Where to swim: Cape Town’s top Blue Flag beaches this summer

Cape Town’s coastline is stacked with choices, but its Blue Flag beaches stand out for consistent water quality, safety, and environmental management.

With the holiday season around the corner, these five spots are among the best places to swim, relax, and enjoy the city’s peak summer weather.

Take a look…

1. Camps Bay Beach

Camps Bay remains one of Cape Town’s most photographed coastal stretches. The beach offers wide sands, lifeguards during peak hours, and easy access to restaurants and cafés along the strip. The Atlantic water is crisp, the sunsets are bold, and the mountain backdrop gives the beach its signature look. Expect crowds, but the space is generous enough to stretch out.

2. Clifton 4th Beach, Clifton, Cape Town

Clifton 4th is the jewel of the Clifton series and consistently earns Blue Flag status for its clean water and strong safety record. Sheltered from the wind by surrounding granite boulders, it’s one of the few Atlantic beaches where you can spend an entire afternoon without battling the south-easter. Pack light, though. The steps are steep.

3. Muizenberg Beach

On the False Bay side, Muizenberg offers warmer water and a laid-back surf culture. Known for its gentle waves and colourful beach huts, it remains Cape Town’s most accessible spot for beginner surfers. Lifeguards are visible throughout the season, and the long shoreline gives swimmers plenty of space. Families tend to stay here for good reason.

4. Llandudno Beach

Llandudno doesn’t have commercial development, which is part of its draw. Tucked between mountain slopes and large boulders, the beach stays pristine and quiet even when busy. The water is cold, but the scenery makes up for it. Strong waves make it a favourite for bodyboarders and experienced surfers, with seasonal lifeguards keeping watch.

5. Bikini Beach, Gordon’s Bay, Cape Town

This small, protected beach often delivers some of the warmest summer water in the region. Bikini Beach faces west into False Bay, giving it calmer surf and a more intimate atmosphere than Cape Town’s larger beaches. It’s a reliable choice for wind-free afternoons.

Why Blue Flag matters

Blue Flag status is given to beaches that meet strict standards for cleanliness, safety, lifeguard presence, environmental education, and water quality, and this year, Cape Town was awarded eight flags! The program helps holidaymakers identify beaches that are monitored and well managed throughout the season.

Cape Town continues to rank among South Africa’s top coastal destinations, and these five Blue Flag beaches are easy proof. Whether you want waves, warm water, or a scenic sunset spot, each of these shores offers something worth the trip.