Cape Town Tourist Attractions – Best Beaches

Given Cape Town’s seductive summer climate, visitors are often surprised by the near-freezing temperatures at the famous bathing beaches of Clifton and Llandudno, as well as nudist beach at Sandy Bay.

For those who enjoy swimming in the sea, Muizenberg and Fish Hoek are the warmer Indian Ocean coastline that provides the best spots. The secret is to choose a beach according to the wind direction – if there is a cloud-cloth on Table Mountain, it means southeaster is blowing and one should head straight for Clifton or Llandudno, but if there is a northwesterly sea fog brewing, then go for Muizenberg and environs.

Why the chilly Atlantic waters?

The reason for t eh Atlantic’s chilly waters is more complex than most people realize. It has a lot to do with the whims of the southeaster wind. When this wind pushes the warm surface water away from the western shore, the water is replaced from underneath. This phenomenon is called “upwelling”, bringing in the cold Antarctic water of the Benguela Current. Small wonder water temperate can be as low as 12 or even 10 degree Celsius after a strong wind blow. Ironically, it is in winter when the southeaster abates that the Atlantic beaches experience their warmest sea temperatures.