Cold water...

Camps Bay has a great beach, but icy cold water...

The only downside though is that for swimming the water on most of the Western Cape coastline is quite cold! As a general rule, if swimming is your main reason for heading to the beach, it's worthwhile to make the trip to one of the beaches on the eastern (False Bay) side of the Peninsula - as they offer slightly warmer water. The water temperatures on the two sides of the Peninsula differ by 5-7 degrees Centigrade, sometimes as much as 10 degrees.

If you spend 95% of your beach time on dry land then the beaches on the western side of the Peninsula is probably a better option. The latter beaches, while family friendly, are the abode of the younger, hip and "in" crowd, as well as sun-worshipping tanning beauties and yuppies. Those on the eastern side are frequented more by families, especially those with toddlers.

Indian & Atlantic Ocean sides of Peninsula?

Cape Point, meeting place of two oceans?

Many erroneously refer to the west and east sides of the Peninsula as the Atlantic and Indian Ocean sides. There's a lot of debate on the issue but the broad consensus is that the division between the two oceans probably lies at the most southern point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, ±200km east and slightly south of Cape Point. While the latter is the most south-western point of Africa, and much more scenic than Cape Agulhas, it is not the most southerly point.

However, the waters on the two sides of Cape Point do differ markedly - not only in terms of temperature but also marine life. The reason for this is that Cape Point probably marks the approximate meeting point (longitude) between the Cold Benguela and Warm Mozambican Currents, which flows along the west and east coasts of Southern Africa, explaining the extremely rough and dangerous seas off Cape Point. These two currents are also the main reason why Southern Africa's east coast is sub-tropical (less true in the Western Cape province), while the sub-continent's west coast is arid.

Sunshine
While the western side of the Peninsula has colder water it has slightly longer days, at least in terms of direct sunlight. This may seem strange, as its beaches are only a few kilometres west of the beaches on the opposite side of the Peninsula (as the crow flies). What makes the difference is the mountainous nature of the Peninsula. A high mountain ridge line runs down the whole length of the Peninsula from Table Mountain (1085m) in Cape Town proper all the way to Cape Point at its south-western point. This extended mountain ridge-line means that the sun actually sets quite a bit earlier on the eastern side of the Peninsula compared to the west, which only has the ocean and the earth's curvature between it and the sun!

Another fact to consider is that due to the region's climate summer days are long and sunny while winter days are mostly wet and cold. While the sun sets as late as 20:30 in summer it sets as early as 06:00 in winter. Remember that the Southern Hemisphere's seasons are the exact opposite of those in the north, i.e. July is mid-winter and December mid-summer.

Water Sports
Cape Town is an ideal destination for lovers of water sport. The beaches, or launch sites / harbours for boat based activities, are easily accessible and locals are either active in water sports themselves or very open to those who are. There are various clubs catering for different disciplines and you'll be able to hire equipment either through them or specialised operators. Africa Deluxe Tours will gladly arrange the latter for our clients. Lessons are also available in most disciplines that require it.

Some of the more popular water sports in Cape Town include sea kayaking (surf-ski's or expedition type craft), surfing, windsurfing, kite-surfing (the newest craze), scuba diving (including shark-cage diving for tourists), deep-sea fishing and sailing. Cape Town Harbour features in the Cape to Rio Yacht Race as well as the round-the-globe events. If you are more inclined to joining a not-so-active sunset cruise along the Peninsula's beautiful shoreline that can be arranged as well.

We have divided beaches in the greater Cape Town area into four regions. Click on a region to view its beaches: Table Bay | Cape Peninsula - western shoreline | Cape Peninsula - eastern shoreline | False Bay