X
Home / Blog / Top 10 Beaches in South Africa one need to Visit

Top 10 Beaches in South Africa one need to Visit

August 08, 2022
Views: 2585

South Africa has become the talk of the town, and for a good reason. South Africa has stunning safaris, vibrant towns, and fascinating history, but it also has some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet! South Africa is brimming with coastal beauty, from beaches with breath-taking mountain vistas to beaches with resident penguin populations. Keep this list on hand, as well as your sunscreen.

Beaches in South Africa

Top 10 Beaches in South Africa

Take a look at our list of best beach beaches in South Africa, and don’t forget to carry this with you on your visit.

Robberg Beach

Robberg Beach

This blue-flag beach in South Africa is said to be the best on the Garden Route. You may stroll for kilometres over dunes that appear to go on forever, and chances are you'll see some dolphins. The beach is also famous for shore-based whale watching, especially during the winter months when the southern right whales visit Plettenberg Bay. A must-see on any Garden Route Road trip, and number one on our list of the best beaches in South Africa. We strongly suggest this beach in South Africa for a stunning view and scenery.

Things to do:
  • Robberg Beach Reserve
  • Plettenberg Bay
  • Roberg Nature Reserve
  • Thai Massage Healing Hands
Accommodations:
  • The Robberg Beach Lodge - Lion Roars Hotels & Lodges
  • Dolphins Playground B&B
  • Stoneridge Farm
  • Barrington's Small Hotel
  • Southern Cross Beach House
Restaurants:
  • Classics & Coffee Gallery
  • Nineteen89
  • Ngunit
  • Off the Hook
  • The Table Restaurant and Bar

Kraalbai

Kraalbai

This gorgeous lagoon is one of the secret beaches on South Africa's West Coast. Well, not anymore, but it's too beautiful not to include in our list of the best beaches in South Africa. Driving through the West Coast National Park into the lagoon, one might imagine themselves on a Maldivian beach, with gin-clear, turquoise water, a picturesque jetty, and even a few houseboats floating in the bay. Also, this is one of the best beaches for swimming in South Africa. You can also combine your beach explorations with a trek or a birding expedition in the nearby fynbos.

Things to do:
  • West Coast National Park
  • Langebaan Beach
  • Mykonos Casino
  • Eves’s Trail
  • Wheels of Time Trail
Accommodations:
  • Club Mykonos
  • Windtown Lagoon Hotel
  • Shark Bay Hotel & Spa
  • Crystal Lagoon Lodge
  • Old Fisher house
Restaurants
  • Kokoma Beach Bar and Restaurant
  • Friday Island
  • Die Strandloper
  • Thoban Chef’s
  • Pearly’s

Camps Bay

Camps Bay

South Africa has some beautiful beach sites, but no vacation to Cape Town is complete without a stop at Camps Bay. Camps bay is one of the white– sand beaches in South Africa. The 12 Apostles rise above the glittering beach burb on the left, while Signal Hill and Lion Head guard the powdery-white beaches to the right, and a beautiful sundowner scene makes this beach one of the best beaches in South Africa! So, grab a drink at one of the Strip's pubs, relax on the rocks next to the tidal pool, and see why Capetonians can't stop bragging about their spectacular sunsets.

Places to Visit:
  • Theatre on the Bay
  • Studio G
  • Bakoven Beach
  • Beta Beach
  • Skaris Touring
  • Kasteelspoort
Accommodations:
  • Kraalbai Lifestyle House Boats
  • Crystal Lagoon Lodge
  • The Stables Cottage
  • Club Mykonos Resort
  • Water’s Edge
Restaurants
  • The Hussar Grill Camps Bay
  • Codfather Seafood and Sushi
  • Ocean Basket
  • Bilboa
  • Primi

Thonga Beach

Thonga Beach

Consider staying in a thatched bush suite surrounded by a coastal dune forest, with the shimmering Indian Ocean right ahead of you. Thonga Beach in northern KwaZulu-Natal has it all. Thonga has some of the best beaches in South Africa for snorkeling and offshore scuba diving in the nation, and depending on the time of year; you may observe turtles lay eggs.

Things to do:
  • Snorkeling
  • Scuba Diving
  • Kayaking
  • Zulu Dancing and Singing
Accommodations:
  • Thonga Beach Lodge
  • Tembe Elephant Park
  • Bayala Private Safari Lodge and Camp
  • White Pearl Resorts
  • Rhino River Lodge
Restaurants
  • Thonga Beach Lodge
  • Rocktail Camp

Llandudno Beach

Llandudno Beach

If you go to Llandudno at high tide, you'll see a lot of surfers enjoying the little swell and south-easterly wind. Even if you're passing through for a day of beach relaxation, you'll be in for a treat as you stare up over the Twelve Apostles, Little Lion's Head, and the magnificent Karbonkelberg Mountain. This beach is also one of the best swimming beaches in South Africa. A five-minute drive from Llandudno brings you over the hill to the community of Hout Bay, where dozens of eateries serve excellent sea cuisine fresh from the sea.

Things to do:
  • Table Mountain
  • Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling
  • SA Forest Adventures
  • Twelve Apostles
Restaurants:
  • Quentin at Oakhurst Barn
  • Chef's Warehouse Beau Constantia
  • La Colombe
  • Leopard Bar
  • Azure Restaurant
Accomodations:
  • Llandudno Beach Apartments
  • Hideaway Cape Town
  • Villa Mirage
  • Fisherman's Bend Retreat

Muizenberg Beach

Muizenberg Beach

Muizenberg beach is one of the warm water beaches in South Africa and the most beautiful. You can also swim and surf at Muizenberg beach. Don't forget to click a picture along with the colorful small cottages that this beach boasts about. This hip district of cape town has loads of surf shops, beautiful vistas, and hip eateries. This is one of the best beaches in South Africa. There are loads of surf shops, stunning sights, and hip eateries in this laid-back beachy district of Cape Town. This magnificent beach is located where the Cape Peninsula meets the False Bay shoreline.

Places to See:
  • Het Posthuys
  • Rhodes Cottage Museum
  • Mzoli’s Place
  • Visit the Blue Bird Garage Market
Restaurants:
  • Lucky Fish and Chips
  • Tiger’s Milk
  • Ocean’s Basket
  • Casa Labia by Ideas Cartel
Accommodations:
  • The Muize Bed and Breakfast
  • African Soul Surfer
  • Bluebottle Guest House
  • Cape Capsules Back Packers

Elands Bay

Elands Bay

For many years, this magnificent seaside location has managed to retain its charm and small-town character; it features a world-class surfing beach and has attracted some of the country's top surfers year after year. It's also a birdwatcher's paradise, with 232 species of birds known to be observed in Elands Bay or nearby. It is also well-known for its magnificent blossoming flowers, which may be seen in full bloom throughout the spring. This beach is also one of the secret beaches in South Africa. If you want to avoid the crowd, this is your place.

Things To Do:
  • Visit Verlorenvlei
  • Go Crayfish Diving in Eland’s Bay
  • Boegoeberg 4x4 Trail
  • Klein Tafelberg 4x4 Trail
Accommodations:
  • West Coast Luxury Tents
  • Fork West Holiday Apartments
  • Vensterklip
  • Louws Manor
Restaurants:
  • Wit Mossel Pot
  • Beach Bum
  • Elands Bay Hotel
  • Vensterklip Guest Farm and Restaurant

Pringle Bay

Pringle Bay

This quiet bit of heaven, located not far from more popular and less isolated spots such as Hermanus, is a fantastic weekend retreat not far from Cape Town. Whale watching is also possible from this location at certain times of the year. The location includes stunning mountain views and the sights and sounds of the ocean. Penguins can also be seen at adjacent Betty's Bay.

Things To Do:
  • Fishing
  • Whale Watching
  • Hiking in the Biosphere
  • Water Sports
Accommodations:
  • Pringle Beach Bay House by Raw Africa Boutique Collection
  • Moonstruck on Pringle Bay Guesthouse
  • Baytown Holiday Accommodation
  • Kapensis Guesthouse
Restaurants:
  • Bistro Three Six Five
  • La Galerie
  • Hanging Rock Kitchen
  • Hook, Line and Sinker

Coffee Bay

Coffee Bay

This beach is an all-arounder in the middle of the Wild Coast. Take a long walk along the water's edge, feel the breeze in your hair and horseback ride down the dunes, or simply relax and work on your tan at Coffee Bay. If you're seeking a bit more adventure, swim through the Hole in the Wall, and you'll find yourself entirely alone overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Places to See:
  • Hole in the Wall
  • Coffee Bay Beach
  • Arfitude
  • Jah Drums
Accommodations:
  • Ocean View Hotel
  • Hole in the Wall Hotel
  • Sugarloaf Beach House
  • White Clay
  • Swell Eco Lodge
Restaurants:
  • Sunset Sushi and Grill
  • White Clay Restaurant
  • Gigis Seafood Restaurant
  • Nosh
  • Kota Life Shack
Suggested Read: Sunset at the Beach

Kommetjie Beach

Kommetjie Beach

A wonderful narrative or an antique lighthouse are two elements that make a beach genuinely unique. Kommetjie possesses both and hence merits a position on the list of best beaches in South Africa. Needless to say, the view along the white sand beaches of South Africa’s Kommetjie Beach from the top of South Africa's highest cast-iron lighthouse is spectacular.

Places to See:
  • Slangkop Point Lighthouse
  • Baboon Matters
  • Long Beach
  • Pepe Charlot
Accommodations:
  • Long Beach Holiday House
  • Kommetjie Beach House
  • Tristan’s Beach House
Restaurants:
  • Fisherman’s Garden
  • The Green Room
  • Blue Water Café
  • Umami Restaurant

Private Beaches in South Africa

Private Beaches in South Africa

Everyone is aware of South Africa's breathtaking beauty and the fantastic outdoor activities available there. However, there are times when the beaches near the country's major coastal cities, particularly Cape Town and Durban, might see uncontrolled crowds. That's fantastic if you want to experience the energy of a busy beach town over the holidays. However, many people might choose a location that is significantly less populated and developed. Here are 5 locations that are either unexplored or loaded with amazing natural beauty and an interesting locality that is worth visiting.

  • Elands Bay, West Coast, Western Cape.
  • Umzumbe, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Uvongo Beach, South Coast KwaZulu-Natal.
  • Pringle Bay, Overberg, Western Cape.
  • Noetzie Beach in Knysna, Garden Route
  • With this, our list of best beaches in South Africa ends.

Bon Voyage!

Suggested Read: Top Beaches to Visit in Goa

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are there beaches in South Africa?

A1. Yes, South Africa has beaches. South Africa has no lack of beaches, with a coastline spanning approximately 2,000 miles and bordering two seas. Some are traditional sandy bays ideal for sunbathing and sandcastle construction.

Q2. What is the longest beach in South Africa?

A2. Yzerfontein brags South Africa's longest stretch of the ocean side, 16 Mile Beach, which runs from Yzerfontein's Main Beach in the South, as far as possible up to the beginning of the West Coast National Park in the North.

Q3. Are there penguins in South Africa?

A3. The African penguin is just found on the south-western shore of Africa, living in states on 24 islands among Namibia and Algoa Bay, close to Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Q4. How many beaches are in South Africa?

A4. Pristine waters, Sandy shores, and exquisite scenery. South Africa is just showing off with its array of coastlines and can now show off a total of 46 Blue Flag beaches in the country.

Q5. What are the nicest beaches in South Africa?

A5. The nicest beaches in South Africa are:

  • Coffee Bay, Wild Coast
  • Boulders Beach, Cape Town
  • Paternoster Beach, West Coast,
  • Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town

Author
Deepti Shangari
Deepti Shangari, a seasoned senior content writer, whose passion to write, manage and conquer knows no bounds. To her, the world is an ever-changing symphony of ecstatic motion, a mesmerizing dance of evolution and unfolding. With each passing moment, the vibrant tapestry unfurls before her very eyes, inspiring her to craft literary pieces that transcend the ordinary.