South Africa Beach Holidays

Let the cool seas of the Cape dissipate the summer heat or head to the Indian Ocean for year-round warmth.

Scroll for more

Overview

With their crashing breakers, the beaches of South Africa have a very different character to the languid coral-fringed lagoons of the tropical islands that you'll find further north in Africa. Here you'll find no palm-thatched sunshades and calm azure waters. And even surprisingly few beach 'resorts' in South Africa. Absent too are the souvenir and coconut-touting beach hawkers. But what you DO get is some unsurprisingly unspoilt stretches of sand and crashing waves.

South Africa Beach Holidays - Best time to visit?

The first thing to clear up is that most of South Africa is NOT a year-round beach holiday destination. The Cape, for example, has a distinct winter climate from May to August. Still great for leisurely beach walks. But not for slathering on the sun block. So if you want a classic beach holiday in August, then you'll need to head to northern beaches of KwaZulu Natal

So how do the locals enjoy the beach? And how and where can sun-starved westerners join in?

South Africa beach holidays - Garden Route

South Africa Beach Holidays in Summer - November to March

The long summer holiday season is Christmas when it is hot and sunny in South Africa. At this time, you'll have to vie with locals for the best places to stay, restaurant bookings and spots on the beach. But once the South Africans head back to work and school in early January, South Africa's beaches are surprisingly quiet.

But even in the height of summer, donā€™t expect the sea temperature in the Western Cape to be anything less than bracing. The cold Benguela current means that the Atlantic waters on the south & west coasts (around Cape Town and Hermanus) are always cold, typically from 14C to 19C. (Though global warming has led to warmer waters recently). The sea temperatures rise as you head east beyond Cape Agulhas (the 'starting' point for the Indian Ocean) so that on the Garden Route you can enjoy a reasonable 21-22C rising up to very pleasant 24-25C in KwaZulu Natal.

South Africa beach holidays - Wilderness beach

Beach Holidays in South Africa in Winter & Spring - June to Sept

If you are visiting South Africa in winter - which is the best time to enjoy a safari - then head north to the Indian Ocean coast of KwaZulu Natal or at least to the Wild Coast of Eastern Cape.

South Africa beach holidays - KwaZulu Natal

Where have all the South Africa beach resorts gone?

South Africa doesnā€™t really ā€˜doā€™ beach resorts. We don't really know why. Perhaps it's something to do with the value of the real estate on the beachfront? Or that there's so much to see on safari, and elsewhere, that very few international visitors come for a 'week on the beach'? The benefit is that the shoreline outside urban areas has not suffered over-development.

So if you want a resort, with all the bells and whistles, then look at Mauritius and Mozambique. However we do have a small selection of prime beach hotels and lodges mentioned below.

Couldnā€™t have been happierā€¦
"Cedarberg and specifically our specialist Peter, have been excellent. Really communicative and just very on the ball. From the planning and payment, all the way through to arriving back home. The t ..." - Mr Clark Hoy, UK
Thank you for arranging such an excellent trip!!
"I would like to thank you for arranging such an excellent trip to see the wildflowers in the Cape, and especially for selecting our guide. He was perfect in all respects. He knew where to take us, ..." - Mr Bell
Thank you Cedarberg for the flawless planning and logistics
"I hope you have enjoyed a good summer – we got back from Namibia last Thursday and I wanted to send you some feedback. In short, we had a fantastic time and the logistics of flights, car ..." - Jeffery Family
It was by far the best experience we have ever had!!
"We are (regrettably) back from our trip and I wanted to let you know that it was by far the best experience we have ever had. The itinerary you designed for us was simply outstanding. Our guide in ..." - Mrs Deb
I have been recommending you!
"Thank you so much Milandi! We had such a great time and experienced so much. I have been recommending you to some people as well. Everything is well organized and everyone was very pleasant. " - Mrs Claudia
 
Find me the best in for
Very good value
"Peter was very helpful and clearly paid attention to our thoughts and ideas ā€“ we really valued his recommendations " - Ms Winter, UK
As always an excellent itinerary
"Choices of lodges was perfect. Everything went extraordinarily smoothly. As always an excellent itinerary, great local agent/guide/driver and good trip notes. Good to hear from Milandi personally w ..." - Mr Tim Flesher, UK
Very helpful discussions
"Very helpful discussions beforehand to give us lots of options. The personalised website was really good. The pre-holiday booklet was really useful as well. " - Mrs Rachel O'Connell, UK
Hope to return for a third visit
"Helpful, patient, understanding. Did not meet anyone face to face but seemed friendly over the email. Although the trip was basically our design, it was good to work with Peter in deciding the actu ..." - Mr & Mrs Harrison, UK
Your prices better than the bigger companies
"Brian came home with your attractive brochure and we started looking at possibilities. We both thought Cedarberg would be too expensive for us but were pleasantly surprised to find your prices bett ..." - Dale Family, UK
 
staff image

Kate Bergh

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Kate, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH