Our fave Cape Town family beaches

Custom Search

When it comes to finding Cape Town family beaches it's good to gather some intelligence.

You’ll find topless sunbathers on Clifton and Camps Bay, for sure, despite the laws about indecent exposure but as Sandy Bay is the only nudist beach, (and very out of the way too) you needn't worry about your kids being mm, well exposed to anything unsavoury :o) if that is an issue for you.

Fellow sunbathers aside though, grinding up winding steps laden with toddlers, buckets, spades and umbrellas is not my idea of family fun.

And if swimming is likely to be on the agenda it's good to know where the water is warmest, right?

On the other hand if you have teens who want to get in on the action... well, I'll tell you where to go!

False Bay -- warmer water, relaxed beaches - best Cape Town family beaches

False Bay beaches are about 4 degrees C warmer than Atlantic coast beaches. That makes a significant difference for swimming! And for the most part they are gentler sloping which makes for safer swimming.

On the Cape Peninsula side of False Bay - Cape Town family beaches

Being within the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park it's seldom crowded and is very safe.

The rockpools are full of exciting discoveries and the tidal pool has a lovely sandy bottom.

Boulders is the share-a-wave-with-a-penguin beach.

It's the only pay to enter beach in the Cape - the entrance fee is R15 per adult and R5 per child - all contributions go the Table Mountain National Park and help conserve the penguin colony.

Seaforth (next beach along from Boulders) is a bustling beach in season with a restaurant and other facilites which make it popular with families.

Long Beach, Simonstown is quiet, very shallow and perfect for young kids. It's not even very long! The 'real' Long Beach is between Noordhoek and Kommetjie :o)

Fishhoek Beach is probably the most-visited family choice, closer to Cape Town than the Simonstown beaches. It can be busy, but there's plenty of room to spread out so you won't need any sharp elbow techniques to get your share of the sand! You may spot old-style local fishermen with nets and rowing boats and there is an active yachting club based there. Kayakers abound too.

St James Beach is small with great rock pools AND a tidal pool! Parking can be tricky and being small it can be busy in season. Is it worth it? Yes, if you get there early!

On the eastern side of False Bay closer to the Hottentots Holland mountains and Somerset West there are three great options -- Strand Beach is an old family favourite, Gordon's Bay is the eastern equivalent of Fishhoek, a solid choice and Bikini Beach is a cute crescent of sand proudly waving its Blue Flag.

Atlantic side - brr! - Cape town family beaches

Back near Cape Point on the Atlantic side this time, Platboom is stunning and you may spot some game - our last visit we saw ostriches, buck and a zebra.

Scarborough is a quiet spot with a long beach, and the little village close enough for essential supplies.

Kommetjie is one of our favourite beaches, with a long walk towards Noordhoek past the wetlands. There's great bird life and the wreck of the Kakapo to add some interest.

Hout Bay is a down-to-earth family beach backed by high dunes.

The working harbour offers great close-up encounters with mooring ropes and anchor chains, not to mention some salty characters (dare I call them local colour?!) off the fishing boats (and yes, it's perfectly safe).

The local fish and chip restaurant Fish on the Rocks (far end of the harbour, next to the cannons) is always busy with regulars like us! You know the catch is fresh, you can watch the boats bring it in!

Teen scene - a completely different animal! Cape town family beaches

Beyond Hout Bay we begin to get into see-and-be-seen territory - the trendy, fashionable beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton.

Llandudno is a beautiful beach with enormous boulders and icy surf. Out of season it can't be beaten. In high season, parking difficulties are a two-edged sword. On the upside, it never gets too crowded. On the downside, you may have to walk a bit, so if you have to carry loads of gear, choose another venue. There are no shops for miles, so plan ahead for cold drinks and snacks.

If your offspring have progressed from bucket and spade to designer shades, Camps Bay and Clifton will draw them like magnets! My cousines love it!!

Camps Bay is totally plugged into the action complete with beach bars, cafes and restaurants a stone's throw from the sand. It's wide and sandy, backed by the Twelve Apostles and complete with palm-lined 'boulevard'.

Glen Beach is within spitting distance of Camps Bay on the Clifton side, but tucked behind the rocks so that it's easily overlooked. Maiden's Cove is also a popular family choice.

Clifton 3rd and 4th Beaches are known for their beach volleyball and beautiful bodies, as well as regular spottings of paragliders soaring off Lion's Head. Icecream vendors abound and you can hire beach chairs and umbrellas.

Cape Town family beaches

Up the West Coast, skip Milnerton (narrow and dirty) and head straight for Bloubergstrand or Big Bay. Although popular with surfers and kitesurfers, these are also beautiful family beaches with stunning views of Table Mountain. They are exposed to the wind, so if the South Easter in blowing, choose somewhere more sheltered!