37 of our best beaches in South Africa (from east to west)

Writing a post on the best beaches in South Africa has been one of the more challenging pieces we’ve had to do. It’s no surprise that we are big fans of the beach, and particularly the beaches in South Africa. With over 2500 km of largely untouched coastline, we are blessed with some of the best beaches of all shapes and sizes in the world. From long sandy stretches to rocky coves and sheer cliffs, the South African coastline is not short of idyllic settings.

We figured the best way to do this list would be in geographical order starting at the Mozambican border in the east and working our way along South Africa’s coastline westwards. That we could avoid the pesky (and practically impossible!) task of having to name a winner. We’ve divided the coast into the tourism regions of each province. In some regions the choice of best beach is obvious, but in other instances, where the coastline is very similar for hundreds of kilometres, we’ve picked one or two spots that in our opinion best represent the entire area.

So, here goes: 37 of our best beaches in South Africa

The Elephant Coast

1. Kosi Mouth

Kosi Mouth takes our top honours in the far northern reaches of KwaZulu-Natal. The proximity to the Kosi Lakes with their 700-year-old fish traps, as well as the option to snorkel the Aquarium Reef makes it the perfect place to bunker in and spend hours on the coast.

The famous Kosi MouthThe famous Kosi Mouth.

2. Black Rock

Black Rock gets its name from the rocky outcrop that forms the southern border of the bay. It provides some great cover from the south-westerly wind as well as a breakwater that creates a safe haven for swimming. The coastal dune is also covered in strelitziaswhich gives the beach a very different feel from it’s neighboring rivals. We found it best avoided during peak holiday season if you want the feeling of a secluded playground.

Black Rock ViewThe headland that gives this beach its name.

3. Lala Nek

As far as snorkeling goes, for us, Lala Nek is as good as it gets. A rocky shelf provides the perfect cover during low tide to explore this aquatic dreamland without being bombarded by waves or carried off in the long-shore drift. Every time we’ve visited Lala Nek we’ve been the only people on the beach for miles.

Lala Nek is one of the best beaches in south Africa for snorkellingBevan at Lala Nek: One of the most remote beaches in South Africa.

4. Mabibi

Mabibi is a short drive from the more popular Sodwana Bay, and can be challenging to get to on the soft, sandy roads, but the effort is well worth it. At low tide, the rocky shelf on Hulley Point pokes through the surface of the water creating the most inviting rock pools to swim and explore. We’ve collected a number of telling sunburns from Mabibi as it’s just impossible to get out of that warm, blue water.

Mabibi beachThe low tide uncovers the beautiful rock pools at Mabibi.

5. Sodwana Bay

This one is a bit of a no-brainer. Sodwana Bay is famous for being one of the best beaches in South Africa, so for this list, we’re not going to argue with that. It’s possibly best known for its world-class scuba diving, however, beach-goers of all persuasions will find something to love about this coastal treasure.

Sunset at Sodwana Bay in northern KwaZulu-NatalSunset at Sodwana Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal: One of the most popular beaches in South Africa.

6. Cape Vidal

Cape Vidal is listed as one of the Jewels of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and one look at the place is all that’s needed to see why. The Casuarina-fringed coastline is a fantastic place to spend a day, and at low tide, there’s a great snorkelling option at the rocky point near the boat launch site.

Cape Vidal coastlineCape Vidal coastline: one of the gems of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The KwaZulu-Natal North Coast

7. Christmas Bay

Just a few minutes north of the popular and often crowded beaches of Ballito, we’ve come to enjoy the quiet charm of the more secluded beach at Christmas Bay. The best of the North Coast without the madding traffic and crowds.

ChristmasChristmas Bay is a great place to visit any day of the year.

Durban

8. Umhlanga

Being a well-known tourist attraction, Umhlanga can get a bit congested in the holiday season, but that said, there is good reason why. The beaches at Umhlanga are among the best beaches in South Africa and a walk along the promenade, past the lighthouse, and the up the pier is one of our favourite things to do. Especially during the winter months when KwaZulu-Natal treats us to its famous sunny and mild weather.

Umhlanga lighthouseThe famous Umhlanga lighthouse is an iconic feature on the Umhlanga coastline.

9. The Golden Mile

Having grown up in Durban, the bias here will be fairly obvious, but we really can’t think of a city blessed with a better stretch of sandy coast than Durban. The promenade that extends from uShaka Beach in the south all the way to the Umgeni River mouth is the city’s pride and joy and is enjoyed by thousands of happy beach-goers every day.

Durban beachfrontThe Durban beachfront is definitely home to some of the best sandy beaches in South Africa.

The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast

10. Scottburgh

We really struggled to narrow down our picks for the South Coast because there are just so many, but one of the firm favourites is definitely Scottburgh. It’s a great swimming beach, and if the Mpambanyoni River isn’t flowing into the sea, there can be a cool little estuary to play in as well. One of our favourite features on the beach is the grassy lawn that overlooks the sea. Nothing hurts more than trying to rid yourself and all your possessions of beach sand after a long day in the sun, so having a sand-free space to relax near the water is a real winner.

Scottburgh beachThe beach at Scottburgh is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the region.

11. Kelso

Kelso is one of the best beaches on the South Coast to have remained off the beaten track. This quiet town (it you can even call it that) is home to one of our favourite beachfront camping grounds. The water is warm, the beach is lovely and there aren’t too many people about – what’s not to like?

Kelso beachCrisp winter mornings are the best times to be on the beach on the South Coast.

12. Umzumbe

With Blue Flag status and a protected swimming area, Umzumbe has been a go-to beach for us for years when we’ve wanted to enjoy some beach downtime. It has all the quaintness and charm you’d expect from the South Coast and is far enough away to feel like you’re away from it all, without actually having to go that far.

Umzumbe BeachUmzumbe beach is one of the gems of the south coast.

13. Trafalgar

There are a number of excellent and popular beaches on the far South Coast, but there’s something about Trafalgar that feels very secluded and peaceful. It’s also just around the corner from the Mpenjati Nature Reserve, which is  famous for it’s petrified trees and another fantastic stretch of coastline.

Trafalgar beachTrafalgar beach: Secluded and peaceful.

The Wild Coast

14. Msikaba

Msikaba is just south of the Mkhambati Nature Reserve on the Wild Coast and can be quite a mission to get to. The beach at Msikaba presents all the hallmarks of a classic Wild Coast exhibit including miles and miles of empty coastline to explore – there’s even a small island just off the beach that is fun to check out at low tide. One of the added attractions of this area is the Msikaba River Gorge, which is the roosting site for hundreds of Cape Vultures. These impressive birds can be seen coming in to land in the late hours of the afternoon.

Msikaba beachMsikaba beach is a quiet getaway in the Wild Coast.

15. Lwandile

It took a long time of dedicated searching down dozens of dirt roads in a time before GPS and Google Maps for us to finally arrive at one of our favourite Wild Coast beaches: Lwandile. There are few words that can accurately describe the feeling of freedom you get from this place. Getting to the beach requires a short hike over the hills, which gives you one of the best views of the Wild Coast you can find. The beach itself is completely spellbinding! There’s just no other place like it.

wild coast lwandileIf we had to put forward a candidate for the all-time best beach in South Africa – Lwandile might just be it…Lwandile wild coast viewThe best views of the Wild Coast at Lwandile.

16. Mdumbi

Mdumbi, with its wide sandy bay, grassy hills and mangrove-lined estuary is a regular feature on any list of the best beaches in South Africa, and this list will be no exception. Its remote location and idyllic setting makes it one of the more exotic beaches in South Africa and for us, it’s the Wild Coast at its best!

Mdumbi beachMdumbi is definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa.

17. Coffee Bay

Coffee Bay has one of the best backdrops of any of the beaches we’ve seen. Ancient hills terminate at sheer cliffs that fall headlong into the clear, blue sea. All that’s needed is to find a quiet patch in the shade of a coastal Milkwood tree to watch it all from and you have the everything you could possibly need for the day.

wild coast coffee bay cliffThe majestic landscape of Coffee Bay.Coffee Bay cliffsThe sheer cliffs of Coffee Bay.

18. Qolora Mouth

Qolora Mouth has become a regular stop for us when travelling to and from Kei Mouth via the river ferry. The coastal scenery here is stunning and there’s some great beach hiking with the famous, but quickly deteriorating, Jacaranda shipwreck just east of the river mouth.

Qolora MouthAll the good things about the Wild Coast at Qolora Mouth.

19. Morgan Bay

Morgan Bay is simply fantastic! The mix of sandy beaches, rocky points and towering cliffs that provide spectacular views in all directions makes it an easy pick for our list of best beaches in South Africa. Another notable mention accessible from Morgan Bay is Bead Beach in the Double Mouth Nature Reserve where we found 400-year old Carnelian beads and Ming pottery. And all this just a stone’s throw away from East London.

Morgan Bay evening on the beachSunset on the beach at Morgan Bay.

20. Cintsa West (and East for that matter)

Around Cintsa, the nature of the coastline starts to change from grassy hills and craggy cliffs to vegetated sand dunes which go on to characterise the rest of the Sunshine Coast. These impressive features trim the edges of the coast, and give way in sections to incredibly beautiful estuaries and river mouths.

Cintsa west beachCintsa West beach at sunrise.

21. Glen Eden

Just a little way down the Jikeleza Route and outside of the city of East London lies Glen Eden. Fine white sand dunes, a rocky point and blue water for that refreshing dip after a long walk!

Glen EdenGlen Eden – East London’s hidden treasure.

East London

22.  Nahoon beach

Of all the beaches around East London, Nahoon is our favourite. The high dunes make for a picturesque backdrop, which is best viewed from the elevated vantage point of the boardwalk that meanders its way through the coastal vegetation of the main headland.

Nahoon BeachNahoon beach has an awesome walkway with views over the bay.

The Sunshine Coast

23. Kenton-on-Sea

It’s fairly safe to say there’s no other stretch of coastline quite like Kenton-on-Sea. The angular sandstone rock formations that litter the shoreline are unique to this town and add to the overall character of its coast. At low tide it is possible to walk all the way along the beach between the Kariega River to the east and the Bushmans River to the west, with plenty of hidden beach coves and rock pools to explore. At high tide, simply wander the coastal path along the top of the vegetated dunes and sandstone clifftops, or explore the picturesque river banks.

Kenton on seaKenton-on-Sea: One of the most unique coastlines in South Africa.

24. Supertubes – Jeffrey’s Bay

Surfers will need no introduction to Supertubes owing to the fact that it’s the home of the best right-hand pointbreak in the world. Waves aren’t the only natural phenomenon around here though. The beach at Supertubes is carpeted in shells of all shapes and sizes, which means that there’s always something different to expect when taking your walk on the beach.

supertubes in the eveningNothing beats and evening on the beach at Supertubes.

25. Cape St Francis

Cape St Francis is the perfect little beach village; a handful of cozy beach houses nestled among the fynbos at the tip of a rocky peninsula. The town’s coastline consists of a long stretch of white-sand beach, an iconic lighthouse and a wind-brushed wild side which is great to explore.

Jill hiking Cape St Francis LighthouseJill hiking the Wildside Trail at Seal Point.Cape St Francis BeachThe fine sand beach at Cape St Francis.

The Garden Route

26. Nature’s Valley

The Garden Route is littered with beautiful beaches, but Natures Valley is something special. Maybe it’s the narrow winding road through unspoiled indigenous forest to get to it, or the fact that this tiny tucked-away coastal town is completely surrounded by nature that makes it so enchanting but either way, we love it! For nature lovers this is the perfect destination, and visitors can spend time exploring the scenic beach or hiking the trail through the dunes to the Salt River mouth.

 

Natures Valley ViewThe beautiful Nature’s Valley, viewed from the Salt River mouth hiking trail.

27. Lookout Beach

Plettenberg Bay is one of the icons of the Garden Route. This holiday town couldn’t be in a more picturesque setting. Flanked by the Robberg Peninsular to the south and the Keurbooms River to the north, this town has plenty of coastline to explore. Of its beaches, Lookout Beach is our favourite for its spectacular scenery. As well as plenty of daytime beach fun, this is the perfect beach from which to watch the sun set. As the name suggests, the beach overlooks the wide sandy bay, Keurbooms River mouth and the Outeniqua mountains as they stretch their way into the distance.

Lookout beach in Plettenberg BayLookout Beach in Plettenberg Bay.

28. Goukamma Nature Reserve and Sedgefield

For us, the Goukamma Nature Reserve and Sedgefield beaches have some of most unique dune formations along the Garden Route. The fossilized sandstone cliffs that line the beaches create interesting wind- and water-shaped headlands. The dunes are covered in fragrant fynbos and the white sand beaches stretch on for miles. We found it a great place  to escape the holiday crowds and set up a quiet picnic spot all to ourselves.

Goukamma Nature ReserveThe coastline of the Goukamma Nature ReserveFosilized dunes in SedgefieldIncredible fossilized dunes in Sedgefield.

29. Victoria Bay

Victoria Bay, or Vic Bay as it is affectionately known, is a small beach town tucked away at the bottom of some steep coastal cliffs. The beach itself is a delightful stretch of sand between two rocky points that is very popular among holiday makers and surfers alike. It has a wonderful holiday vibe and is the perfect place to while away the day.

Victoria Bay BeachVic Bay – A dream holiday beach.

Cape Town

30. Scarborough

One of the more remote beaches on Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard, Scarborough is the last stop south before the Cape Point Nature Reserve on the Cape Peninsula. For this reason, its beaches are usually very quiet and offer the perfect escape from the Cape Town crowds. It has all the ingredients of a great Cape beach – mountains that lead down into an icy blue ocean and long white sand beaches juxtaposed with dark rocks, blackened by the ocean spray. Definitely one of the best beaches on the Cape Peninsula.

Scarbourgh BeacgOne of the more remote beaches around Cape Town.

31. Long Beach

Long Beach at Kommetjie has to be one of the prettiest of the Western Cape’s beaches, and is one of the most perfect settings for that dream beach lifestyle. Here a white sand beach edges the blue kelp-fringed water, beach paths run down sandy tracks between the whitewashed houses, children and dogs frolic on the beach and, across the water, the mountains of Hout Bay provide a dramatic backdrop for the scene playing out in front.

Long BeachLong Beach has some stunning views of Hout Bay in the distance.

32. Noordhoek

The beaches at Noordhoek have a wonderful wild quality about them, even though they are smack bang in the middle of suburbia. We found Noordhoek great for long walks on the wide sandy stretches, and the perfect destination to enjoy that refreshing feeling of coastal wilderness near Cape Town.

Noordhoek beachNoordhoek is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cape Town.

33. Llandudno

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful setting for a sunset than Llundudno. The amphitheatre of boulders and mountains that surround the beach light up in the evening glow, and provide a sheltered corner even if the wind is blowing.

Llandudno beachOne of the best beaches to experience one of those famous Cape Town sunsets.

The West Coast

34. Yzerfontein

Yzerfontein, just 90 km up the west coast from Cape Town, is a small harbour town that is home to one of South Africa’s longest uninterrupted beaches. Sixteen Mile Beach stretches on for, well we’re guessing, 16 miles?! Another epic white sand beach with fynbos-covered dunes, this spot is exceptionally beautiful during the spring months when the wild flowers add splashes of luscious colour to the scenery.

Vast stretches of emptiness in YzerfonteinVast stretches of emptiness in Yzerfontein.

35. Jacobs Bay

There are dozens of exceptional beaches on the West Coast Peninsula, but Jacobs Bay seemed to capture our imagination the most. Still one of the quieter towns in the area, Jacobs Bay offers all of the charm of the West Coast beaches without the crowds and remains a simple and laid-back beach destination. Take a walk on the long white sand beaches and breathe in deeply the scent of salt mixed with fynbos and kelp.

Jacobs Bay BeachLong beach walks on an unspoiled coastline await at Jacobs Bay.

36. Draaihoek

We’re not really sure what the name of this beach is, so we’ve presumptuously named it after the awesome little guesthouse that’s situated nearby. This is one of the quietest stretches of beach we came across while exploring the West Coast. There is just miles of white-sand beach with rolling sand dunes extending in either direction for as far as the eye can see. If you’re looking for that feeling of seclusion, Draaihoek is it!

Sunset over DraaihoekSunset over the dunes at Draaihoek.

The Northern Cape

37. Noup

As with Draaihoek, we’ve named this beach after the beautiful beach camp that overlooks the bay. Idyllic Noup encompasses all that’s right with the Northern Cape coastline. Scrubby Namaqua-style fynbos peppers a spread of rolling sand dunes that meets the cold and moody Atlantic Ocean. Did we mention it also has some of the most dramatic ocean sunsets in the country?

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