For calm water and a family day, go to Clifton 4th. For bars and a scene, Camps Bay. For a sunset picnic, Llandudno. For warmer water and learning to surf, Muizenberg in False Bay, and for penguins, Boulders. Eight Cape Town beaches have Blue Flag status for 2026/27: Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg and Silwerstroomstrand.
Amaya is designed in Sea Point, on the Atlantic Seaboard, so beach days shape what we make. We say what we love; we are not affiliated with any of these places. Check hours before you go.
The Blue Flag list for 2026/27
The list was announced on 9 October 2026. It is the same eight beaches as 2025/26: Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg and Silwerstroomstrand. Four more are pilots: Chapman's Peak (Hout Bay), Big Bay, Strand and Strandfontein. Last season ran from 1 December to 28 February. Expect a similar window this summer, but check the City of Cape Town for dates.
Swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty in season.
Atlantic or False Bay: water temperature
Water temperature depends on which coast you are on.
- Atlantic Seaboard (Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno): the water averages about 13°C a year, and summer upwelling driven by the south-easter makes it colder still. Clifton is typically 12 to 16°C and can drop below 10°C in summer.
- False Bay (Muizenberg, St James, Boulders, Fish Hoek): averages about 17°C and is typically just over 20°C in summer, sometimes 22°C. Muizenberg often reaches about 20°C.
Water temperature changes with the wind. Treat these as rough guides, not promises.
Atlantic Seaboard
Clifton 1st, 2nd and 3rd
The Clifton beaches are four coves separated by granite boulders, which shelter them from the south-easter. You reach them by steps down from Victoria Road. Clifton 1st has the strongest surf of the four. Clifton 2nd is popular with students, with beach volleyball and beach bats. Clifton 3rd is the smallest and is known as a gay-friendly beach.
Clifton 4th
Clifton 4th has the calmest surf and Blue Flag status. Families come here, and yachts anchor offshore on summer weekends. Loungers and umbrellas are for hire. Alcohol is banned, even unopened. Parking is hard to find, so come early or take a ride.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is a Blue Flag beach with bars and cafés along Victoria Road. The water is cold and the shore break is strong. There is a tidal pool at the southern end and public showers. Watch your valuables. For a full day here, see our Sea Point to Camps Bay day.
Bakoven
Bakoven sits just south of Camps Bay. It is a quieter alternative to Camps Bay and Clifton, with the Twelve Apostles behind. Good for a sunset without the crowd: see our sunset spots guide.
Llandudno
Llandudno is a Blue Flag beach known for sunsets and surf. The water is icy and the shorebreak is hollow and punchy. There is only an ablution block, no shops. Parking is tight and the walk down is steep, so pack light and bring everything.
False Bay
Muizenberg
Muizenberg has small rolling waves and surf schools, which makes it the place to learn. It has Blue Flag status, Shark Spotters and a car-free boardwalk. The beachfront is being upgraded until December 2026: the surf stays open, but parts of the beach are fenced off and the beach huts have been dismantled. The water often reaches about 20°C in summer.
St James
St James has shallow rock pools that suit young children. It is about a 15-minute walk from Kalk Bay. For the tidal pool and the sea saunas along this stretch, see our tidal pools guide.
Boulders
Boulders is part of the Table Mountain National Park. The Foxy Beach boardwalks are for watching the penguins, and the Boulders cove is for swimming. One ticket covers both. Do not feed or touch the penguins. Payment at the gate is card only. Until 31 October 2026, entry is about R55 for South African adults and about R26 for children, and new fees apply from 1 November 2026. Parking is limited, so arrive early. It is about 45 minutes from the city.
Further out
Noordhoek
Noordhoek is about 35 km south of the city, below Chapman's Peak. It is long and isolated, with few crowds. Good for a long walk.
Blouberg (Sunset Beach)
Blouberg is just north of the city, with a view back to Table Mountain. It is popular with kite and windsurfers, which tells you it gets wind. The surf suits experienced riders.
Which one for what
| If you want | Go to | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Calm water, families | Clifton 4th | Steps, hard parking, no alcohol |
| Bars and a scene | Camps Bay | Cold water, strong shore break |
| Shelter from the south-easter | Clifton 1st to 4th | Granite boulders between coves |
| A sunset picnic | Llandudno | Steep walk, bring everything |
| Quiet | Bakoven | Quieter than Camps Bay |
| Warmer water | Muizenberg | Often about 20°C in summer |
| Learning to surf | Muizenberg | Surf schools on the beach |
| Small children | St James | Shallow rock pools |
| Penguins | Boulders | Card only, arrive early |
| A long walk | Noordhoek | Isolated |
| Kitesurfing | Blouberg | For experienced riders |
Most Atlantic beaches mean steps, sand and a drink across the road afterwards. The Amalfi Dress (R1 850) is linen and goes straight over a swimsuit. The Nusa Top (R1 199) is a linen top for the walk from Clifton's steps to Victoria Road. The Jaipur Dress (R1 850) is a printed maxi in one size, so it fits into a beach bag and works for lunch in Kalk Bay. Packing for the summer? Our Cape Town December packing list has the rest.
Delivery and exchanges
Amaya delivers across South Africa for R99, free over R1 500. Cape Town takes 1 to 2 working days, Johannesburg and Pretoria 2 to 3, the rest of South Africa 3 to 5. Collect in Sea Point for free. The first exchange is free within 14 days.
WhatsApp Max on +27 83 703 8502.
Updated October 2026. We update this guide every season.
