Could there be a better collection of beaches in the world than we have in the Western Cape? I doubt it. With clear, white sand and the deep blue sea, combined with easy access and plenty of choice, the Cape is the perfect place to soak up the sun.
While some enjoy lying covered in oil in order to darken their skin tone, the beaches offer more than just frying in the African sun. They are a social hub, an adventurer's playground and an ornithologist's manna from heaven.
The unique layout of the Cape Peninsula with the eastern and western sides divided by an impressive mountain range means Cape Town can have four seasons in a day. It also means if you are a determined beachgoer, then chances are you will find a protected white spot next to the sea even though the wind may be howling elsewhere in the peninsula.
The western coastline includes many beaches from Elands Bay, the surfer's paradise about two hours from Cape Town to Melkbos and Blouberg, with their smooth pebbles, wide open sandy spaces and spectacular, iconic views of the city and the |mountains.
A bit closer to town is Dolphin Beach, with its exposure to the Cape southeaster, the summer wind that covers Table Mountain with a table cloth. It is a popular kite-surfing beach.
Many of Cape Town's finest beaches are just minutes away from the city centre. Clifton's famous four are packed solid in the festive season with each beach "unofficially" designated.
Clifton four is the family beach and umbrellas sit side by side providing colourful cover from the summer heat.
The other beaches range from students, trendies to gay and straight. Don't get me wrong - anyone is |allowed on any beach, and no one will be checking your status.
Further up the coast, Llandudno sits pretty in her little alcove and if you want to get your kit off, Sandy Bay is the Cape's nude hangout beach. Take the scenic Chapman's Peak Drive and as you round the other side you'll spot a long beach, stretching from the popular horse riding beach, Noordehoek, to Kommetjie, another surfing hotspot. While the western beaches are trendier than their eastern counterparts, the beaches on the east side are just as beautiful and the water is warmer, sometimes by as much as four to five degrees.
Muizenberg, the trendy beach of a bygone era, is slowly making a comeback to its glam days, and is great for long swims and surfing.
False Bay is also home to St James and its colourful beach houses, and further along the coast in the direction of Cape Point, Boulders is a picturesque little beach which you'll share with the cheeky Jackass Penguins.
Across the bay sit the protected beaches of the Helderberg. Bikini Beach in Gordon's Bay lives up to its name in season and the family beach in the Strand offers easy swimming options.
In between sits the Blue Flag beach of Mnandi as well as Macassar, Monwabisi and Strandfontein on which you'll see a line of patient fishermen.
Safety
As beautiful as our beaches are and as idyllic as the sea appears, the sea and sun can be dangerous. Always use sunblock with a minimum factor 30 protection, and you need to re-apply it regularly.
Swimming is encouraged, but always make sure there are lifeguards around before entering the water. Sharks are present in these waters, more on the False Bay side but not exclusively, and there have been attacks. The non-profit Shark Spotting Programme will be operational at Muizenberg beach, Fish Hoek and Clovelly, St James and Kalk Bay, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Blue Waters, Strand (in front of the lifesaving club), Long Beach, Kommetjie and The Hoek (Noordhoek). Shark spotters will also be at Glencairn until January 7.
Emergency numbers in the event of a shark attack are: NSRI: 021 449 3500 and Metro Rescue: 021 937 0301.
- Blue Flag status is awarded to those beaches with high levels of water quality, facilities, cleanliness and safety. The Cape's three are Clifton, Mnandi and Bikini Beach.