The False Bay coast of Cape Town is the one people go to for swimming and water sports. That’s where the beautiful beaches are. There are beaches on the Atlantic side, too, but the water is usually too cold. It flows straight up from the Antarctic, and only those hardy souls brave enough to endure a bone-chilling dip dare to go in. Nonetheless, the Atlantic coast of Cape Town has plenty to offer visitors.

Spectacular Scenery

The seascapes of Cape Town’s Atlantic coast are spectacular, particularly from the road. In fact, the coastal road here is considered to be one of the most dramatically scenic in the world. The sunsets are the kind that artists dream about. The sandy beaches are great for walks, picnics, and sunbathing. Look inland, and you will see the series of rocky buttresses known as the Twelve Apostles that descends from Table Mountain.

The New and the Old

The spectacular new Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Development (locals just call it the Waterfront) is on the Atlantic coast. This giant shopping centre is considered to be a good example of the right way to develop a declining dock area into a tourist hot spot. Go west from the Waterfront to Mouille Point, and you will see the squat, rectangular Victorian lighthouse that dates back to the 1820s. A little farther west is Green Point. This was once a sleazy area, but thanks to its proximity to the Waterfront, it is now know for excellent accommodations, good restaurants, and lively clubs.

Whale Watching and Clothing Optional

The Atlantic coast of Cape Town offers some great spots for whale watching. One of the best vantage points is Chapman’s Peak, towards Hout Bay. Also try watching from the place between Llandudno and Sea Point where the road curves. Sea Point has some of the best restaurants in Cape Town. From nearby Brach Road you can see Graaff’s Pool, an exclusively male clothing optional sunbathing spot. At the Sea Point Pavilion you can swim in an Olympic sized salt water pool. Take a stroll to Bantry Bay at the westernmost edge of Sea Point, and you can see the mansions of Cape Town’s rich set on the mountain slopes overlooking the Atlantic, seemingly under the guard of Lion’s Head.

Up and Down the Atlantic Coast

Clifton, one of the most fashionable parts of Cape Town, overlooks a cove and sits on some of the most expensive real estate in Africa. Steep stairways take you down to the beaches. There is safe swimming and great surfing, if you can take the cold water. Hout Bay was once a quaint fishing village, and is still the centre of the crayfish industry. Its natural beauty is defined by the twin heads of the Sentinel and Chapman’s Peak. Take the cruise out to Duiker Island to see the large seal colony. You can learn about the history of the area in the Hout Bay Museum. Give yourself at least three hours to go through the magnificent World of Birds, which is home to more than 3,000 birds and small animals. The walk-in monkey jungle is very popular with children. Chapman’s Peak Drive, east of Hout Bay, is a thrilling experience not to be missed. For ten kilometers you have bare mountainside on one side, and a long, steep drop to the ocean on the other. Marked viewing points are all along the route. Take advantage of them, so you have plenty of photo memories of your visit to Cape Town’s Atlantic coast.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town