First up we have the famous four – Clifton 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th beach. Clifton’s four secluded beaches are renowned for their privacy and protection from the South Easterly wind, as well as for the amount of babes that can be spotted on them on any given summer’s day!  The glamour of Clifton is infectious, as you laze about in the summer sun surrounded by beautiful people, while the yachts of Cape Town’s elite cruise by. There are few better places to be. Clifton’s GPS Coordinates are: (-33.94015569378974, 18.373947143554688)

For all the family’s staying in and around the CBD area, there’s Camps Bay. The long stretch of beach is lined with palm trees and top class restaurants and bars, with Table Mountain sitting in the backdrop. All of this makes the beach a tourist hotspot and gives it a similar glamour to that of Clifton, but with the convenience of having shops and restaurants close by. Camps Bay Beach’s GPS Coordinates: (-33.949554493309236, 18.376779556274414)

If you’re into big surf, perfectly formed waves and don’t mind braving frigid waters to enjoy them, then the picturesque Llandudno Beach is for you! Besides its fantastic surfing conditions, Llandudno has long been a popular beach for picnics. The humungous boulders that lie on either side of the beach provide shady areas to chill out under and escape from the scorching summer heat. However there no shops or restaurants nearby, so be sure to bring everything you need for the day with you. Llandudno Beach’s GPS Coordinates: (-34.00798887072419, 18.339357376098633)

Just a short walk away from Llandudno is South Africa’s only beach on which nudity is generally accepted – Sandy Bay! This beach is very popular amongst Cape Town’s gay community, and is ideal for the uninhibited few who would like nothing more than to just relax, soak up the sun and let it all hang out! Sandy Bay’s GPS Coordinates: (-34.01681103381635, 18.334035873413086)

The aptly named Longbeach is one of the Cape’s longest beaches with a total length of 8kms, and is very popular for dog walking as well as horse riding. To the Northern side of Longbeach lies Dungeons, which is a small isolated beach that offers some of the biggest surf in all of South Africa. And to the Southern most side of the beach is Kommetjie, which is the most popular out of the three beaches for both surfing and lazing around in general. Long Beach’s GPS Coordinates: (-34.1098858308367, 18.35188865661621)

Fish Hoek has to be the most popular family beach in the Cape, with tame tides, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, a playground, plenty parking, restaurants and the country’s top life saving club. There are also strips of grass alongside the beach for picnics, and rock pools and tidal pools that can be found on either side for those in search of a little more privacy. Fish Hoek Beach’s GPS Coordinates:(-34.13638880486205, 18.433942794799805)

For a more relaxed laidback vibe, pay a visit to Dangers Beach in St James. All sorts of people can be found on the small strip of beach, which has a tidal pool to one side and sports a great body surfing wave. The beach is also conveniently located next to St James’ train station, and has the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Danger Beach’s GPS Coordinates: (-34.12104225056924, 18.45651626586914)

The last beach yet to be mentioned is Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg. The beach is well named, as there isn’t a day that goes by without a surfer in its warm waters! The surf schools, surf shops and restaurants that line the beachfront, and the waterslides, putt-putt courses and public pools nearby have made it into one of the Cape’s most attractive family beaches for holiday-makers. Surfer’s Corner’s GPS Coordinates: (-34.10782492987083, 18.474884033203125)

Now that you’ve got your bearings all that’s left to do is grab a towel, lather up in the sunscreen and get beaching!

Surfing Lessons

Surf’s up dude! Try something a little different this holiday and learn how to surf. Muizenberg’s long waves and tame tides have made it into Cape Town’s most popular surf spot, and there are surf schools dotted all along the beachfront that’ll get you up on the board in no time! Wetsuits and boards are available for hire, so all you need to bring is yourself and a free spirit.

For more information on surfing lessons and board hire visit click here.

Mountain Biking along the Cape Point and Winelands Route

Break free from the tour busses and trash the travel brochures, as you’re about to witness some of the most beautiful areas in South Africa first hand. The Cape Point and Winelands mountain bike trail takes you on a full day scenic tour of these areas for a truly unforgettable experience. Make sure to bring lots of high-energy snacks and plenty water!

For more information on the Cape Point and Winelands mountain biking route click here.

Whale Watching

If you’ve visited Cape Town in the months of September, August, October or November you’ll have likely seen the whales, which make their annual trip to the False Bay area. What you probably haven’t seen are the whales up close! There are a number of whale safaris and tours in the False Bay area that offer you the chance to witness the giants of the sea from mere metres away!

For more information on boat whale watching click here.

Sunset Horse Riding

Here’s something for those who would like to relax and soak up the beauty of Cape Town in a somewhat alternative way. Go horse riding along Noordhoek beach and enjoy one of Cape Town’s most spectacular sunsets! You’ll witness an abundance of birdlife, as you make your way to the beach through fauna and flora rich wetlands.

For more information phone Imhoff Farm on 082 774 1191

Kite Surfing

During the late Summer months Cape Town is one of the windiest cities in world, which may not appeal to tourists in search of lazy days on the beach, but does offer a fantastic opportunity for those looking for a little adventure to experience the rush of kite-surfing! Sunrise Beach is located just off Muizenberg, and is a kite surfer’s Mecca. There are plenty of businesses in the area offering lessons in the sport to get you speeding through the surf!

For more information on kite-surfing lessons and equipment hire click here.

Shark Cage Diving

Attention all adrenaline junkies! Shark cage diving is without a doubt one of the most exhilarating experiences that the mother city has to offer, and runs between the months of October and March. While out at sea you can expect to see a host of other marine animals in their natural habitat, such as: dolphins, sunfish, whales and tuna.

For more information on shark cage diving click here.

Cape Point Sea Kayaking

Cape Point is one of the world’s most beautiful sea kayaking routes, and you don’t have to be a professional or even own a kayak to enjoy it! There are routes for the inexperienced and unfit, as well as for those energetic few who are seeking out something a little more challenging.

For more information on the various routes and sea kayaking tours click here.

Guided Hiking Trails

There are fantastic hiking trails all over the mountains and reserves in the False Bay area, many of which of which offer incredible views of the Peninsula! Guided hiking along these trails has become increasingly popular over the years as not only do you benefit from the increased safety of having a guide with you, but also gain an education on the history of the area, and the plants and animals that inhabit it.

For more information on guided hikes in the False Bay area click here.

Scuba Diving

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities for scuba diving in the world! You can dive shipwrecks and explore the sunken ships of old, experience the awesome and colourful coral reefs bursting with life, take a trip up to Partridge Point and swim with the Cape Fur seals and if you’re daring enough, take a swim with the sharks!

For more information on scuba diving in Cape Town click here.

Deep Sea Game Fishing

The False Bay coastline is home to a number of large game fish such as; yellow and long fin tuna, dorado, great white sharks, and southern yellowtail. Deep sea fishing expeditions last for around half a day, and make for an exhilarating experience as you wrestle with some of the biggest fish in the Indian Ocean!

For more information on deep sea game fishing in False Bay click here.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more activities, up-coming events and things to do in and around Cape Town this summer!

Beach Festival activities will include Sand Sculpting demo and competition, Volley Ball, Skateboarding, a ‘generations’ family surfing event, Capoeira movement, Laughter Yoga, music, Flamenco dancing, horse and cart rides, a recycled Heritage hat contest with spot prizes, jumping castle and face painting, cannon ball rolling and Petanque. You can also enjoy breakfast or lunch in one of the mushrooming number of restaurants in Muizenberg.

Beach Buddies, a co-operative safety initiative unique to Muizenberg Beach, will also be officially launched during the morning. Team members are trained in First Aid, Beach Safety and Radio Protocol [they carry a radio linked to a security control room in case of emergencies]. The Beach Buddies also report crime and give visitors local information, advice and assistance. You can support the team by donating money, using the Beach Buddies collection boxes located at the till points of beachfront businesses, or to individuals carrying collection boxes. Collection proceeds are shared equally amongst all team members so do
donate generously, to this informal employment initiative.

For more information contact Marion Wagner on 0814250685.

Local enthusiasts are encouraged to bring along their own kites or just enjoy watching the colourful aerial extravaganza. With kite-making, kite-flying, food stalls, kiddies’ rides, and a full line-up of entertainment, this is family entertainment at its best and is proudly hosted by Cape Mental Health in association with Heart 104.9FM.

Why not make a weekend of it and book yourself into a Whale Watchers Luxury Self-catering Apartment overlooking Muizenberg Beach [we are the official accommodation sponsors for the festival] and get a Free Gourmet Breakfast as part of our exclusive Kite Festival Special Offer.

The Boomerang Edu-Kite Schools’ Competition brings together children from 50 schools with special educational needs to decorate kites and take part in a mass fly. Organisers will also be looking for the best example of the Western Cape’s own traditional kite – the Swaeltjie or Swallow Kite – for the Heritage Kite Award.

Boomerang hosts a variety of activities for kids and for the young at heart, including: face painting, puppet and magic shows, balloon sculpting, interactive games, a dance competition, and big-screen TVs to view favourite Boomerang shows. It will also host some of your favourite Boomerang characters, including Scooby and Fred Flintstone.

“We invite people to share unity and friendship with people from all walks of life as we fill the sky with kites as a reminder that mental health is important for all people and that there is not a community, a country or a culture where people are not vulnerable to mental illness or mental disability,” says Ingrid Daniels, Director of Cape Mental Health.

The Cape Town International Kite Festival will be open from 10:00 to 18:00 each day and takes place on the lawns surrounding Zandvlei, Muizenberg. There is lots of parking and easy access by train (False Bay or Muizenberg stations). Entry is just R15 for adults and R5 for children.

All profits go directly to Cape Mental Health to support its free mental health services for people in resource-poor communities. For more information on the Cape Town International Kite Festival and Cape Mental Health visit www.capementalhealth.co.za or contact them on (021) 447 9040 / info@cmhs.co.za.

Muizenberg surf

Here are some interesting comments from local surfers about the Fish Hoek attack in Jan 2010, which relate to the erratic sirens being set-off at Muizenberg Beach when ocean conditions and visibility are poor:

Some peoples comments are so ignorant! especially joffers. if you knew what the weather is like today, you would see that there is 0 visibility in false bay. so how can u see camo sharks in onshore blownout conditions? the shark spotters were there. And the sea is a safe place to swim if you use your brain. sharks arnt mindless killers. they hunt when conditions are at at their advantage. like today, hence the warnings. its a massive tragedy but at the same time, swimming today probably wasnt the best idea.

Another comment:
I worked with Great White Sharks a few years ago in the Mossel Bay area. Unless one knows how to spot a shark in the water, and what to look for, they are almost impossible to see. When their is a slight breeze blowing which puts a chop on the water’s surface, even the best of shark spotters can’t spot them.I’ve personally seen Great Whites circling swimmers along these beaches, as close as 2 meters around them, without them or the lifeguards from the beach or in their patrol vessel noticing them. Fact is, that they are more often around swimmers than anyone could imagine. Which actually proves that they are not out to kill people. To spot a shark, the best advice would be to wear polarized sunglasses, which take the glare off the water, so to see ‘into’ the water. And obviously, they’re easier to notice from an elevated position. One doesn’t want to go this far really, but the best would be to stay relatively in swallow water – less than 1.5m in depth. And seeing that White Sharks are not known for taking risks, it’s better to be in a group in the water. Numbers seem to deter attacks from them.

Chugging along the spectacular False Bay coastline

The train consists of wooden bodied vintage coaches dating from 1922 to 1938. One of the coaches is a lounge car with a full cash bar service. The steam locomotive is a Class 24 steam loco built in 1949.

The train leaves Cape Town at 10h30 and travels between the famous Newlands rugby and cricket grounds to Muizenberg. Traveling on to False Bay where the view of the ocean is spectacular. The railway line skirts the rocks as it travels through the quaint village of Kalk Bay, then snakes through Fish Hoek and Glencairn, finally coming to an end in Simon’s Town with a view of the naval dockyard.

Passengers are free to go to the beach, grab a bite to eat or stroll through the town. The train returns along the same route back to Cape Town at 15h00.

Prices are R220 for Adults and R110 for Children 3 to 12. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL info@atlanticrail.co.za and 021 556 1012 (office hours) to book!

All aboard!!

Photograph compliments of Hilton Teper

The concrete walkway adjacent to water’s edge begins at Muizenberg railway station (a national monument) and ends at St James station. If you’re walking during the winter months, rough seas could splash the walkway, so wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to dash across sections.

You’ll pass the historic Bailey’s Cottage (built in 1909), which was the seaside getaway of Sir Abe Bailey, a prominent politician and mining magnate at the time. Watch out of the colourful postcard-perfect beach huts that the area is famous for. The walk passes St. James railway station and ends on a small white beach.

Return on the same path or stroll back via the main road where you can admire some of the local residences such as the St. James Hotel and the grand old Graceland, built during the First World War in the Spanish style.

The Muizenberg to St. James walk takes approximately 45 minutes and covers a distance of 3.4kms.

The natural world is being crushed by human activity, waste and exploitation. But there is a plan to save it – a global agreement to create, fund and enforce protected areas covering 20% of our lands and seas by 2020. And right now, 193 governments are meeting in Japan to address this crisis.

One of the last Blue Whales?

There are just 4 days left to this crucial meeting. Experts say that politicians are hesitant to adopt such an ambitious goal, but that a global public outcry could tip the balance, making leaders feel the eyes of the world upon them. Click to sign the urgent 20/20 petition, and forward this email widely – the message will be delivered directly to the meeting in Japan:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_end_of_whales/?vl

Ironically, 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity. By now, our governments were supposed to have “achieved a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss.” They have failed, consistently caving to industry when given a choice between narrow profit and protecting species. Our animals, plants, oceans, forests, soils, and rivers are choking under immense burdens from over-exploitation and other pressures.

Humans are the primary cause of this destruction. But we can turn it around — we’ve saved species from extinction before. The causes of biodiversity decline are vast, and stopping them is going to require a move away from empty piecemeal promises with no clarity on who will pay, to a bold plan with strict enforcement and serious funding. The 20/20 plan is precisely that: governments will be forced to execute strict programmes to ensure that 20% of our earth is protected by the 2020 deadline, and massively scale up funding.

It has to be now. All over the world the picture is beginning to look bleaker — there are only 3,200 tigers left in the wild, our oceans are running out of fish, and we’re losing unique food sources to large mono-plantations. Nature is resilient, but we have to give it a safe place to bounce back. That’s why this meeting is key — it’s a watershed moment to accelerate action based on clear commitments that protect nature’s capital.

If our governments feel overwhelming public pressure right now to be courageous, we can jolt them to commit to the 20/20 plan at this meeting. But it’s going to take every one of us to get that message to echo around the convention in Japan. Sign this urgent petition below, then forward it widely:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_end_of_whales/?vl

Already this year Avaaz, members have played a critical role in protecting elephants, defending the whale-hunting ban, and securing the world’s largest Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Islands. Our community has shown that we can set ambitious goals — and win. This campaign is the next stage in the essential battle to create the world that most of us everywhere want — where natural resources and species are valued, and our living planet is protected for future generations.

A pod of SRW's off Fish Hoek beach

Visit up to 18 beaches, play three world-class golf courses and see a wide variety of wildlife including whales, African penguins, seals, exotic birds, antelope and baboons among others. Don’t miss Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world.

Following the Cape Point Route will take you to many beautiful locations, such as Cape Point Nature Reserve, the seaside town of Scarborough and Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs and Slangkop Light, just for starters!

African penguins at Boulders Beach and the museums of Simon’s Town, are just a few of the attractions to see on this part of the Cape Point Route. Hourly boat trips for harbour tours, whale watching, Seal Island and Cape Point depart from the wharf here in Simon’s Town harbour.

Fish Hoek boasts one of the safest swimming beaches in South Africa, surrounded by beautiful rugged mountains and white sands. Cape Town’s most popular family beach, a real gem!

Intermingling arts, crafts and natural splendor is Kalk Bay, St. James and Muizenberg. Kalk Bay is one of the hippiest seaside villages found on the cape peninsula, offering a cosmopolitan experience of fine art, delicious gourmet cuisine and beautiful architecture. Adjoining St James is very quaint and laid back.

Muizenberg is a holidaymakers’ paradise, with a gently sloping beach, child friendly waves & warmer ocean, swimming pools, mini golf, water slides, jungle gyms, surf shops, restaurants, artesian bakery, coffee shops and great holiday accommodation < http://www.whalewatchers.co.za >

Hot tip: Explore behind the beachfront into York & Palmer Roads for bohemian style shops, bars, restaurants & boutiques.