Beaches – Colour Dots

Bailey’s Cottage Beach

carynkaleido — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 10:56:51 +0000

Bailey’s Cottage Beach is not much more than a patch of sand between two rocky points. Swimming here is not advisable, but the rock pools are worth exploring. The remote little beach is popular with fishermen who catch Steenbras and/or Galjoen among other species, depending on the season. It is, however, of historical interest. Just above the beach is Bailey’s Cottage. Known as Falangisina @ Bailey’s Cottage. This building was designed as a beach holiday hideaway for Sir Abe Bailey, the Diamond Tycoon and a good friend of Cecil John Rhodes. In 1909. It was also used as a lookout post and policing station, keeping an eye out for enemy ships and illegal trading over the years. . The stone bungalow is now a Guest House. There is parking available, and dogs are allowed if they are kept on a leash. Just above Bailey’s cottage is an open stretch of lawn called Battle of Muizenberg Fort, where the Dutch (who had ruled the Cape since 1652) made a stand against the invading British forces in 1795. The battle lasted a mere 30 minutes, but the Dutch lost their important replenishing station on the sea route to the East. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Parking: On the main road Lifeguards: ,No Surfing: Surf report Swimming: Not advised Fishing: Yes see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; No dogs allowed Ablutions: No Beach type: Rocky and small Picnic and braai: No braai facilities Check the tides here Fishing in the Western Cape article Best beaches in the Western Cape article Find our comprehensive Western Cape travel guide for things to see and do.

The post Bailey’s Cottage Beach appeared first on Colour Dots.

Bakoven Beach

carynkaleido — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:02:04 +0000

Bakoven Beach is the residence of the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) earliest terminal, NSRI Terminal 2, which was established in 1967. The large boulders at Bakoven Beach shelter the beach from the wild cape winds. This is a perfect beach for Sunbathers wanting to suntan in a relatively silent spot away from the crowds. It is family-friendly with calm waters and safe swimming conditions for children. There are public restroom facilities nearby for visitors to use, but there are no lifeguards on duty. Bakoven beach beach has an interesting dive site with corals and a 1698 shipwreck Along with the cottages and bungalows in the village above the beach, it has been claimed as a Heritage Site. The beach gets busy during the season and parking is limited. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Parking: Limited parking Lifeguards: No Swimming. Generally safe Fishing: Yes, it is a good spot for catching Galjoen, and Hottentot illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; No Ablutions: Yes Beach type: secluded with strong currents and a rocky shoreline Check the tides here Best beaches in the Western Cape article Find our comprehensive Western Cape travel guide for things to see and do Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape. Learn more about the project HERE

The post Bakoven Beach appeared first on Colour Dots.

Bali Beach

carynkaleido — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 14:08:07 +0000

Bali Beach is hidden between Camps Bay and Bakoven. Huge boulders protect the bay. It is safe for children to swim and climb. The beach mainly consists of shells (not sand). There are glorious sea and mountain views and a crystal clear rock pool. Identify the shells you find on this beach. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Parking: Limited parking Lifeguards: No Swimming: Generally safe Fishing: Yes, restricted to the rocky outcrops. See the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; No Ablutions: Beach type: Secluded with shelly grit surface Check the tides here Check the sea temperature here opposite 111 Victoria Road Bakoven Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Bali Beach appeared first on Colour Dots.

Beach at De Kelders

carynkaleido — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:58:29 +0000

De Kelders Beach is a cove under the clifftop that overlooks Walker Bay. The beach is sheltered and is a popular swimming spot for locals and holidaymakers. De Kelders is also a great diving spot for snorkelers and scuba divers. It is also very popular amongst local surfers. With the right conditions, waves break to the left and right and great barrels build up. The best swell direction is to the southeast. Surf reports for wind from the north will indicate the best surf. The beach is fairly deserted. Look out for the wreck of the HMS Birkenhead, which sank there in 1852. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide.. Parking: Yes Lifeguards: Yes, at certain spots Surfing: Surf report Swimming: Yes Fishing: Yes for galjoen, kabeljou (kob), and steenbras. illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; Yes, on a leash Ablutions: Yes Beach type: sheltered Whale watching in season; whales can be seen in season Check the tides: here Check the sea temperature here Other beaches in the Overberg Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Beach at De Kelders appeared first on Colour Dots.

Beta beach

carynkaleido — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 08:33:07 +0000

On the doorstep of the surrounding private houses is Beta Beach. It is a small, off-the-beaten-track beach with fabulous views of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles. Huge granite boulders on each side help to shelter it from the wind. There are no waves, making it ideal for sunbathing and swimming. The beach has an atmosphere that makes it feel largely undiscovered. There are a few little beaches to explore. Many visitors tend to head for the large boulders to sunbathe or to enjoy watching the sunset. You can walk across the rocks to the right of Beta Beach to find a smaller even more secluded beach. Parking: Parking is limited, but there are two MyCity bus stops (Bakoven and Barley Bay) Swimming: Yes Fishing: Yes see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; Yes off leash Ablutions: Yes Beach type: Check the tides here Check the sea temperature here Victoria Road, Bakoven Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Beta beach appeared first on Colour Dots.

Betty’s bay beach

carynkaleido — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 06:03:18 +0000

Betty’s Bay Beach is a lovely 4 km long beach, great for a long leisurely walk on the soft white sand. It is not overcrowded and consists of a few great beaches. Silver Sands and Hangklip dunes that lie to the west of Stony Point together form a long 4km beach with great kite surfing opportunities. Main Beach, Bettys Bay has Stony Point Nature Reserve with its resident colony of African penguins on one end and Harold Porter National Botanical Garden on the other. Extensive dunes lead to the water’s edge. Other parts of the beach, called Silver Sands, Jock’s Bay, and Shelly Beach, make up the long stretch of beautiful beach that is great for swimming, diving, and surfing. The beach is great for picnics, too. Fishing can be enjoyed at the end of the beach, at David Kraal’s picnic area, and dogs are allowed on leashes. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Parking: Yes, ample free parking Lifeguards: Yes, in season Surfing: surf report Swimming: Yes, but caution is required due to strong currents, rip tides, Fishing: Yes, see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; Yes Ablutions: Yes, with outside showers Whale watching in season: Yes Check the tides: Check the tides here Check the sea temperature here Best beaches in the Western Cape article Other beaches in the Overberg

The post Betty’s bay beach appeared first on Colour Dots.

Big Bay

carynkaleido — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 11:58:29 +0000

Big Bay Beach and Little Bay are the two beaches of Bloubergstrand. This is a “beach with a view” These two beaches are divided by a rocky point. The area is famous for great surfing, kite-surfing, and wind-surfing opportunities. Translated, it is called Blue Mountain Beach. It is one of the world’s most popular kitesurfing destinations. It’s also popular for traditional surfing, windsurfing, and other sports. The surf is relatively consistent, so it’s an ideal all-year-round surfing spot. This beach break offers fun for surfers of all skill levels. The wave at Big Bay is a short ride and best in a south or south-easterly wind, especially when it gets big. On smaller days, it’s also great for beginners. You can rent a board and a wetsuit at the mall on the beach. You can walk for miles along the white sand. Bloubergstrand is a favourite spot for flying kites when the wind blows (which is often) The beach offers a spectacular view of Table Mountain over the water and good views of Robben Island from the beach. Enjoy magnificent sunsets as the sun casts a warm light over the wet sand as it sinks behind Lion’s Head Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Big Bay is a great family beach because of the long sandy stretches. The water is quite cold. There is a good selection of restaurants close by Dogs are allowed before 9.00 am and after 6.00 pm between November and April FREE Beach Yoga & Cold Water Swim event. This event takes place on the grass in front of the restaurants at Eden on the Bay, Blouberg – Tuesdays at 9::00am. (Please note that we start at 9 am in the warmer months and switch to 09:30 in the winter months. Otto du Plessis Drive, Bloubergstrand Parking: Ample free parking Lifeguards: Yes, in peak season, the local Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club provides volunteer services. Surfing: surf report Swimming: With caution, the water is cold Fishing: Yes, see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; Yes, before 9.00 am and after 6.00 pm between November and April Ablutions: Yes, and outdoor showers Beach type: long and sandy Check the tides here Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Big Bay appeared first on Colour Dots.

Bikini Beach Gordon’s Bay

carynkaleido — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 13:20:54 +0000

Situated on the Whale Coast, the family-friendly Bikini Beach is one of Cape Town’s six Blue Flag Beaches. This indicates a high level of water quality, facilities, cleanliness, and safety. Lifeguards are on duty in season. Along the False Bay coastline, there are four Blue Flag Beaches, these are Mnandi Beach Muizenberg Beach, Standfontein Beach, and of course Bikini Beach at Gordon’s Bay right out on the eastern side of False Bay. Before the harbour was built, Bikini Beach was just a rocky outcrop. The harbour wall changed the flow of the current and resulted in sand being deposited forming the beach. Bikini Beach is great for swimming as the water is usually fairly warm, calm, and clear. Swimming is safe but the drop-off to deeper water happens pretty quickly which causes “dumper” waves and children need to be supervised. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide The beach is popular with Surfers who take advantage of the bigger waves or left-hand break along the harbour wall. The beach is named after the many bikini-clad Stellenbosch University students who are regulars. This intimate little beach has its own particular charm. Surrounded by the craggy Hottentot’s Holland mountain range on one side and the harbour breakwater on the other, Bikini Beach is a good option when the wind is pumping. From Bikini Beach, you have an endless view of False Bay, which curves in a huge arc from Gordon’s Bay right around to Cape Point at its westernmost extremity. The shops are not far away, and there are good changing room facilities. Also on the eastern shore of False Bay is Gordon’s Bay Beach and Strand Beach, which are both great family beaches. Parking: Limited parking Lifeguards: Yes Surfing: Surf report Swimming: Yes Fishing: Anglers regularly fish from the adjacent Gordon’s Bay harbour walls and the nearby rocky outcrops see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; No Ablutions: Yes Beach type: Blue Flag beach Whale watching in season: Yes Check the tides here Check the sea temperature here Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Bikini Beach Gordon’s Bay appeared first on Colour Dots.

Blaauwberg Beach

carynkaleido — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 10:13:54 +0000

Blaauwberg Beach seems almost endless. You can walk from the Milnerton Lagoon all along up to Melkbosstrand and even further north. On the weekends, you will meet plenty of beachgoers in all seasons, but the beach is wide, and it never feels crowded. This long, wide beach stretch has spectacular views of Table Mountain. The beach is not shielded from the wind, which consequently blows in for kite-surfers and windsurfers. There are rock pools filled with ocean rock creatures. Rare wind-free days may disappoint water sports enthusiasts, though. Dogs are allowed before 9.00 am and after 6.00 pm between November and April. There are designated braai areas along the beach. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Parking: Yes Lifeguards: No Surfing: Surf report Swimming: Very cold Better for watersports than swiming designated areas only Fishing: Yes, see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking: before 9.00 am and after 6.00 pm between November and April Ablutions: In some places along the long beach Beach type: long and sandy Check the tides here Best beaches in the Western Cape article OttoDu Plessis Drive Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Blaauwberg Beach appeared first on Colour Dots.

Bluewater Bay

carynkaleido — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:38:49 +0000

Bluewater Bay in Saldanha is a beautiful stretch of beach, great for swimming, fishing, and surfing. In peak season, the beach is patrolled by lifeguards, and children’s playgrounds and ablution facilities are available. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Lifeguards: Yes Surfing: Yes Swimming: Yes Fishing: Yes, see the illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; Yes Ablutions: Yes Beach type: Long and sandy Check the sea temperature here Best beaches in the Western Cape article

The post Bluewater Bay appeared first on Colour Dots.