About Western Cape

At first glance, the diversity of the beaches of the Western Cape does not have a prominent distinctive feature. There is no clear predominance of mountain landscapes or crystal sea, on the contrary, everything seems balanced. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the flow of tourists continues to grow from year to year.

Western Cape Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Good for Relax

Hobie beach

Plettenberg Bay 1 km
Very good
8.1
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
6.1 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Lappiesbaai beach

Stilbaai 1.8 km
Very good
8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
2.7 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Grotto beach

Hermanus 4.8 km
Very good
8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Fine sand bottom
3.7 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Yzerfontein beach

Yzerfontein 0.5 km
Good
7.9
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Blue pure water • Crowded in season
2.7 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Gordon's Bay beach

Sir Lowry's Pass 6 km
Good
7.8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
2.7 Amenities index
Good for party

Reebokstrand

Reebok 0.7 km
Good
7.8
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Deserted
2.7 Amenities index

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 121 beaches in the region.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Western Cape.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Western Cape, they are as follows:

  • The region's beaches are mainly wide, long and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is fine sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is moderately gentle, such beaches are 92.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Western Cape is less than 500 meters. 114 beaches are relatively easy to access, 7 beaches are difficult to access, which in most cases means that you have to walk a quite long distance.

Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of Western Cape however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on Western Cape's beaches

Knoetzie beach
8 Ashlea Jantjies

Although it is a bit dangerous as it is a dirt road for the first few kilometres I deem it so worth the experience! The beautiful scenery and crips cold water was definitely worth the drive.We loved taking our pups for a swim and enjoyed the beautiful sunsets while playing board games until the sun came up I would definitely plan my next week-long trip there!

Paternoster beach II
10 Mark Jensen

We stayed at Dunes Guesthouse in April '23 and the location was absolutely amazing. Our room was just a few steps away from the stunning beach, making it the perfect spot for enjoying a beach-side sun-downer. The staff was incredibly friendly and the atmosphere was welcoming. Additionally, the breakfast was delicious. I would definitely recommend this place.

Sandbaai beach
10 Jax Mitchell

We stumbled upon this beach not too long ago. Despite the rain that day, it was evident that the beach possessed a captivating beauty and tranquility that made me promise to come back once the weather improved. Since then, we have visited the beach two more times, solidifying its place as one of our go-to destinations in the future. It truly showcases nature's utmost splendor. 👌

Hobie beach
10 Lorenzo Marino

This beach is a true gem, with its crystal-clear waters and immaculate sand. It's a must-visit destination, especially in the morning when the gentle breeze adds to the serene atmosphere. The beachfront is lined with charming restaurants, a delightful ice cream shop, and clean restrooms for your convenience. You can also witness the launch of boats from the shore, which adds to the excitement of the place. And don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for the playful dolphins that call this beach their home!

Lappiesbaai beach
10 Maxim Kuznetsov.

This stunning beach has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status, indicating its exceptional cleanliness and safety. After a leisurely stroll along the shore, take a break at the nearby restaurant and savor a satisfying meal or grab a quick bite to go. And on those scorching hot days, treat yourself to a delectable ice cream – the strawberry soft serve comes highly recommended!

Grotto beach
10 Lila Kostova

This beach situated on the whale coast is undoubtedly one of my top picks! The atmosphere is incredibly safe and pristine, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll. Additionally, the beach's cleanliness is noteworthy, making it a must-visit location for those seeking a serene and refreshing environment.

Please note that lifeguards supervise 5 beaches in the region, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

The hottest month of the region is February - air temperature during this time warms up to 25.4°C and water up to 21.4°C. The coldest month is August - air temperature drops to 15°C and water to 15°C.

Do you know how many beaches there are in Western Cape? In total there are 121 beaches and the most popular is Clifton beach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in Western Cape?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in Western Cape, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 121 beaches in total, of which about 21 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in Western Cape:

View all beaches in Western Cape and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in Western Cape?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in Western Cape, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in Western Cape and create your selection by features.

How to view all beaches in Western Cape on map?

What are all easy accessible beaches in Western Cape?

Most of the beaches located in Western Cape are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in Western Cape by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in Western Cape:

View all beaches in Western Cape and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in Western Cape?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

View all beaches in Western Cape and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in Western Cape?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in Western Cape by occupancy.

Popular categories:

If the presence of a crowd on the beach is critical for you, pay attention to where you should not go in the season.

View all beaches in Western Cape and select by features

Which beaches in Western Cape are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

How to view all beaches by amenities details in Western Cape?

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in Western Cape?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in Western Cape and select by activity