South Africa: The Undiscovered Urban Beach Haven
Enjoy sandy stretches to their fullest from your villa nearby
By Heather Whipps

Oh, the jealousy we should harbor against the city of Cape Town, South Africa, blessed as one of the world’s few true urban centers with beaches framing its downtown core. Trouble is, it’s just too pretty to envy, with the dramatic Table Mountain backing the city as it slopes gently downwards through historic neighborhoods to soft sands below. It’s likely too that few of us, outside the most worldly of travelers, were aware of just how lucky its residents are: the greater Cape Town region alone boasts enough top-notch beaches to categorize them according to their attributes, like the best for sunbathing in the buff (Sandy Bay), penguin watching (Boulders), serious surfers (Noordhoek) and beginners (Muizenberg).

With that, we’ve tallied a short list of some of the best of the best, along with where to stay should you feel the need to sleep in between beach sessions:

Camps Bay
Camps is the quintessential something-for-everyone beach, a popular spot with families, surfers, scuba divers, residents, and visitors alike. Located on Table Mount’s western flank, the beach also has great views on every side. Just five minutes away – and sitting on its own sandy cove – is Bakoven Beach Cottage, a romantic two-bedroom villa with an open plan style. The interiors mix a bit of down home with a modern twist, with great views of the ocean from both suites. True to its name, Beach Villa No.2 is another great alternatively for the beach lover, this one poised right on the edge of Camps Bay. With five bedrooms, the property is great for big groups and has plenty to keep guests busy: outside, there is pool and deck area for enjoying the sun, while the indoor living area includes flat-screen Satellite TV, DVD, and stereo system.

Clifton
Clifton is the Miami Beach of Cape Town – the place for people watching and equally as glamorous. Yachts cruise the bay here while beautiful, mostly young bodies lounge or play games of beach volleyball. At night, the beach turns into a party venue and plays host to informal gatherings. Divided into four mini beaches by large granite boulders, it is Clifton’s fourth beach that offers visitors the most options for refreshment and activities. Villa Vereguth is a spectacular four-bedroom home overlooking Clifton beach from an elevated hillside. The villa features Tuscan-style architecture and luxurious finishings, from the classic art pieces to the full-size movie theatre room. A wine cellar is stocked with South Africa’s finest. A bit larger and just as upscale, Villa Davarra has one of the best views in Clifton. Guests also enjoy a location that is the perfect blend of the pristine and hedonistic, with a nature reserve on one side and Clifton’s fourth beach on the other.

Llandudno and the Best of the Rest
Llandudno is famous for its spectacular sunsets, with many beach lovers making the 20km trek from Cape Town proper for that fleeting flash of color alone. Not that the beach itself isn’t worthy: Llandudno is a great spot for surfers, who take advantage of the powerful waves on its north side, and sun worshippers of all kinds who can sprawl along its calmer south. Named for the event, Llandudno Sunsets is a five-bedroom villa with the best seat in the house. A large open plan, state-of-the-art kitchen and large outdoor patio space makes this home perfect for entertaining. All bedrooms, fittingly, face west. Head to Blouberg Bay to capture that classic photo of Table Mountain. This beach is on the opposite side of Table Bay from the city is great for both surfers and sunbathers. Long Beach is a rugged stretch of sand near Cape Point Nature Reserve, more suited for sunset strolls than wading due to a strong gust that often blows through here. Not to worry, though – the heavenly desertion and privacy of the place makes up for the wind in spades.

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TAN LINES ARE SO PASSÉ Sandy Bay is not officially a nude beach, but is passively accepted as the place where Cape Town goes topless. Coincidentally, it’s also one of the prettiest stretches of sand on offer, but a warning about the wind: get caught nude during one of Cape Town’s sporadic gusts and you’re in for an unplanned sand exfoliation.

For more information on these or other villa rentals in South Africa, please contact us:

Call 1-877-993-0100 or E-mail.