7 Best Sights in Cape Peninsula, South Africa

The residential neighborhood of Llandudno is known for its far-flung, virtually off-the-map location and for its large number of expensive, sea-facing houses; people commute from here to Cape Town. It's also pretty much just around the corner from Hout Bay, so it's a good place to come if you're based there but want a proper beach experience that includes swimming and a bit of a vibe. There are lifeguards, which is good because the current can take you by surprise; the beach also sees many surfers. Parking can be a pain as there's precious little of it, so arrive early––and take supplies for a picnic on the beach, as there's nothing for sale. There's a rocky headland known as Sunset Rocks which is, obviously, just gorgeous for watching the sun sink at the end of the day (as late as 9 pm in summer). Even if you see locals jumping off the boulders into the sea, avoid copying them––folks have died hitting their heads on rocks under the water. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

This beach is a well-known surf spot because of its riptides and large waves, hence its name. For safety's sake, it's recommended that people swim in the tidal pools, farther along the beach. This small strip of beach can be accessed via the subway, underneath the railway. What the beach lacks in amenities it makes up for in peacefulness and good waves for surfing. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing.

With the southern corner protected from southeasters by Elsie's Peak, this sandy beach attracts retirees and families with young kids, who appreciate the calm, clear water—it may be the safest swimming beach on the Cape, although sharks are sighted fairly regularly in the bay between September and March (though that doesn't stop people from swimming, surfing, and boogie boarding here); shark spotters are employed to keep an eye out and warn beachgoers. The middle and northern end of the beach are also popular with catamaran sailors and windsurfers, who often stage regattas offshore. The snorkeling is good, and it's a great beach for boogie boarding. It's also one of the best places to see whales during calving season—approximately August to November—though there have been whale sightings as early as June and as late as January. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Cradled in a lovely bay of the same name and guarded by a 1,000-foot peak known as the Sentinel, Hout Bay is the center of Cape Town's crayfishing industry (legal and otherwise) and operates several fish-processing plants. It also has knockout views of the mountains, gentle surf, and easy access to the restaurants and bars of Mariner's Wharf. The fact that this is a working harbor combined with the flow of raw sewage into the sea, means this is, unfortunately, a polluted beach, however beautiful it looks. While walks are fine, you're advised not to swim here. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: solitude; walking.

A vast expanse of white sand stretching 6½ km (4 miles) from the base of Chapman's Peak (Noordhoek Beach starts here) to Kommetjie (where you find Long Beach), this is one of the wildest and least populated stretches of uninterrupted beach, with fluffy white sand and dunes, behind which sit a lagoon and private nature reserve. Because of the wind and the space, these beaches attract horseback riders and walkers rather than sunbathers, and the surfing is excellent (especially off Long Beach). There are no lifeguards and there is no bus service, and, as at some other beaches, at the wrong times and more isolated spots, there are real safety concerns (particularly the lonely stretch of sand right in the middle). Despite patrollers on horseback and the occasional all-terrain vehicle, crime is an issue here, and women, in particular, should be careful. Tourists always do best not to look like tourists. Hang out with other people, just in case, unless you're part of a group. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets (Noordhoek). Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; walking.

Once the fashionable resort of South African high society, this beach is now the place where locals—from all corners of Cape Town—swim, picnic, and learn to surf. A long, sandy beach with a reliable break, this grand old lady of the city’s (relatively) warm-water beaches is known for the colorful bathing boxes of the type once popular at British resorts. Lifeguards are on duty, and the sea is shallow and reasonably safe—and there is reliable shark spotting. If you're keen on stretching your legs, you can walk along the beach or take the picturesque concrete promenade known as the Catwalk, which connects Muizenberg to St James. Be careful not to walk the latter path alone or when it is very quiet or dark, and be extra vigilant as there have been muggings involving stone-throwing. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.

Known for its brightly colored Victorian-style bathing boxes, this stretch of sand has tidal pools that are great for exploring with children; the shallow pools make for safer and warmer swimming, too. A sheltered cove from the wind and convenient location near the St James train station means this beach gets incredibly busy in summer and on weekends. Parking is a nightmare on busy days, so plan your visit carefully. Amenities: toilets. Best for: swimming.