NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Muizenberg a beach-side suburb on False Bay, 15 miles (25 km) south of Cape Town
CITY POPULATION Around 3.5 million
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES Jan: 79°F (26°C); Apr: 72°F (22°C); Jul: 63°F (17°C); Oct: 70°F (21°C)
This once-popular and prestigious destination for Capetonians is experiencing a renaissance. The beach lies on the Indian Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula, so the waters are much warmer here than at the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean side.
The wide sweep of white sand and gentle surf is ideal for families as well as surfers. Watch for the dolphins that sometimes come in quite close to the shore, and the whales that pass during their migration season. At lunchtime, stroll up to the popular picnic area at the northern end of the beach, in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve
Practical Information
Getting There and Around The international airport is 14 miles (22 km) southeast of central Cape Town. Metro trains run from the Main Station to Muizenberg.
When to Go Summer (Nov–Mar) has the lowest rainfall and the warmest weather. But the best time for whale-watching is from mid-August to mid-October.