Hermanus Beaches

Rowweklip Beach is a tiny private beach nestled between Grotto Beach and Voelklip Beach. From the Rowweklip bench you can see the sun rise and set. It's a magical place.

Pringle Bay beach is a stunning long and wide beach with sugar white fine sand. This beautiful sandy beach is surrounded by sand dunes on the one side and the ocean on the other. It is set against a backdrop of mountains covered by unique fynbos. It's a great place to watch the sun set over the distant Table Mountain.

Situated on the Whale Coast in the little coastal village of Gordon's Bay, the family friendly Bikini Beach is one of Cape Town's six Blue Flag Beaches, indicating a high level of water quality, facilities, cleanliness and safety. Along the False Bay coastline there are four Blue Flag Beaches, these are Mnandi Beach, Muizenberg Beach, Standfontein Beach, and of course Bikini Beach at Gordon's Bay right out on the easternmost side of False Bay. Bikini Beach is an excellent swimming beach as the water is usually warm, calm and clear. Named after the numerous bikini clad Stellies students (Stellenbosch University) who are regulars, this intimate little beach has its own particular charm. Surrounded by the craggy Hottentot's Holland mountain range on one side and the harbour breakwater on the other, Bikini Beach is a good option when the wind is howling. From Bikini Beach you have a never-ending view of the entire False Bay which curves in a huge arc from Gordon's Bay right round to Cape Point at its westernmost extremity. The shops are not far away and there are good changing room facilities. Also on the eastern shore of False Bay is Gordon's Bay Beach and Strand Beach, which are both great family beaches.

With its five kilometre long stretch of white sand, Strand Beach is a perfect family beach for swimming, sunbathing and a variety of marine sports. There’s even a tidal pool for anyone who is not brave enough to plunge into the mellow surf.And if its waves you’re after, there are a number of surf spots to suit every level of surfer. Wannabee surfers can grab a lesson or two in gentle waves with Stand Surf School - 083 232 4822.Although the beach is mostly sandy, there are two rock pools frequented by rock and surf anglers at low tide.The town of Strand lies right next to the beach with a plethora of beachy restaurants and drinking spots. Access to the beach is easy and parking is never a problem.

Dramatically surrounded by sheer craggy cliffs, Diaz Beach is situated right at the tip of Cape Point on the western side. It deserves its reputation as one of the most scenically stunning Cape Town beaches. Access to this beach is down a series of wooden stairs and only takes about 20 minutes. The climb up can take twice as long; will probably leave you breathless and sweaty but it is well worth the effort. Standing on Diaz Beach gazing at the relentless waves battering the 200 metre cliffs, you will be moved by the sensation of adventure and awesome power of nature that radiates from this lovely place. On most occasions you'll have the beach to yourself, occasionally sharing it with troops of baboons and flocks of seabirds. Swimming on this beach can be dangerous. Diaz Beach can produce excellent waves with a North Westerly wind and the right swell direction. Surfers love it for its big, hollow, closeout barrels. Photographers love it for its awesome beauty and many moods. Couples love it for romantic beach walks.

Fisherman's Beach is a lovely little sandy cove squeezed between rocky pinnacles near the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach and Simon's Town Golf Course. The beach is surrounded by lawns and is perfect for a game of beach ball with family and friends or simply soaking up the sunshine. Here the warmer ocean temperatures of False Bay make Fisherman's Beach a great spot for body surfing, boogie boarding and kayaking.

Boulders Beach, which is part of the Table Mountain National Park, is home to a sizeable colony of African penguins. These cute and comical birds waddle around quite unperturbed by the hordes of tourists who flock towards them. Huge boulders create sheltered little coves and the resident penguins often swim past for a look at the people.Boulders is the most fabulous swimming beach in Cape Town. A swim in the calm, warm waters of Boulders Beach is always fun on a hot summer day but – you never know – you may just see a sleek black and white penguin swimming past. You can also do a fun paddling trip past the penguin hangout. Of all Cape Town beaches, Boulders Beach is one of the most popular beach spots for kids and an absolute haven for toddlers. It’s safe and you can relax while pipsqueak splashes around or totters after penguins without having to watch out for unpredictable waves. It is the most sheltered beach on the False Bay side when the South east wind blows.

Situated in the corner where the rather wild northern shore meets the rocky but well populated eastern side of the peninsula, is a long family-friendly beach where almost every Cape Town surfer learned to catch a wave. Recently awarded Blue Flag Beach status, Muizenberg Beach is one of the most popular Cape Town beaches and is a hit with kids. Muizenberg Station is conveniently situated right on Muizenberg Corner. The whole beachfront is pretty crowded with loads of kids, families, dogs and noise. Muizenberg Beach has all the usual facilities, like showers, surf shos & schools, a couple of nice restaurants and coffee shops on the beachfront and close by. There is a useful walkway from Muizenberg to St James, just on the seaward side of the railway line.

With its famous and much-photographed Victorian bathing huts, Saint James Beach is a wonderful place for family leisure. The protected tidal pool combines the feel of ocean swimming with the safety and calm of a swimming pool. Collect shells, investigate interesting rock formations, or relax on the nearby lawn. Refreshments, cafes and restaurants are within easy walking distance.

The soft white sands of Clovelly Beach have been the starting point for relaxing morning and evening strolls around the Fish Hoek bay for generations. Fringed with ancient sand-dunes and washed by the 'Indian ocean', beach-goers enjoy a temperature that's often several degrees warmer than the Atlantic waters on the peninsula's west side. A small offshore ridge gives junior surfers a perfect little practice wave, and hobie-cats and sea-kayaks launch into the ocean further down. Clovelly beach provides a peaceful alternative to the busy Fish Hoek side of the bay. Whales frequently bask in the shallows from June to November, and dolphins provide great entertainment as they glide and bounce around in the surf.

Fish Hoek Beach stretches for just over a mile at the head of a beautiful bay. It's one of the most popular Cape Town beaches for families, and there is loads of space for them to spread out. The northern side, Clovelly, is usually relatively peaceful. Fish Hoek often has a nice little wave and it's very popular with swimmers and young surfers. From the southern end of the beach another one of those great walkways hugs the southern end of the bay. It's a great walk, especially in whale season, and there are lovely tidal pools.

The longest, uninterrupted white beach in the Southern Hemisphere? It's right here at Struisbaai - all 14 kilometres of it! Struisbaai beach is a wonderful walking beach with safe swimming. The quaint, bustling fishing harbour attracts photographers and artists alike and is an impressive sight when the fishing boats come in. Most of their catch is destined for community supper tables and restaurants in the area.