The following list highlights some of the best beaches in South Africa. So if you are in South Africa, I recommend visiting the following:
The Best Beaches in Eastern Cape
Gonubie Beach, Gonubie
Address – Crowned Crane B+B, Gonubie, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 32°56’44.3″S 28°01’31.7″E
Gonubie Beach is located in Gonubie. Not only does this beach have a wonderful promenade offering fantastic sea views, but the river mouth provides hours of beach, artificial tidal pools and abundant vegetation.
Coffee Bay Beach, Coffee Bay
Address – Ocean View Hotel, Coffee Bay, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 31°58’52.5″S 29°09’10.4″E
Coffee Bay has a population of 258 people. The name of the city is due to the hundreds of coffee trees that grew from beans scattered by a shipwreck or by looters. The area is full of diverse flora and fauna.
The Best Beaches in KwaZulu-Natal
Thonga Beach, Mabibi Campsite
Address – Thonga Beach Lodge, Mabibi Campsite, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 27°19’46.7″S 32°45’02.3″E
Thonga Beach Lodge is located in Mabibi Campsite. This beach offers guests a unique opportunity to discover the incredible world beneath the surface. The lodge has a resident diving instructor and offers a wide range of accredited and complete SCUBA diving courses. There is a luxurious beach hotel that offers five types of rooms built with wood, straw and glass on elevated platforms.
The Best Beaches in Western Cape
Paternoster Beach, Paternoster
Address – Paternoster Beach, Paternoster, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 32°48’23.3″S 17°53’38.9″E
Paternoster Beach is located in Paternoster. is a popular tourist destination and is known for lobster and bleached fisherman’s cabins. The remarkable coastline of jagged cliffs and white rocks make this one of the most beautiful beaches on South Africa’s west coast.
Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town
Address – Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 34°06’30.7″S 18°28’13.4″E
Muizenberg Beach is located in Cape Town. It is situated where the shore of the Cape Peninsula curves eastwards along the False Bay coast. It is considered the number one surf spot in Cape Town and is currently home to a community of surfers, centred around the popular “Surfer’s Corner”.
Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town
Address – Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 33°57’00.1″S 18°22’39.9″E
Camps Bay Beach is located in Cape Town. It consists of a set of small beaches protected between the cliffs and a well-established picnic area with lawn, seats covered with tables, benches and public toilets.
Llandudno Beach, Llandudno
Address – Llandudno Beach, Llandudno, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 34°00’28.0″S 18°20’28.0″E
Llandudno Beach is located in Llandudno. It is one of the most diverse beaches in the Cape, surrounded by large granite rocks and overlooking the mountains. It is a popular place for surfing, but swimming can be treacherous, with rough seas and extremely cold waters.
Langebaan Beach, Langebaan
Address – Langebaan Beach, Langebaan, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 33°05’25.2″S 18°01’48.0″E
Langebaan Beach is located in Langebaan. It is a wide expanse of white sand that extends as far as the eye can see. It offers the opportunity to practice various water sports and during the weekend you will see locals and tourists queuing with their boats on the dock and in the bleachers to launch them.
Boulders Beach, Cape Town
Address – Boulders Beach, Kleintuin Rd, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, 7995, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 34°11’53.0″S 18°27’08.4″E
Boulders Beach is located on the eastern coast of the Cape Peninsula, in Cape Town, South Africa. Both sandy and rocky, this unique beach is famous for the colony of African penguins roaming around the sand. The water is clear, calm, and safe for swimming, with little to no waves. Around the beach, you can spot signs with all kinds of information about penguins. There are shops and places to stay nearby. Keep in mind that it can get busy during the afternoons.
Blouberg Kite Surfing Beach, Cape Town
Address – Blouberg Kite Surfing Beach, Milnerton Rural, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 33°49’27.8″S 18°28’38.2″E
Bloubergstrand Beach is located in Cape Town, in Western Cape, South Africa. This picturesque beach offers some of the most breathtaking views, with sharp rocks, flower fields, and the Robben Island breaking the horizon. Being soo windy and extensive, Bloubergstrand Beach is a favorite kitesurfing spot, with perfect waves for surfing and paddleboarding. There are a few restaurants and bars along the beach, as well as shops and accommodation. It can be crowded during weekends afternoons.
Strand Beach, Cape Town
Address – Strand Beach, Strand, Cape Town, 7139, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 34°06’24.4″S 18°49’05.7″E
Strand Beach is located in Cape Town, in Western Cape, South Africa. An extensive stretch of soft white sand, offering picturesque views and the perfect spot to spend a fun beach day. The water is shallow and calm, safe for everyone to swim, making it a favorite beach among families with small kids. You can find a few restaurants, resorts, and stores along the beach, with ice cream vendors passing by frequently. It can get busy in the mornings, but the beach is extensive enough so it never feels crowded.
Saldanha Beach, Saldanha
Address – Saldanha Beach Area, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 33°00’00.5″S 17°57’16.2″E
Saldanha Beach is located in Saldanha, in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Serene and picturesque, this long white sandy beach is lined with bushes and flowers, offering stunning views. The water is calm and safe for a relaxing swim. With a peaceful atmosphere and warm weather, sunbathing here is a must. You can find many resorts and some restaurants and bars in the area. It tends to be busy during weekend afternoons.
Grotto Beach (Blue Flag), Hermanus
Address – Grotto Beach (Blue Flag), Grotto St, Hermanus, 7200, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 34°25’10.9″S 19°17’53.2″E
Grotto Beach is located in Hermanus, in the Western Cape region of South Africa. This wide sandy beach is backdropped by mountains, giving off dramatic views. Here, the Klein River meets the sea, so the water tends to be colder than usual; with lifeguards on duty, the beach is safe for swimming. It is a dog-friendly beach, and the stretch of soft sand is perfect for walking. You can find accommodation and some restaurants in the town. Keep in mind that it can be busy during weekends afternoons.
2nd Beach Danabay, Mossel Bay
Address – 2nd Beach Danabay, Dana Bay, Mossel Bay, 6510, South Africa
Google Maps Link – 34°12’26.6″S 22°01’52.4″E
2nd Beach Danabay is located in Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Peaceful and dramatic, this unique beach offers a long stretch of soft sand, perfect for walking and with unforgettable views. The waves and undercurrents are strong and make swimming dangerous, but you can find great fishing spots. Besides, it’s a dog-friendly beach. There are a few places to stay nearby. On weekends, it tends to be busy during the day; on weekdays, it is usually busy around the evening.