Cape Town Beach Vacations: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling

Cape Town Beach Travel Guide

Cape Town beach, South Africa (Friedrich von Horsten/courtesy, South Africa Tourism)

Photo Galleries

South Africa's Top Ten Attractions Photo Gallery

South Africa Gallery: 2010 FIFA World Cup Stadiums

Cape Town Beach Travel Tips

By Matt Link

With its location between the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Cape Town enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, with wet winters and dry summers (don’t forget—the seasons are reversed in this Southern Hemisphere country). Summer mornings tend to be sunnier than the afternoons, and any time of year the waters around Cape Town are a bit chilly for swimmers.
The Atlantic side of Cape Town has the best beaches, notably in the upscale enclave of Camps Bay, home to a string of nice restaurants and cocktail bars. This area also boasts the best sunsets.
One of the best beaches in Cape Town is Blouberg Beach. Popular with surfers and kiteboarders, it’s a huge beach with excellent photo ops of Table Mountain.

Beach Overview: Cape Town, South Africa

By Matt Link

Raved about as one of the best cities in the world, no doubt you've heard about Cape Town's superb restaurants, hotels, nightlife, and historical sites, not to mention its beaming people and gorgeous mountains. What many first-timers are surprised to also find is a city that, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere during summer, appears more like a Southern California enclave with sprawling beaches, sandy cafes, sun-kissed teenagers, and, yes, even a thriving surfer-dude culture. The confluence of the (warmer) Indian and the (colder) Southern Atlantic oceans makes for a fascinating world of penguins, whales, and great white sharks. But worry not—Cape Town's array of perfect beaches are safe for swimming, surfing, kiteboarding, and just plain sunning, even if the water itself is a bit chilly.Read More

Get Advice About Cape Town

Do you have a travel question about this destination or can you provide a tip to a fellow traveler? Join the discussion in our Travel Q&A.
I get sea sick. how rough/long is boat ride from Capetown?
Asked on July 18, 2011 by Sue
See all questions and answers about Cape Town »

Hotels

from: $81

Winchester Mansions - Hotel

221 Beach Road
Cape Town, South Africa

Distance: 1.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

View More Photos

Expert Rated & Recommended

Camps Bay Resort - Hotel

32 Camps Bay Drive
Cape Town, South Africa

Distance: 3.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

View More Photos

Expert Rated & Recommended

from: $200

The Bay Hotel - Hotel

69 Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Cape Town, South Africa

Distance: 3.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

View More Photos

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Cape Town Hotels »

Cape Town, South Africa Hotel Prices Made Easy
Orbitz.com - Just Orbitz and go!
Hotel Deals in Cape Town, South Africa
Expedia.com - Don't just travel. Travel right!
Book Now with Cheap Tickets and Save on Cape Town, South Africa Hotels!
CheapTickets.com - Just click. You're there.
Find the best rates for hotels in Cape Town, South Africa
Kayak.com - Life's a trip.

All Cape Town Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Cape Town

	Distance (mi.)
Cape Town International Airport	2.8map

Cape Town Beach Advice

A Hedonist's Guide to Cape Town
Cape Town is destined to be a major star during the 2010 World Cup. Here, we take a high-rolling look under the hood of this famously scenic, historic, and happening jewel of the Southern Hemisphere. Away Travel
Top 10 Cape Town Out-of-Town Excursions
With the 2010 World Cup rolling into town, we take a tour of the best day trips and overnighters in and around Cape Town, South Africa's outstandingly scenic and activity-rich "Mother City.". Away Travel
October Parks and the Outdoors Travel Guide
Gorp Travel
Top Ten Bike Tours for Foodies
What better way to sample the culinary delights of a region than by pedaling along its backroads, enjoying the scenery and working up an appetite for the next meal. Away Top Ten
Top Ten Active Beach Vacations
From biking to kayaking, horseback riding to swimming, snorkeling to hiking, these beach destinations will keep your heart racing on your next vacation. Gorp Top Ten
November Culture Travel Guide
Away Travel
Climbing & Canyoneering: Top Destinations
Canyoneering. Gorp Travel
Table Mountain: Abseil Off South Africa's Ubiquitous Landmark
Motherless at 1,066 Meters. Gorp Travel
Sea Kayak in Hout Bay
A paddle-perfect cove, a seal-crowded isle, and cold, cold water. Away Travel
Horseback Riding Along South Africa's Long Beach
Finding "the quiet within" along the Noordhoek Valley. Away Travel
The Cape of Good Hope: Africa's Metaphorical Southernmost Point
Stomping along Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Gorp Travel
A South African Safari
Tracks across the Karoo and in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Gorp Travel
Top Ten Train Rides
Southern Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa. Gorp Top Ten
On the Wild Side
Western Cape. Gorp Travel
South Africa Highlands
History. Gorp Travel
Top Ten Southern Africa Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
Kloofing Near Cape Town. Gorp Top Ten
Top Ten Spots for Experiencing Sharks
Eastern Hemisphere: Whale Route, South Africa. Gorp Top Ten
Grape Town, South Africa
Access and Resources. Away Travel
+ Show more Cape Town Beach Advice
- Show less Cape Town Beach Advice