Scarborough Beach
Wild, undeveloped Atlantic shore at the Peninsula's edge
About
Scarborough Beach sits at the far southern end of the Cape Peninsula, where the Atlantic meets fynbos-covered dunes and the nearest coffee shop is a short drive away. The white sand stretches for a generous run of coastline, backed by indigenous vegetation rather than beach bars or souvenir stalls — there's no commercial development here, and that's the whole point. The water runs turquoise but cold, and a powerful shore break pounds the sand year-round. The bohemian village atmosphere of the surrounding community gives the place a quiet, unhurried character that feels genuinely removed from Cape Town's busier shores. It's the kind of beach you drive to on purpose, not one you stumble across.
How to get there
From Cape Town CBD, take Ou Kaapse Weg (M64) and continue via Red Hill Road — allow around 55 minutes each way. There's no public transport link worth relying on, so a car is essentially your only practical option. Free parking is available at the beach access point, so you won't need to budget for that. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is approximately 33 km away for those arriving by air.
Who it's for
For couples
Scarborough suits couples who want solitude over spectacle — a long walk on white sand with fynbos at your back and almost no one else around is a genuinely rare thing this close to Cape Town. Come in the shoulder months of November or March for warmth without the summer peak.
For families
Scarborough is not suitable for families with young children or non-swimmers. The strong shore break and absence of lifeguards make the water genuinely dangerous, and there are no facilities to fall back on if something goes wrong. Families are better served by a calmer, supervised beach elsewhere on the Peninsula.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Let's be direct: you cannot safely swim at Scarborough, and there are no lifeguards if you try. That safety reality has to come first, and it shapes how you should plan your visit — this is a beach for walking, watching, and breathing in one of the least developed stretches of coastline on the entire Cape Peninsula. What you get in return for the 55-minute drive from Cape Town is white sand, turquoise water, fynbos-backed dunes, and a near-total absence of commercial noise. The bohemian village character of the surrounding community adds something intangible — it feels like a place that has quietly resisted the usual coastal development pressures. Come between December and March for the best weather, leave the winter months alone entirely, and bring everything you need because the facilities are minimal. Worth the detour for the right traveller — just not one looking for a swim.
What to do
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, about 8 km away, is the headline attraction in this corner of the Peninsula — a SANParks reserve with the Cape Point lighthouse, fynbos landscapes, and wildlife that rewards a half-day visit. Closer in, Imhoff Farm at around 6.6 km offers an artisan market, camel rides, and a relaxed cultural stop. If you're willing to drive a little further, the African penguin colony at Boulders (7.2 km) and whale watching opportunities at 7.6 km round out a full day on the southern Peninsula.
The fynbos dunes framing the white sand make for a uniquely South African composition that you won't replicate at busier Cape Town beaches — shoot wide to get the vegetation and the turquoise water in the same frame.
The southern end of the beach, looking back toward the dune line with the Cape Peninsula ridgeline behind, gives you depth and scale. Golden-hour light from the west hits the sand directly, making late afternoon the most photogenic window.
Where to eat
Camel Rock Restaurant, Whole Earth Cafe, and Foragers Deli are all within 0.4 km of the beach and cover everything from a sit-down meal to a quick coffee. Cape Farmhouse Beer Garden is a pleasant stop about 3.3 km away if you want something more relaxed after a beach walk. The Lord Nelson, roughly 5.3 km out, extends your options further if you're making a day of it.
Where to stay
The closest accommodation clusters around Simon's Town, starting with the British Hotel at 5.5 km and the Quayside Hotel at 5.6 km — both within easy driving distance of the beach. Further options include Magellans Passage (6.9 km), Makapa Lodge (7 km), and Boulders Beach Lodge at 7.5 km, which puts you near the penguin colony as a bonus.
Photography
Shoot in the early morning when the light is low and the white sand picks up a warm glow against the turquoise water — the fynbos dune backing gives you a foreground that most Cape Town beaches simply don't have. The view looking south toward the Cape Peninsula's end, with no buildings in frame, is the defining shot here.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards at Scarborough Beach — this is non-negotiable information, not a footnote. The shore break is strong and genuinely dangerous; do not enter the water regardless of how calm it looks on a given day, and keep children well clear of the wave zone. The Atlantic water is cold year-round, adding an extra hazard for anyone who misjudges conditions. Facilities are limited, so bring water, sunscreen, and anything else you need — and skip the winter months of June, July, and August when cold, rain, and strong winds make the beach inhospitable.
Map
Nearby places
Camel Rock Restaurant
Whole Earth Cafe
Foragers Deli
Cape Farmhouse Beer Garden
The Lord Nelson
British Hotel
Quayside Hotel
Magellans Passage
Makapa Lodge
Boulders Beach Lodge
Things to see around City of Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
SANParks reserve at the tip of the Cape Peninsula with Cape Point lighthouse, fynbos, and wildlife.
Imhoff Farm
Historic farm complex with artisan market, camel rides, and restaurants near Kommetjie.
Kommetjie Lighthouse
Historic lighthouse at Kommetjie with views over Long Beach and the Atlantic.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Nearest beaches
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — u07ch · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 2 — u07ch · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 3 — Darren Glanville from Acle, Norfolk, UK · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 4 — TravelingOtter · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 5 — TravelingOtter · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 6 — Darren Glanville from Acle, Norfolk, UK · source · CC BY-SA 2.0