Visit These 10 Beaches Near Stellenbosch To Explore Beyond Its Vineyards And Hills

10 Jan 2019

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South Africa’s second oldest town is famous for its picturesque vineyards, oak-lined streets, houses, museums, and the university. Located on the banks of Eerste River and surrounded by the Jorshoenke Mountains, this university town, resplendent with old world charm, lies in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Apart from the many places to visit in here, there are a number of beaches near Stellenbosch where you can go on a day trip or even stay for a few days.

10 Charming Beaches Near Stellenbosch

Let’s have a look at some of the main beaches around Stellenbosch which are just perfect for a happy and fun-filled outing with friends and family.

Strand Beach
Pringle Bay Beach
Big Bay Beach
Bikini Beach
Rooi Els Beach
Camps Bay Beach
Llandudno Beach
Melkbos Beach
Muizenberg Beach
Clifton 4th Beach

1. Strand Beach

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A clean and beautiful sandy beach which stretches for about 5 km, Strand Beach is located in the town of Strand. The beach is an ideal getaway for the entire family where you can swim, sunbathe and indulge in a variety of water sports. The waves are very good for surfing and there is a surfing school on the beach itself where amateurs can learn as well. The beach also has one tidal pool for those who are apprehensive about going into the mellow surf and two rock pools which are a favorite among rock and surf anglers. The town of Strand has some very good restaurants and cafes where you can spend a relaxing time afterward.

Location: Strand
Distance from Stellenbosch: 21 km

Must Read: 10 Hidden Cape Town Beaches Every Adventure Junkie Must Visit To Dive, Surf, And Relax!

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2. Pringle Bay Beach

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A long and white stretch of sparkling white sand surrounded by mountains covered with fynbos and sand dunes, this is one of the beaches around Stellenbosch where you can have a peaceful and relaxing time. Watching the sunset over the stunning Table Mountains is a view that is going to be etched in your memories for a long time to come. Apart from enjoying the beach and the waters, you can also go hiking in the surrounding mountains and get rewarded by the natural beauty all around.

Location: Pringle Bay
Distance from Stellenbosch: 45.8 km

3. Big Bay Beach

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One of the best beaches near Stellenbosch, Big Bay is the bigger one among the two beaches of Bloubergstrand. The other one is called Small Bay and both are divided by a rocky point into two different beaches. The nice long wide and clean sandy stretch is just perfect for a walk along the shores. You can also enjoy a variety of activities and water sports here like windsurfing, surfing, kite surfing, kite flying among others. There are also quite a few competitions held here which draw a large number of enthusiasts from across the globe. An ideal place to have a chilled out day with family and friends, there are a number of beachfront eateries and cafes too. The sight of the Table Mountains turning golden from the setting sun is something not to be missed.

Location: Big Bay
Distance from Stellenbosch: 47.4 km

4. Bikini Beach

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Located in the quaint coastal town of Gordon Bay, Bikini Beach, on whale Coast, is one of the nicest beaches around Stellenbosch. The place gets its name from the number of bikini-clad university students who come here regularly for day outs. A family friendly beach, the warm and clear waters are just ideal for swimming. The beach has Holland Mountains covering it from one side and the harbor breakwater on the other. You get a clear distant view of the western part of the entire False Bay. The beach has a number of shacks where you get excellent food and drinks. It also has changing room facilities.

Location: Gordons Bay
Distance from Stellenbosch: 26 km

5. Rooi Els Beach

Rooi Els Beach beaches near stellenbosch

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A great holiday spot, this beach lies a little further 5 km from Pringle Bay near Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. This is one of the nice beaches near Stellenbosch where you can spend a peaceful day out swimming in the calm waters or just relaxing on the sands. The young kids can also enjoy a splash in the shallow water at the south end spot where Rooi Els River flows down into the bay. The secluded location of the beach makes it perfect for fishing and you can even try your hands at shellfishing with a proper permit.

Location: Cape Overberg
Distance from Stellenbosch: 41 km

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6. Camps Bay Beach

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One of the seven Blue Flag beaches in Cape Town, this is known for its wide sparkling sandy stretches, clean blue waters with a backdrop of beautifully lined palm trees. The beachfront has a number of upscale shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Camps Bay is one of the best beaches near Stellenbosch which is a favorite holiday destination with family as well as friends. The place is also quite popular amongst the Page Three crowd and you are very likely to find a known famous face here relaxing in the sun with the paparazzi lurking in the shadows behind them. The beach is also renowned for hosting various events like the Summer Festival and Volleyball Tournaments to name a few.

Location: Camps Bay
Distance from Stellenbosch: 56.5 km

7. Llandudno Beach

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This Cape Town beach offers a spectacular setting with a perfect combination of sun, sand and stunning scenic locales. A relatively less crowded place, it has a crescent shape and is located at the bottom of the straight curvy slopes of Twelve Apostles. Famous as one of the most romantic holiday spots among the locals as well as the tourists in South Africa, this beach is surrounded by large boulders which serve as an ideal place to take a stroll. This is a must-visit beach to have a day enjoying the soft sands, swimming in the cold waters, playing games in the afternoon, and soaking in the awesome sunset views in the evening.

Location: Llandudno
Distance from Stellenbosch: 67.1 km

8. Melkbos Beach

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At the start of the West Coast Cape lies Melkbos Beach which is known for its magnificent views of the Table Mountains and Robben Islands. The wide white sandy beach is perfect for walking and relaxing. The water is a little too cold for swimming but there is a myriad of activities here which you can enjoy like windsurfing, fishing, boating and kite surfing. The sunset views are truly worthwhile and something which is not to be missed.

Location: Melkbosstrand
Distance from Stellenbosch: 64.9 km

9. Muizenberg Beach

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One of the most famous surfing beaches in the West Cape area, Muizenberg beach is located at the Eastern curve point of the Cape Peninsula where it meets with the False Bay coast. The pure white sands and warm waters are very popular among the holidaymakers in the season time. There are a plethora of shops, cafes and restaurants on the beach where you can chill out after a fun-filled tryst with the waters. The colorful lined changing houses on the beach also serves as a great backdrop for clicking pictures. Apart from the beach, there are a number of other historical attractions in the colonial town of Muizenberg which are worth a visit.

Location: Muizenberg
Distance from Stellenbosch: 43.9 km

10. Clifton 4th Beach

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Located near the most affluent areas of the West Cape Coast, this is one of the four beaches of Clifton marked in numbers from 1 to 4. This is also the most popular among its other three counter beaches which are separated by massive sized boulders. Awarded with a Blue Flag Beach status, the beach boasts of a host of facilities like outdoor showers, on-duty lifeguards, sun decks and umbrellas for hire and many food and drinks kiosks. The water is lined with striking yachts of the famous and rich. This is a great beach for people watching, playing games on the beach, barbecues and surfing. The table Mountains and Twelve Apostles provide the most alluring backdrop to this place offering some of the best views. There are well known upscale bars, restaurants, cafes and shops located just a stroll away from the beach.

Location: Ridge Road, Clifton
Distance from Stellenbosch: 57.3 km

Best Time to Visit Stellenbosch

Although the weather is more or less warm throughout, the best time to visit Stellenbosch is in the Autumn months of February to April and early Summer season which starts from November.

Further Read: Cape Winelands: A Detailed Guide To The Place Rightly Known As The Pearl Of South Africa

The beaches near Stellenbosch offer some of the most wonderful settings for an amazing fun-filled day out amidst shining white sands and cool blue waters with plenty of activities to keep the whole family happily busy. Just get in touch with TravelTriangle today and we will help you plan the perfect holiday to South Africa without any hassles.