Cape Town's beaches on both the Atlantic and False Bay sides are legendary. The beaches at Milnerton, Blouberg, and Long Beach (in Noordhoek) stretch endlessly, and you can walk for miles without seeing a fast-food outlet or drink stand. But you will see seagulls, dolphins, penguins, and whales (in season). Forget about swimming in the Atlantic, though; even a quick dip will freeze your toes. The "in" crowd flocks to Clifton, a must for sunbathers. If it's swimming you're into, head to the warmer waters of St. James, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, and Simon's Town, where the warm Benguela current sweeps along the False Bay side of the peninsula. The beaches are dotted with tidal pools, which make swimming even more comfortable and are safe for kids. Windsurfers congregate at Blouberg, where several competitions are held. At Boulders or Seaforth, you can sunbathe and snorkel in the coves and pools, sheltered by huge granite rocks. Cape Town's surfing community appreciates Muizenberg, Kommetjie, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay, and Blouberg. For kite-surfing, Strandfontein and Sunrise beaches are the places to try or to watch.

False Bay Beaches

Muizenberg. Once the fashionable resort of South African high society, this long, sandy beach has lost much of its glamour and now appeals to families and beginner surfers. A tacky pavilion houses a swimming pool, waterslides, toilets, changing rooms, and snack shops. The beach is lined with colorful bathing boxes of the type once popular at British resorts. Lifeguards are on duty, and the sea is shallow and reasonably safe. Off the M4, Muizenberg, South Africa.

Fish Hoek. With the southern corner protected from the southeaster by Elsies Peak, this sandy beach attracts retirees and families with young kids, who appreciate the calm, clear water -- it may be the safest bathing beach in the Cape. The middle and northern end of the beach are also popular with catamaran sailors and windsurfers, who often stage regattas offshore. Jager's Walk, a pathway that runs along the rocky coastline, begins at the beach's southern end. This is also a great beach for boogie boarding. Beach Rd., Fish Hoek, South Africa.

Atlantic Coast Beaches

Blouberg. Make the 25-km (16-mi) trip north from the city to the other side of Table Bay, and you'll be rewarded with an exceptional (and the most famous) view of Cape Town and Table Mountain. It's divided into two parts: Big Bay, which hosts surfing and windsurfing contests, and Little Bay, better suited to sunbathers and families. It's frequently windy here, which is fine if you want to fly a kite but a nuisance otherwise. (Buy a brightly colored high-tech number at the Kite Shop in Victoria Wharf at the V&A Waterfront and relive your childhood.) For safety, swim in front of the lifeguard club. The lawns of the Blue Peter Hotel are a favorite sunset cocktail spot, especially with tired windsurfers. N1 north to R27 to Milnerton and Bloubergstrand, Blouberg, Cape Town, South Africa.

Clifton. This is where the "in" crowd comes to see and be seen. Some of the Cape's most desirable houses cling to the slopes above the beach, and elegant yachts often anchor in the calm water beyond the breakers. Granite outcroppings divide the beach into four segments, unimaginatively known as First, Second, Third, and Fourth beaches. Fourth Beach is popular with families, whereas the others support a strong social and singles scene. Swimming is reasonably safe here, although the undertow is strong and the water, again, freezing. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends and in peak season. During holidays Clifton can be a madhouse, and your chances of finding parking at these times are nil. If you plan to visit the beaches in midsummer, consider renting a scooter or motorcycle instead of a car, taking a shuttle from your hotel, or going early in the morning, when the beautiful people are still sleeping off their champagne from the night before. Off Victoria Rd., Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa. Hout Bay bus from OK Bazaars on Adderley St.

Camps Bay. The spectacular western edge of Table Mountain, known as the Twelve Apostles, provides the backdrop for this long, sandy beach that slopes gently to the water from a grassy verge. Playing Frisbee or beach volleyball is very popular on this beach. The surf is powerful, but sunbathers can cool off in a tidal pool or under cool outdoor showers. The popular bars and restaurants of Camps Bay lie only yards away across Victoria Road. One drawback is the wind, which can blow hard here. Victoria Rd., Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. Hout Bay bus from OK Bazaars on Adderley St.

Llandudno. Die-hard fans return to this beach again and again, and who can blame them? Its setting, among giant boulders at the base of a mountain, is glorious, and sunsets here attract their own aficionados. The surf can be very powerful on the northern side of the beach (where you'll find all the surfers, of course), but the southern side is fine for a quick dip -- and in this water that's all you'll want. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends and in season. If you come by bus, brace yourself for a long walk down (and back up) the mountain from the bus stop on the M6. Parking is a nightmare, but most hotels run shuttles during summer. Llandudno exit off M6, Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa. Hout Bay bus from OK Bazaars on Adderley St.

Sandy Bay. Backed by wild dunes, Cape Town's unofficial nudist beach is also one of its prettiest. Sunbathers can hide among rocky coves or frolic on a long stretch of sandy beach. Shy nudists will appreciate its isolation, 20 minutes on foot from the nearest parking area in Llandudno. Wind, however, can be a problem: if you're caught in the buff when the southeaster starts to blow, you're in for a painful sandblasting. Sandy Bay is also popular with gay men. Getting here by bus means a very long walk going down and up the mountain, but parking, too, is very difficult. Llandudno exit off M6, Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa. Hout Bay bus from OK Bazaars on Adderley St.

Hout Bay. This beach appears to have it all: a knockout view of the mountains, gentle surf, and easy access to the restaurants and bars of Mariner's Wharf. Unfortunately, however, this is a working harbor; the beach can be polluted, and the water often has an oily film on the surface. Off the M6, Hout Bay, South Africa. Hout Bay bus from OK Bazaars on Adderley St.