Magical Cape Town Beaches

Cape Town offers some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, with sunny white beaches stretching east to west. It’s no surprise that many of South Africa’s beaches have been awarded the blue flag status, given only to the most perfect beaches of the world. Part of the allure of this area is that this is where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The Atlantic lies on the west side and is about 4 degrees cooler. Many of the most popular beaches lie on this side of the coast, with many referring to it as South Africa’s “Riviera”. These beaches are lucky to have longer days and protection for the Cape winds, making them a very pleasant experience indeed.

One of the most notable is Clifton which is comprised of 4 beaches all together, it is no doubt one of the most fashionable beaches. The wealthy all aspire to own homes fronting its snow white sands and people fly from all over to see and be seen against the backdrop of the bright blue water, decorated with gleaming white yachts.

The East coast however has the warmer water with many hidden and secluded gems, which tourists travel from far and wide to experience. These are also preferred by local families wanting to steer clear of the crowds along the west coast. Each beach has its own particular charm however, so it’s always best to go to a few and decide which is most suited to your tastes.

If you are thinking about visiting this side of the world you are sure to be left with more than just a glowing tan, but fond memories of this captivating region and the hospitable people which reside in it. There is a wide array of accommodation options you can take advantage of such as Self Catering Accommodation & Holiday Rentals or hotels. There is plenty to choose from and they line the coast, offering a wonderful way to experience the sun and surf offered by Cape Town, South Africa.

Cape Town Beaches

Cape Town beaches are arguably the most spectacular beaches in the world. From small, intimate rock pools to long expanses of white sand and crashing waves, Cape Town has a beach to suit everyone from sunbathers to surfers. Afton Grove is ideally located for those wishing to explore this collection of beautiful white sandy beaches and rocky coves of both the cold Atlantic as well as the popular swimming beaches on the warmer False Bay coastline.

The desire for white sand and blue ocean water, lying on a beach with golden sunshine warming your body, eyes closed, thoughts drifting to the sound of seagulls and the caress of waves is the idyllic dream of many a holiday maker. Finding a beach is not normally something most vacationers find difficult, but finding the right beach for your needs is sometimes trickier, so here are some tips for your beach holiday from Afton Grove.

For long invigorating walks:

Noordhoek or Muizenberg beaches are the first choice. Noordhoek Beach, is only a five minute drive from Afton Grove country Retreat and has 8 km of unspoilt pristine white sand and is also the resting place of the steamer the Kakapo that ran aground in 1900.

Family beaches with a child friendly environment, include:

Muizenberg for family friendly surfing and fun extras like a waterslide and mini-golf putt-putt. St James beach is characterized by the colourful beach houses and a tidal pool which is ideal for kids. Fish Hoek beach is the ultimate family friendly beach with a wide swathe of sand for building sandcastles, gentle swell for the kids to body board and swim and a playground. Glencairn and Hout Bay are wonderfully safe swimming beaches for the kids, with stretches of white sand to play on or in. Boulders Beach was voted best family beach in the world by the UK Telegraph in March 2007 which is hardly surprising considering the safe swimming, beautiful setting amongst granite boulders and of course the opportunity to swim with penguins. Llandudno with it’s protected bay and granite boulders are fabulous for hide and seek and Camp’s Bay is close to lots of facilities.

For sunbathing and people watching:

Clifton is the main hub for local beach-bodies and various activities of beach-bats, volleyball and Frisbee games. Camps Bay is also popular for surf-skiers and volleyball players and sun lizards to catch the suns rays before joining the jet-set on the Camps Bay strip for cocktails. Sandy Bay – a short walk from Llandudno near Hout Bay is ideal for an all-over-bare-all tan.

Nature and wildlife experiences:

One can do Whale Watching from July – November from all the beaches on the False Bay coastline, Schusters Bay in Scarborough and Hout Bay Beach.
To view or swim with African Penguins, Boulders Beach is the place to be.
Dolphins have been spotted along both coastlines with close viewing sometimes possible from Camps Bay and Clovelly.
If you are lucky you can spot the Cape Clawless Otter on Kommetjie’s Long Beach.

The Cape Peninsula is a beloved year round birding destination with a variety of exciting species and fynbos endemics especially in in the Mountain fynbos which abounds on the Peninsula. Or try a pelagic boat trip from Simonstown to see up 20 plus sea bird species, including albatross, shearwaters, storm petrels & giant petrels.

Romantics will be seduced by the smaller hidden coves that most drivers miss from the road. Hike down to Smitswinkel bay just before the road turns towards the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve entrance – a bay frequented only by private residents or fisherman – the effort is worth the privacy. Scarborough or Misty Cliffs on the Atlantic Coastline are beautiful sandy beaches, dotted with an occasional surfer or windsurfer. The crowds seldom visit Windmill Beach or Fisherman’s Beach on the southern end of Simon’s Town, both as picturesque as the more famed Boulders Beach. Glen Beach adjacent to Camps Bay is another secret gem that is more secluded than its more famous neighbour.

There is no shortage of water based fun activities:
The Cape is a popular sea kayaking and surfski destination with kayak trips from Simon’s Town and surfski school at Fish Hoek or Hout Bay beaches.
Surfing abounds on all sides with Muizenberg ideal for beginners and more experienced surfers can catch waves at Dalebrook near Kalk Bay; Kommetjie, Scarborough, Llandudno (famed for the Big Wave Challenge) and Glen Beach near Camps Bay.
Boat trips leave from Hout Bay or Simon’s Town and also leave from the V & A Waterfront. There is a mixture of leisure cruises, harbour cruises, seal island cruises, Cape Point cruises depending on your needs and time allocation.

Fishing is vastly popular and you can book a deep sea trip with an experienced skipper or get a permit for angling off the shore. The predominant offshore fish species are yellowfin tuna, longfin, mako and occasionally dorado. Inshore there is yellowtail and cape snoek with options for hooking cape salmon and kob.
Under the water, scuba diving in the Cape offers a fascinating discovery of ghostly shipwrecks, huge kelp forests, coral gardens and deep reefs but contact one of the local professional dive operators for advice.

On land book a horse ride with your hosts on Noordhoek beach. Gallop through the waves with a sense of unrequited freedom or enjoy a quiet sunset ride whilst watching the sun meet the horizon across the Atlantic.

Source: Cape Town beaches

Noordhoek accomodation

Deep Sea Fishing Cape Town

Cape Town offers some of the finest Big Game Fishing in the world. The warm Agulhas current of the Indian Ocean meets the cold Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Point, the most southern most tip of the Cape Peninsula. Fuelled by seasonal upwelling along the west coast, this incredibly productive system produces huge numbers of bait fish, which in turn attract large numbers of pelagic as well as coastal game fish.

Professional charter services with experienced skippers and crew are available for big game fishing, game fishing and pelagic birdwatching. Deep Sea Fishing can be enjoyed all year round in Cape Town with Yellowfin tuna usually arriving in large numbers between March and June and again from October to December. These fish can weigh between 50 and 120kg and are found in the deep waters so tuna fishing usually takes a full day. Other species include Longfin tuna, Yellow Tail, Cape Salmon, Swordfish, the odd Marlin and the occasional dorado.

Cape Snoek are available during the winter months. This underrated game fish moves into our waters in huge quantities during the months of May to September. These fish are generally found at depths of around 15-20 meters and are generally in the 5-7kg class. This fishing is for everyone including complete novices.

Cape Town waters are home to a number of difference cetaceans such as common dolphins, dusky dolphins, Southern Right Whales, Humpback whales, Bryde’s whales and Killer Whales (Orca). Mako and blue sharks are often encountered as well as Cape Fur seals and coastal and pelagic seabirds including numerous species of species.

Two Oceans Sport Fishing Charters:

They operate out of the Simon’s Town waterfront and offer conventional as well as fly fishing charters. They currently hold the record for the largest yellowfin tuna taken on fly- weighing in at 76kgs. They are affiliated to Cape Town Tourism and captain Dave Christie is IGFA certified and a qualified marine biologist.

Their boat, Obsession, is a cutom built 30 foot catamaran sport fisher, powered by twin 200 Hp four stroke outboards and capable of doing 40 knots under calm conditions. Obsession is very well equipped with top quality Penn International and Shimano tackle and has an enclosed onboard loo.

Obsession undergoes an annual safety survey by the South Africa Maritime Safety Authority and carries all safety equipment onboard at all times, she is licenced to carry 12 passengers. Radio contact is maintained with coastal radio stations throughout the day, providing a safe and enjoyable charter. A light lunch and refreshments are included.

Source: Deap Sea Fishing
Cape Town Guest House

Top 10 Safety Tips For Cape Town Visitors

Don’t let the bad press about South African crime put you off visiting the beautiful city of Cape Town! Follow these simple safety guidelines and look forward to a fun, incident-free vacation in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

1.Don’t walk around late at night unless you keep to well-lit places like the Waterfront and Camps Bay. Rather take a (decent) taxi than risk being mugged in a dark side street after nightfall.

2.Don’t accept help from a stranger at an ATM when drawing cash.

3.Stay in a group when out at night.

4.Don’t ~wave’ your bag, camera or cell phone around while walking in the city, day or night. This attracts undesirable attention. Avoid keeping anything of value in back pockets or open backpack compartments.

5.Keep the windows up and the car doors locked when driving around the city.

6.When driving, discourage ~smash & grab’ theft by keeping bags, keys, cell phones or anything ~tempting’ on the floor and not on the seats.

7.If you wish to visit a township, go with a reputable tour guide, not alone. It’s easy to get lost and some neighborhoods are less safe than others.

8.Fancy a train ride? Go on one with a blue ~Biggsy’s Restaurant Car’, enjoying a cup of coffee or a yummy breakfast while watching Cape Town’s suburbs pass by the window. Unfortunately, despite the security staff on the trains, muggings and harassment are fairly frequent. Traveling in the restaurant car is a safer, more comfortable experience.

9.Don’t give cash to beggars. Rather make a donation to a registered local charity. Money gained through begging, unfortunately, is inevitably ill-spent. Giving out cash also makes you a candidate for being mugged once you have your wallet out.

10.If you are eating out or watching a movie, do not put your bags on the floor or hang them over the back of your chair. Keep them on your lap, to avoid becoming a victim of opportunistic bag-snatchers. These scoundrels have even been known to operate in churches!

Remember: Pickpockets and muggers are a sad fact of life the world over. Just be careful, and you’ll find Cape Town as friendly, safe and enjoyable as any busy cosmopolitan city in the world.

Source: Article Snatch
Guest House Cape Town

Cape Town in South Africa has Impressive Mountains and Marvelous Beaches

The city is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and by idyllic landscapes with a unique fauna and flora, impressive mountains and marvellous beaches on the Cape Peninsula, the warm False Bay and the rough West Coast.

City centre:

Here you can take a tour on an open-topped bus. The historical centre offers many sights and attractions such as The Castle, the Company’s Gardens, the flea market on Greenmarket Square and the South African Museum.

Table Mountain:

A visit to Table Mountain is a must when you are in Cape Town. From a plateau, which can be reached by cable car or walking, you have a spectacular view of the city.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront:

The Waterfront consists of several restored wharves in the harbour of Table Bay. Here you will find a huge shopping mall, the Two Oceans Aquarium, two markets with African Art, the South African Maritime Museum and much more. Many restaurants and cafes invite you to sit and relax. There is live music at every corner, and excursion boats offer harbour trips. www.aquarium.co.za

Robben Island:

This Iland became famous through its most prominent prisoner, Nelson Mandela, who spent more than 20 years there. Daily guided tours are offered.

Cape Town beaches:

A few minutes’ drive from the city centre will bring you to the most beautiful beaches such as Clifton, Camps Bay, Bantry Bay and Green Point, to name just a few. All water sports are offered there and the beaches are first class – as well as the property prices, unfortunately.

Cape of Good Hope:

After a 25-minute drive from Cape Town you arrive at the Cape of Good Hope via the magnificent and spectacular Chapmans Peak Drive. Here you can take a walk through an 8000 ha nature reserve that offers impressive coastlines and beaches, Rocky Mountains, magnificent views of the sea and a great variety of plants and animals.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden:

A paradise for botanists. Apart from the beautiful indigenous flora and lovely lawns you can enjoy high-quality summer concerts.

Source: Ezine Articles
Cape Town Guest House