About Maidens Cove Beach

Maidens Cove beach, braai and picnic area is a marine protected area that falls under the jurisdiction of the Table Mountain National Park. It is located on the Atlantic Seaboard between Glen Beach and Clifton 4th Beach. The main attraction for tourists being the scenic views of Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles Mountains and the spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean.

Not very visible from the road, Maiden’s Cove is accessed from Victoria Road indicated by a road sign that is easily missed. In most instances one should be on the lookout for the public parking space between Clifton 4th Beach and Glen Beach. From the parking area a tar road leads down to the gates of Maidens Cove. While there is parking within the Maidens Cove enclosure, it’s often full during peak-season, so come early and bring everything you need with you. Camps Bay is only 1Km away but traffic can be crazy and shops there are pricey.

Most tourists don’t actually get to see Maidens Cove and it’s beauty, as the Tour Busses generally stop at the upper level parking areas, to allow for photo opportunities and a brief history lesson about Maidens Cove and the 12 Apostle Mountain Ranges, without taking the tourists into Maidens Cove itself. Generally, it’s the Cape Town locals and holiday makers in the know, that get to enjoy what Maidens Cove has to offer…

Access to Maidens Cove is FREE of Charge but restricted between 08:00-1600 Daily

Maidens Cove Tidal Pools

The Maidens Cove Tidal Pools (Yes, there are two of them) are one of the biggest attractions, having been built into the natural rock formations which allows the seawater to flow in and out with the tides, ensuring the water within the pools is clean and recycled. The tidal pools offer safer swimming for those that find the open ocean too cold and rough. At high-tide one must be careful of the waves crashing over the tidal pool walls and the backwash that may occur.

Maidens Cove Beach

The Maidens Cove Beach is a small beach located towards the rear or lower part of Maidens Cove offering a more secluded and peaceful beach experience than the more popular Camps Bay Beach, Glen Beach or Clifton Beaches. The sand on this beach is a little more course (rougher) than that of the surrounding beaches, but it is also a little more protected from the wind as it is surrounded by giant granite boulders. Swimming here can be tricky or dangerous.

Maidens Cove Braai Area & Picnic Spots

As mentioned above, Maiden’s Cove has 2x tidal pools and a beach. It also has a vast lawn area suitable for picnics and ball sports, with numerous Braai Areas scattered around for public use. Concrete walkways meander throughout the entire property linking everything together, making wheelchair access to most areas feasible. You do need to bring your own braai-grid, charcoal/wood, fire-lighters etc. I’d also recommend bringing your own toilet paper 🙂

* The kiddies pool is currently out of commission, hence me not detailing this (June 2025)

Additional Information

Historically, Maidens Cove and Glen Beach were declared a National Monument in 1949 and then a Provincial Heritage Site in 1999. During the Apartheid era Maiden’s Cove was one of the few places where non-whites were permitted access to the beach/ocean, so it plays an important role our history.

What the future holds, is uncertain as there is continually talks of this area being developed due to the extreme value of this land. The fact that it is now a part of the Table Mountain National Park might be it’s saving grace, but who knows, especially in a country where corruption rules…

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