Cape Town's best free outing: sand, sun, rock pools and swims.
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The gold-standard family beach — long, gentle, lifeguards, shark spotters and a playground, with the Galley restaurant right next to the beach for ice creams or basic meals afterwards.
An entrance fee applies in peak season — check before you go.
The iconic huts plus a small sandy beach with a tidal pool — lovely family spot that gets busy.
A hit with toddlers: shallow with a sandy bottom and not usually busy. No bathroom though, so plan around that.
Small, sheltered coves near Boulders — calm water and another spot where penguins turn up.
Great family-friendly beach where you can surf — warm water, shallow, gentle waves and surf schools that do kids' lessons, with the famous colourful huts for photos.
Popular family-friendly tidal pool with a small strip of sand and rock pools to explore at low tide. The water is slightly warmer and the pool is mostly sheltered from the wind.
A small strip of beach between St James and Dalebrook, reached through a subway under the railway near St James station. It's a surf spot named for its rip tides and big waves, so swim in the little tidal pool to one side rather than the sea. Toilets, parking and lifeguards.
The village beach at Kommetjie, with rocks to clamber over and views across the bay to the mountains. It's cold Atlantic water, so it's more for walks and rock pools than swimming; the Soetwater tidal pools just south along Lighthouse Road are the safer place for a dip.
Two-part tidal pool with a shallow splash pool for children and a separate deeper section for swimmers. Access is via a walkway beneath the railway line.
The “insider” move right next to Boulders: free, calm, boulder-sheltered swimming — and penguins regularly waddle across anyway.
White-sand beach sheltered from Cape Town's summer south-easter, with lifeguards during the Blue Flag season from December to March. The Atlantic water is cold, access is down steps and parking is limited, so arrive early.
The classic long stretch of white sand below the Twelve Apostles, with restaurants, ice cream and loos right across the road. There's a lawn with palm trees for shade, and a tidal pool at the southern end that's gentler for little ones. Read more
Warmer than the open sea, with lifeguards, a jungle gym nearby, shade under the trees and little fish for kids to find.
Small beach cove with a sheltered gully that is popular for paddling, plus a playground on the lawns nearby.
Safe, easily accessible family tidal pool with shallow water for younger children and adjoining rock pools to explore at low tide.
Little tidal pool with beautiful sunset views and surrounding rock pools children can explore at low tide. It is quieter during the week.
Postcard Table Mountain view, rock pools at low tide and the Eden on the Bay restaurant strip behind — but the water is properly cold, so wetsuit vests earn their keep.
Compact family beach with generally gentler waves, a grassed picnic area and a playground. Its smaller size makes it easier for parents to keep an eye on young children.
Warmer family beach with fairly small waves and several shallow swimming spots for less-confident swimmers, plus a beachfront walkway and plenty of sand for beach games.
Secluded tidal pool with sweeping views over the rocky bay, plus a small water slide, sheltered natural sea pools, braai areas and picnic spots.
Five kilometres of white sand along False Bay, with gentle surf and safe summer swimming. It has a tidal pool for the little ones.
A small, sheltered cove on the Atlantic Seaboard with white sand and big granite boulders. It's quieter and more low-key than Camps Bay, with no shops or restaurants on the beach, so pack a picnic. The water is icy, and the waves can be strong for little swimmers. Read more
A small, quieter beach tucked just past Camps Bay, down a short path. It's popular with surfers, and a good option when Camps Bay is packed. There are no facilities on the beach itself, but Camps Bay's cafés are a short walk away. Parking is limited.
A tiny, pretty cove in Bakoven, with rock pools to explore and calmer shallows in the sheltered corners. It's small and local, with no facilities, so bring snacks and a wind layer. Parking is on the surrounding streets.
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