the two oceans at Cape Point.
It is a fishing destination for anyone that wants to do some fun activities. The lighthouse in Agulhas was built in 1848 and is an interesting sight for those that want a touch and taste of History.
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