Our Top Five / Beaches >>

Here is our selection of the top five beaches in South Africa. With over three thousand kilometres of coastline, the choice is endless and your favourite will depend upon whether you like a busy, lively beach or having it to yourself. So we’ve selected both types and also those that are most accessible for tourists.

Camps Bay (Cape Town, Western Cape)

Camps Bay merits inclusion on this list not only because it’s in close to the centre of Cape Town, but also because it’s a cracking beach in its own right: white sand, decent surf, safe from the sharks that plague this stretch of coastline and some great bars where a young, trendy Capetonian crowd hangs out with the tourists. The temperature of the sea will make the bravest wince, but you’ll soon warm up in the intense summer sun. With the Twelve Apostle Mountains to your back, you’ll thank the sun for conveniently setting over the Atlantic Ocean stretched out in front of you. We particularly like nearby Ocean View House because if its individually-designed rooms, stylish decor and manicured gardens with views to Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles. Sandy Beach near Llundudno and the four Clifton beaches towards the Waterfront are also good alternatives.

Cintsa (Eastern Cape)

This wide, deserted beach stretches for miles to the north framed by the forested dunes on the left and powerful breakers on the right. These make for good surfing and lessons are available from Buccaneers Backpackers. Try a horse-ride through the dunes down to the beach and then open her up and canter beyond the last sun-worshipper.

Zinkwazi (KwaZulu-Natal)

This is ‘millionaire’s row’, where the wealthiest South Africans have their beach homes and it’s obvious why they’ve chosen it. The large, unspoilt lagoon winds through remote valleys before making its way at high tide across a white beach. Although it can get busy over the Christmas period, if you walk a short distance up the beach, you’ll have it to yourself. All-year round warm weather make this an especially good option if you’re in SA over winter.

Msikaba (Eastern Cape)

This is probably the most spectacular beach we've seen in South Africa. But it's also one of the least accessible, located at the north end of the Eastern Cape after a long drive along poor roads that are liberally scattered with livestock in the Transkei. Finishing with a 4X4 track to Msikaba, where there's a campsite and some basic accommodation options. However, the journey is worth it - the beach is simply superb. White sand, sparkling azure sea and massive sand dunes you can ski down in the nearbly nature reserve. Only a few South Africans have discovered it. The Wild Coast Hike from here is one of the best in SA. Nearby Mboyti also has a great beach and a smart hotel, but we found the service sorely lacking.

Kosi Bay (KwaZulu-Natal)

Kosi Bay is practically on the Mozambique border, right in the northern tip of KZN. Fortunately, this remoteness and the restrictions on development within the nature reserve, mean that you can enjoy the rare raffia-palm, fig and mangrove forests bordering on the four pristine lagoons on your way to the sort of spectacular beach that only tidal lagoons create. The main beach itself can only be accessed by a 4X4 or a 30 minute walk on foot (but you’ll probably be given a lift). There is some of the best snorkelling and shore fishing in SA, but be mindful of the massive leatherback turtles which (with a guide) you can see hatch their eggs on the beach from December to January at night on the beach.

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