Think of Cape Town and you’re bound to think of beaches – this city is renowned for having some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.
So you have a day to spend as you wish and friends along for the ride, what are you going to do? Hire a sedan and stop at the nearest beach all day? Or go on a sidecar adventure and take in as many of the beautiful bays and beaches you can with long lazy riding along the meandering coastal roads in between?
Hands down, the cool people will choose to do the latter!
With so many beaches from which to choose, we’ve divided them up into three geographical regions to make things easier for you when planning your day.
We start with Cape Town's most fashionable location – the Atlantic Seaboard known as Millionaire's Row. Stretching from the young and cosmopolitan Sea Point, via Clifton and Camps Bay to Llandudno and Hout Bay, these are the beaches that attract the beautiful people from all over the world. The beaches enjoy more wind protection and longer daylight hours than the False Bay Coast.
Next we take in the area known by locals as The Deep South. A breathtaking ride over Chapman's Peak brings you to Noordhoek. This exquisite beach is especially popular for kite boarding, surfing, horseback riding and long, peaceful walks at sunset.
The Atlantic meets up with the Indian Ocean at Cape Point. From Noordhoek you drive to Kommetjie, then to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve past Scarborough – a wild beach beloved by locals and eco-tourists.
Next we get to the False Bay coastline which ranges from Simon’s Town through to Muizenberg via Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek.
Simon’s Town boasts the pretty beach, Boulders, home to a thriving colony of African penguins – a must-see in this area.
This coast was once Cape Town's fashionable bathing area as the water temperature here is far more conducive to bathing. Popular beaches in the area, such as St James with its brightly coloured bathing booths and tidal pool and protected Fish Hoek, are winners with families.
Muizenberg, site of numerous surf schools as the waves here are perfect for learning on, is the start of a long, white beach running 40km to Gordon's Bay.
Finally we have the beaches in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town - Bloubergstrand's Big Bay & Little Bay.
Big Bay is a popular venue for surfing, windsurfing and paddle skiing competitions. Little Bay is ideal for sunbathers and families. These are the beaches from which all those famous picture are taken of Table Mountain across False Bay.
Enjoy spectacular sunsets, or try Kite- and Wind- surfing – the conditions are perfect!
The beach in The Strand stretches 5km along Melk Bay. You can stop off for miniature golf, a slide down the watertube or a swim at the two tidal pools.
Further along you’ll reach Gordon’s Bay – a holiday village with a harbour which is very popular for fishing and water sport enthusiasts.
If you’re really enjoying your ride, keep going! The coastal road between Gordon’s Bay and Cape Hangklip is one of the most scenic routes in the country, and has an excellent road surface making for a very pleasurable bike drive! |
