About Haakgat Beach

Haakgat Beach (also known as Haakgat Point) is another of the smaller beaches on the Cape Town West Coast, situated between between Big Bay and Melkbosstrand. Haakgat is easily missed if you’re not looking out for it; but there are signposts on either side of Otto du Plessis Drive, pointing to the small sandy parking area.

Haakgat Beach offers an open and expansive beach setting with soft sand and rugged views up and down the coastline. Small sand dunes separate the beach from the parking area and a small wooded viewing deck has been built for those wanting to view the activities, without venturing onto the main part of the beach.

Haakgat Beach is relatively quiet on most occasions, but when weather conditions permit, it is very popular with the wind-powered sports enthusiasts; namely, the Windsurfing and Kite Boarding folk. Regular surfers do frequent this beach from time-to-time, but you are more than likely going to see Windsurfers, Kite Surfers or nobody on this otherwise rugged, yet tranquil beach.

Experienced Kite Surfers prefer Haakgat Point when it’s high tide which creates bigger swells. The sea can get very rough and choppy, so this isn’t a spot for novice Kite Boarders.

As mentioned above, the sea can get pretty rough with strong waves and currents, so swimming isn’t recommended either. Yes, go splash in the waves or hang out by the few rocks, but venturing into the waves, deeper than knee deep and it gets dangerous quickly. When the tide is out, there are occasionally some small rock-pools for the kids, but if rock-pools are your ‘thing’, neighbouring Kelpbaai Beach is a better option.

Like most of the beaches along this part of the West Coast, Fishing at Haakgat is trial and error. Some days/times are good and others not so much. The times I’ve personally been on this beach, I haven’t seen much fishing activity, but I don’t frequent Kaakgat that often.

I sometimes, come to this beach when it’s nice weather, not too windy and usually during the week when it’s very quiet. I come to walk/run along the coastline, splash around in the shallow waters, or maybe just lie down and get some sun for a bit. I only come to Haakgat Beach when I really need to get away from the busier beaches to unwind/relax.

Additional Information

Haakgat Beach is one of 6-beaches which fall within the Friends Of Blaauwberg Conservation Area (FoBCA). The FoBCA is a volunteer group that has taken responsibility for the upkeep and protection of this area and they really do a spectacular job with minimal funding. You can buy a membership to the FoBCA which helps fund the organisation, and at the same time you get FREE access to any paid events happening within the Conservation Area (eg. organised hikes/walks). You also get FREE Access to Eerstesteen Beach where you get secure parking and access to beachfront braai facilities. The 1-year Family Membership for 2x Adults & 2x Kids is only R150 – See details on their website: https://bca.org.za/membership.html

Note: Other than the viewing deck there are no other facilities at this beach, so it is advisable to bring whatever you need with you. Big Bay is roughly 5Km to the south, with Melkbos being even closer (approx. 2.4Km) in the opposite direction, if you need to stop and buy anything enroute.

Source: https://www.capetown.gov.za/