Cape Town's Beaches

No 6 Colli has easy access to the beaches on both the Atlantic seaboard and the False Bay coast.

The Atlantic Beaches include:

• Clifton (about 15 minutes from No. 6), consists of four adjoining beaches, set away from the road. To access these you climb down a series of steps. Clifton, (and most of the other Atlantic coast beaches) tends to be more sheltered from the south-easter wind than the False Bay coast.
• Camps Bay was recently voted in the top 10 beaches in South Africa. It is easily accessible from the road and is flanked by award-winning restaurants and cafes. Camps Bay provides a relatively safe environment for children, where you can easily keep your eye on them.
• Hout Bay is a picturesque village, where Mariner’s Wharf combines commercial fishing and tourist activities. A number of sea charters leave from this the harbour, which visit the Duiker Island seal colony. Wonderful seafood can be enjoyed, either as a ‘take-away’ or in a more ‘civilised’ restaurant environment. The seafood platter from Mariners Wharf restaurant is at its best eaten on the balcony, at sunset, overlooking the harbour.
• Llandudno is a secluded, uncommercialised beach, situated between Camps Bay and Hout Bay.

(Swimming on the Atlantic coast often comes second to sunbathing, as the water can be rather bracing. A wetsuit may be advisable for body-boarders or surfers, or those wanting to experience extended swimming sessions.)

The M3 gives you access to the beaches of the slightly warmer False bay, such as Boulders Beach (a pay beach, where you can see the African Penguin), Fish hoek and Muizenberg.

• Muizenberg is popular with surfers and boasts a long stretch of white sand.
• Fish Hoek is a safe swimming beach.

Boulders Beach is a pay –for –entry beach that forms part of the Sanctuary for the African penguin. After walking along the boardwalk to have a close look at the penguins, head back towards the beach and settle between the huge boulders for a relaxed day out. The huge boulders in the sea form a sheltered area which makes it a suitable swimming area for children. The beaches of Gordon's Bay and Bloubergstrand are slightly further afield.