About Melkbosstrand Beach

Melkbosstrand Beach is more commonly known as Melkbosstrand an Afrikaans name, meaning Milkwoods Beach. Melkbosstrand is located on the shores of the West Coast town (or village) of Melkbos. It has a peaceful feel to it with a long flat, sandy beach of approximately 7-kilometres. It’s suitable for walking/running, swimming and a host of other water activities.

With the massive Development or expansion taking place on the Cape West Coast, the once quiet area of Melkbosstrand has become a very popular beach destination. It is used all year round by residents of the surrounding suburbs and by both local and international holiday makers.

Melkbosstrand Beach offers very protected swimming due to the little bay being protected by a rocky outcrop to the south known as Melkbos Point. Life Guards are on duty most of the time, with a Life Guard station and Cafe located mid-way along the beach front.

Public parking is available in 2 smallish lots, on either side of the NSRI Station with additional parking available on the roadside. A 3rd small parking bay is found further up Beach Road opposite “Slabbert se Klippe” (see below). Parking during busy times can be problematic, so be patient and don’t park in no-parking zones as the risk of traffic fines is high.

The waves are relatively small and this is one of the few places on the West Coast where it is easy to get through the surf safely. A slipway for launching ski-boats and other small craft is located on the northern edge of Melkbos Point.

Due to the safe swimming conditions, the clean, flat sandy beach and the expansive green lawns that Melkbos Beach (As it’s known by the English speaking) has to offer, it is exceptionally popular with families and water sports enthusiasts.

A rocky outcrop called ‘Slabbert se Klippe’, is where most of the fishermen hang out. The rocky outcrop separates Melkbos’ main beach from ‘Kapteinsbaai’ to the north, which then gives way to Van Riebeeck Strand. One can walk/run a distance of approximately 4 kilometres from Melkbos Point in the south to the border of the protected zone by the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station on Van Riebeeck Strand.

Additional Information

Historically, Melkbosstrand was originally known as Losperd’s Bay, which was home to a farm called De Melkbosch, which in tun was named after the Milkwood Trees which dominated the area in the 1800’s. The town of Melkbos is said to have originated from the “Damhuis”, the name of a farm out-building, which lay adjacent to a dam that no longer exists. In 1920’s the Damhuis building housed the local Fish Shop, Post Office and General Trading Store; this with a few holiday homes and 600 residential plots that were put up for sale, made up the tiny settlement of Melkboschstrand.

Today, this tiny settlement is now the bustling town of Melkbos. It’s still relatively small in comparison to neighbouring areas, but growing at an alarming rate. The stretch of road running parallel to the beach is now bursting with restaurants, bars and numerous accommodation venues all competing for some of the action. Over the weekend, restaurants in Melkbos are particularly busy and it is recommended to book in advance. The popularity of Melkbosstrand has seen property prices increase tremendously and it’s now one of the ‘hip places’ to live.

Dog Walking

While dogs are ‘usually welcome’ provided they are on leashes, the by-laws are forever changing and it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with them frequently. Don’t assume they are the same as last time; this is a beach where policing of these offences is frequent too.

– Look out for the signage indicating the applicable laws!

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