Whatever your preferred holiday style, there is always time to take it back to the beach.
South Africa has an extensive and diverse coastline, with spots well-suited to city-slickers, lazy beach bums or adrenalin junkies alike.
And while the Mother City is listed regularly as one of the world’s most popular destinations for various reasons, its spectacular beaches are often part and parcel of the appeal.
READ: SA's Best Beach Breaks | The Secret to planning the perfect Beach Break
In this list we go a little deeper than the well-known blue flag beaches of Clifton to help you find a secret spot for your next beach break.
Add one of these to your Secret Cape Town hit list.
1. Platboom Beach - Cape Point Nature Reserve
Wild and unspoilt, Platboom Beach is a long and sandy beach that makes for a spectacular off-the-beaten track experience. Entry is through the Cape Point Nature Reserve, which is a daytrip that never disappoints. This beach is also hugely popular with adventure-seeking kite surfers.
2. Diaz Beach - Cape Point Nature Reserve
Yet another Cape Point Nature Reserve hideaway spot, Diaz Beach is only accessible by foot. This beach isn’t ideal for swimming and there are no lifeguards on duty, but it is exceptionally beautiful as an end point to a day hike through this part of the Table Mountain National Park.
3. Sunset Beach – Blouberg
Just a few hundred metres form the ever-popular Blouberg beach – where some of the most iconic pics of Table Mountain looming over Table Bay are taken - is where you will find Sunset Beach. It’s less busy, not as popular with the kite surfers and makes for a spectacular sunset or sunrise beach walk.
4. Buffels Beach - Cape Point Nature Reserve
And if you really want to cool off in the water, Buffels Beach is the spot for you in at Cape Point. The beach has an awesome tidal pool, perfect for small families. There are also fixed braai places to cook up a storm, and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with the whole family.
5. Beta Beach – Bakoven
A tiny beach nestled in the quaint streets of Bakoven, Beta beach has a pristine view of Lion’s Head. It is not as popular as the Camps Bay strip and provides a tranquil and somewhat empty setting for a languid day at the beach.
6. Smithswinkel Bay – False Bay
This one is true to form when it comes to being a real secret, mostly because of the steep 20-minute walk down to enjoy all it has to offer. Visitors will need to park off the M4 before the corner to Cape Point. This spot is really off the grid, so best you bring all you’ll need for the day. The reefs along this beach are also extremely popular with scuba divers as there are five wrecks in the bay.
7. Water’s Edge – Simon's Town
This one is off-the-beaten track and may even give you the impression that it is a private beach but it’s not. Some may even consider it part of the exquisite Boulders Beach, but it’s rather secluded beyond Boulders Beach between Sea Fourth. The warm False Bay waters make this a beach day for the books.
EXPLORE: Latest Beach Breaks
Read more by Topic: