Clifton Beaches
Clifton Beaches
4.5
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- MendigoTaubate, SP535 contributions4 beaches, 1 paradise!Clifton, the most expensive neighborhood with spectacular houses, has 4 well-known beaches, all accessible through a few steps. During the season, parking can become a problem. A lot of people for a few vacancies. Therefore, it is more worth going by Taxi or Uber. The water is very cold, with the temperature not exceeding 15 degrees Celsius. Swimming is for the brave. Pay attention to the type of interest on each of the 4 beaches: Beach 1: families and dogs, quieter. Beach 2: Young, more busy. Beach 3: gay, more fun. Beach 4: more tourist and yet always very clean But this division is far from apartheid. It's just a matter of common interests. You can go anywhere you want, without the slightest problem.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 July 2024
- pat37 contributionsA pure white beach surrounded by sparkling deep blue sea and mountainsClifton 4 is a great spot for watching people at play. From the cold water dippers to the long distance swimmers, the canoeists, and even the lifeguards doing push-ups, not to mention the beautiful people working on their tans, it’s most entertaining. The soft wide beach is comfortable and not too crowded. You can hire loungers and umbrellas, and cool drinks and ice creams are available - they come to you! The other beaches are smaller and quieter, which is also great.Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 10 December 2024
- Sue4680Cape Town, South Africa161 contributionsSunshine,icy water and just sheer beautyA gorgeous beach,picturesque views,snacks and cooldrinks available,icy refreshing water to swim in and a lovely atmosphere. One feels safe and not having to constantly watch your belongings. If you looking for peace and 100% tranquility rather set up at the far from the kiosk as the vendors shout across the area to each other and constantly promote their goods. An easy fix is plugging into earphones. All in all a gorgeous setting.Visited January 2025Travelled with friendsWritten 21 January 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1 901 reviews
Excellent
1 179
Very good
609
Average
86
Poor
21
Terrible
6
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands6 578 contributions
Nov 2021
Just over 6km southwest of Cape Town's city center, Clifton has fine beaches down below steep rocky slopes. Many wealthy people are living here in luxurious villas and apartment blocks that almost reach the ocean. As if the climate will never change and sea levels will never rise.
The sandy beaches can easily be reached by staircases at different points on the coastal road. Often these points double as MyCiTi bus stops of which there are four. Don't expect restaurants and noisy bars, there are just some vendors selling snacks and cool drinks. Surfers and peace and quiet seekers dominate the beaches.
Lovely!
The sandy beaches can easily be reached by staircases at different points on the coastal road. Often these points double as MyCiTi bus stops of which there are four. Don't expect restaurants and noisy bars, there are just some vendors selling snacks and cool drinks. Surfers and peace and quiet seekers dominate the beaches.
Lovely!
Written 19 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bondbint
Yealmpton, UK54 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Visited Clifton 4 beach yesterday. Took an Uber and the journey there was great too, Such a beautiful spot. Very busy and we were entertained for hours by the various life guard clubs that were holding a competition on the beach. Up in the sky the paragliders were having a ball too. Great fun. Public toilets were clean and well maintained. However I was shocked by the amount of rubbish on the beach - bottle tops, ice lolly sticks, random bits of plastic all over the place. It is beyond belief in this day and age, particularly where you are surrounded by some truly astonishing natural beauty. You’d think that would be reminder enough that we have a responsibility to leave as little trace as possible!
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola K
Johannesburg, South Africa132 contributions
Nov 2021
Parking takes forever when it's a beautiful day in season, but it's worth the wait and the walk. No access for those who have mobility restrictions, as all beach access is via many stairs. Umbrellas and loungers available for hire on the beaches, take cash with you. Saves carrying extra weight up and down the stairs.
Written 2 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
itchingfeet
Bath, England84 contributions
Feb 2020
An easy, cheap Uber ride from anywhere in Cape Town, the beach (4) is run by a group of local guys. They press a sunbed on you, okay, but it's a few pounds, and they run a smooth and unobtrusive operation for the rest of the day. Nowhere to eat, so it's the snack and soft drinks bar or nothing. But there are other beaches if you want more life. This one is for winding down and clearing the mind.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig L
61 contributions
Feb 2020
There are 4 beaches at Clifton, pretty much all the same but most people goto the 4th it seams. I always head to the 1st one as its closer to where I'm staying. The water is freezing for me, but other people swim in it. You can walk from 1st to 4th along the beach and lots watch the sunsets here. Lots of locals selling ice creams, water, beer along the beach and lots of people bring there dogs as you don't need to have them on a leash, but overall I love the beach here and I go pretty much every day I've been here.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mjfox1964
Bristol, UK157 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Have just spent a pleasant morning and afte on Clifton Beach 3, a shirt and inexpensive Uber ride from Cape Town. As we are both fit and agile, the lengthy climb down the windy stairs to the beach didn't bother us, but a less able bodied might struggle. On arrt we purchased a couple of sunbeds and an umbrella. Not too many rand, but if you want some beach comfort a necessity. Then we settled in for the day. The beach is small, flanked by boulders leading to beaches 2 and 4. The white sand had the consistancy of flour! Very soft under foot, but as the day wore on heating up a lot! Some beach hawkers selling beach tat approached but thankfully did not intrude. There are no cafes around, so you have to make use of the beach sellers here, but Coke Cola isn't too expensive from them. After the heat got too much, we headed south into Camps Bay for afternoon refreshments, only a short walk down the coast.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rogahn E
5 contributions
Sept 2020
I'd love to be here in summer when the beaches are at their hottest. The views here are magnificent. The only thing is that it is too cold now (snowing on Table Mountain only a couple of days ago). Otherwise a great place to spend the day sightseeing.
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Christophe... J
Shrewsbury, UK275 contributions
Jan 2020
All the beaches in this area are fantastic, however, Clifton have wonderful white sand beaches, which are not as well populated as nearby Camp Bay. The backdrop of Table Mountain and Lions Head is quite amazing. Next to the road, but so quiet! Lovely place at which to stop for relaxation. The sea is cold - be warned!
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dirmu G
Eversdal, South Africa3 023 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
Look out for the fire jamming evenings in the summer months. Come with your picnic before sunset, to make the most of the evening. Even though it was a windy day, Clifton's 2nd beach was windstill. Most enjoyable!
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maury C
London, UK78 contributions
Dec 2019
Pretty, busy beach. We went to the 4th Beach but we've heard 2nd and 3rd are better. We got chairs and a beach umbrella for very cheap. There are guys going around all the time with ice creams, snacks and drinks. The water itself was cold but quite nice and clean.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Today it was very windy in Campsbay but no wind at Clifton beach!
Written 7 November 2017
They do YES, and are generally well maintained too.
Written 19 August 2017
vilmargferraz
Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP
Qual a distancia Glenmore beach e cidade do cabo?
Written 6 December 2016
Its so far! 1503 km . Esta praia fica em outro distrito. acho que em Port Edward e Cape Towns está longe, mas nada que não dê pra vc ir por estrada ou fretar um mono motor e ir, desde que tenha tempo.
Written 6 December 2016
Hi,
How do most people get from the airport to the central cape? We are going there next week, oct 2016.
Written 2 October 2016
There are shuttles available to a from the airport if you book with a hotel which is included in your fee as well as taxis but tit is easier to rent a car for a few days as there are so many places to explore which is easier with you own transport. Enjoy!
Written 3 October 2016
Don´t know exactly, but sure less than 20 km
Written 5 July 2016
Hi, we're heading to Cape Town and was wondering about other options to get to Clifton Beach other than driving, if it's even possible. Any help would be appreciated. I tried to google this question but most websites only describe the beach itself.
Written 11 October 2015
We had a car, but you can also use Uber--there are cabs everywhere to take you where you want to go near the Central Cape.
Written 12 October 2015
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