St. James Beach

Kalk Bay, Cape Town, 7990, South Africa

There is a paved walkway that hugs the water and extends from Muizenburg Beach to Kalk Bay Harbour. Along the way, you pass St. James, which features a tiny little beach, a sheltered cove, and brightly-coloured changing rooms. While parking can be a challenge (there is only on-street parking available), the beach is often uncrowded and protected from the wind by its location. Plus, the shallow, natural ‘swimming pool’ (built via several rock walls) makes it great for families. These boys were walking along the rock pool perimeter, periodically jumping off into the shallows and chasing small fish, and each other, around in the warm water. Bring a picnic basket and plenty of sunscreen, and you’re ready for a great beach day minus the crowds.

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Enjoying Cape Town's Summer Sun and Southern Seas

There is a paved walkway that hugs the water and extends from Muizenburg Beach to Kalk Bay Harbour. Along the way, you pass St. James, which features a tiny little beach, a sheltered cove, and brightly-coloured changing rooms. While parking can be a challenge (there is only on-street parking available), the beach is often uncrowded and protected from the wind by its location. Plus, the shallow, natural ‘swimming pool’ (built via several rock walls) makes it great for families. These boys were walking along the rock pool perimeter, periodically jumping off into the shallows and chasing small fish, and each other, around in the warm water. Bring a picnic basket and plenty of sunscreen, and you’re ready for a great beach day minus the crowds.

Sunbathing at St. James Beach

St. James Beach is a sometimes quiet and sometimes crowded beach at the end of the Muizenberg/St. James catwalk along the False Bay shoreline. Long ago, Victorian families used these colorful bathing boxes. It’s also said the tidal pool was once a fishing trap. You can still enter the bathing boxes but you’ll have to arrive early because they’re quite popular with families in the summertime. Visit in the spring or fall and you’ll likely have the whole beach to yourself.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at notification@afar.com.

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