Noordhoek Beach

Noordhoek Beach, also known as Long Beach, is a wide, undeveloped stretch of white sand about 5 km long beneath Chapman's Peak in Noordhoek, on the Cape Peninsula's Atlantic coast in South Africa's Western Cape. The sand is soft and pale, backed by dunes and wetlands, and the Atlantic water is clear but cold at about 12-16 C year-round. There are few buildings, no lifeguards and no Blue Flag status, and the strong Atlantic swell, rip currents and large waves mean that swimming is not recommended. The beach is an open, exposed strip with a feeling of space, popular for long walks, horse riding, kite flying and sunset photography. The wreck of the Kakapo, a ship that ran aground in 1900, lies near the southern end and is a landmark for walkers. The atmosphere is quiet and rural: dog walkers, riders, runners and families, with few crowds even in summer. Access is by car or Uber or Bolt, about R500-R750 from the CBD, with entry from the car park at Long Beach or from the Noordhoek Farm Village, where cafes, toilets and horse riding operators are based. There is no public transport to the beach. The beach is isolated in places, and muggings have been reported on the dunes, so visitors should walk in groups, avoid carrying valuables and stay on the main sand. Noordhoek sits on the route between Hout Bay via Chapman's Peak Drive and Kommetjie, and it combines easily with a drive to Cape Point or lunch at the farm village.