Pringle Bay beach

Pringle Bay Beach is on the opposite side of False Bay to Cape Point. There is a long white beach with a river flowing across it. There are also mountains to climb. Beware of baboons that come down to the water’s edge. Baboons also enjoy the beach! Swimming is good all year round. In the small village, there are a few restaurants but only one tarred road and no street lights. The dunes at the far end of the beach offer shelter from the wind. The water is clear and makes for great swimming, whilst at either end of the stretch of beach are rock pools.  Take the dirt road south of town to Cape Hangklip, where there is another beautiful bay with a lighthouse. Body-boarding, canoeing, kitesurfing and traditional surfing are all popular here.

You can fish directly from the rocks along the shoreline. Maasbaai is near the Hangkip Hotel; you can catch directly from the slipway here or launch fishing boats here. It is a good place for geelbek in the evening, kob during the summer, both from the shore and from a boat. Catch galjoen in season and occasionally poenskop. You can find crayfish in season. See the illustrated guide to sea fishing

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

This is a safe beach for families, and dogs are allowed but watch out for breeding oystercatchers. Pringle Bay is also a happy angler spot.

Surf report

Check the sea temperature here

Check the tides here

Best beaches in the Western Cape article