Let’s not pretend we don't know what you love about South Africa.

Besides the attraction of wildlife safari, a big drawcard to visiting our beautiful country is the gorgeous beaches. We’ve seen you live on our South African golden sands during your holidays, and we don’t blame you. Of course remember to wear sunblock! The African sun burns. While Europe offers a turquoise Mediterranean, and Thai and Bahaman beaches are overpopulated by tourists looking for an ideal Island holiday, South Africa with a range of climates, offers perfect beaches for almost any kind of water-sport or romantic walks on the beach, or for the sun-starved, just sleeping in the sun is what you’re looking for.

Boasting two oceans, you are spoilt for choice. So much so that you might need help deciiding which beach to choose. Maybe we can help you. Here’s a list of top beaches in South Africa

1:Cape Town
A gorgeous city with almost too many beaches, you are definitely spoilt for choice here! A very popular spot is Clifton Beach, but with the variety at hand, don’t miss out on the nudist Sandy Beach, Kalk Bay, Boulders Beach, the warm waters of Muizenberg, pristine Noordhoek and the glamour baby Camps Bay are all ideal beach babes in one of the worlds most stunning cities. Cape Town has, it seems, everything including a sprinkling of the best beaches in the world.

2:Gaansbaai
Not exactly looking for the chilled day on the beach? Gaansbaai is shark-cage diving centre of South Africa. Ironically, Gaansbaai boasts a lazy stretch of white beach lulling your more quiet senses, another town with great food and wine.

3:Jeffreys Bay
Surf city of SA, this little place boasts the perfect wave. With a typical sand and aloe East Coast backdrop, Jeffreys Bay is popular for its annual Billabong Pro WCT surfing event. It is also a treat for seafood lovers, and adrenaline-junkies. An adventurous beach resort, makes Jeffreys Bay a premier beach destination in SA.
 
4:Grotto Beach
A typical sandy white Cape beach situated in a typical small Cape coastal town, Hermanus . Besides being an idyllic coastal town, it is also the whale watching capital of South Africa. Pristine white dunes with a dramatic mountain backdrop coupled with great food and wine and accessible beach facilities makes this one of SA’s top beaches.

5:Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth
In a country with a variety of landscape we are blessed with more than one climate, the textures and temperatures change as you travel along the coast. The tropical climate of KwaZulu Natal moves to a more temperate, with the state and textures of old SA creeping out. Humewood Beach is a typical Eastern Cape seascape with mild surf and wide expanses of sandy beach. PE is close to theAddo Elephant Park and the famed Cape Garden Route. Port Elizabeth is an historic South African city.

6:Mdumbe Beach/Wild Coast
The ‘Wild Coast’ conjures images of untouched beaches and getting back to real nature, and Mdumbe Beach epiotmises this. Surrounded by milkwoods, and plushe grassland, the Wild Coast is an unpolished gem in a highly developed area, and remains one of the most unspoilt and scenic regions of South Africa.

7:Margate/Ramsgate
On the south coast of KwaZulu Natal the boisterous sister beach of the more sophisticated Cape coastline it is surrounded by striking green backdrop of forests, rivers and hills. South Africa’s top resort destination, it is the ideal place for family entertainment. With just miles separating Margate and Ramsgate beaches, endless surf, sand and sun awaits you.

8:Willard Beach, Ballito
Surrounded by holiday resorts and tourist offices, this is a popular KwaZulu/Natal beach. The long stretch of Sandy beach is perfect for leisurely strolls, or just fun in the sun. It is not too populated with mild surf and warm waters, and you’re spoiled for entertainment including golf, micro-lite flights, scuba-diving and celebrated seafood restaurants.

9:Durban
What makes Durban unique as a coastal city is the unusual duality of African coastal metropolis and beach culture living side by side. The steamy, multi-cultured spice city of South Africa, it is also The port city of KwaZuku Natal. The waters are warm, the atmosphere lively and most are Blue Flag rated. The Durban beaches are great family beaches.

10:Cape Vidal
Part of the uniques Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, UNESCO International Heritage Site, it is on South Africa’s tropical coastline, and off the beaten track, it is located in the unatmed and gorgeous Maputaland .

Need to know:

For year round beach bumming try KwaZulu/Natal South Coast and Maputaland, though they can be very sticky and humid in Summer.
The waters of the Atlantic are much colder than the Indian Ocean. During Summer the temperatures in the region of 12C or 13C. The Indian Ocean on the east coast contrastingly reaches temperatures of 21C and 24C. Note that most beaches are filled to the brim between Christmas and New Year, so book your spot early or avoid during this period!