At the Beach

Cape Town's beaches on both the Atlantic and False Bay sides are legendary. The beaches at Milnerton, Blouberg, and Long Beach (in Noordhoek) stretch endlessly, and you can walk for miles without seeing a fast-food outlet or drink stand. You'll see seagulls, dolphins, penguins, and whales (in season). Forget about swimming in the Atlantic, though; even a quick dip will freeze your toes. The "in" crowd flocks to Clifton, a must for sunbathers. If you must swim, head to the warmer waters from Muizenberg to Simon's Town, where the warm Benguela current sweeps along the False Bay side of the peninsula. The beaches are dotted with tidal pools, which are safe for kids and make swimming more comfortable. Windsurfers congregate at Blouberg, where several competitions are held. At Boulders or Seaforth you can sunbathe and snorkel in the coves and pools, sheltered by huge granite rocks, often with penguins. Cape Town's surfing community appreciates Muizenberg, Kommetjie, Fish Hoek, and Blouberg. For kite surfing, Strandfontein and Sunrise beaches are the places to try (or to watch). Don't be tempted to kite surf for the first time when the wind is pumping, however—it's far too dangerous.