About Strandfontein Beach
Strandfontein Beach is located on the Cape Flats Coast on the northern tip of False Bay. It is a long sandy beach that offers safe swimming and numerous other water activities. Accessible via Strandfontein Road, off Baden Powell Drive.
Strandfontein Beach is a large beach comprising a long sandy shoreline and is home to the largest tidal pool in the Southern Hemisphere. The beach is relatively flat and backed by small rolling dunes, which often encroach on the nearby roadways and parking facilities encouraged by the infamous cape winds.
Other than the popular Tidal Pool, the Strandfontein Pavilion and Amphitheatre are also popular attractions and numerous events and activities are held here all year round. Kiosks and local beach vendors are also available providing beach goers with Snacks, Ice-Cream, Cold-drinks and Firewood or Charcoal.
Kiddies play areas with Jungle Gyms are available for those who prefer not to swim and there are a large number of picnic and braai (BBQ) areas for families and friends to enjoy.
Beach swimming is relatively safe and monitored by lifesavers (during busy periods), but it is best to swim in the tidal pool or to stay very close to shore.
Beach Features
- Lots of Parking
- Blue Flag Beach
- Horses and Dogs Permitted *
- Picnic, Braai & Play Park
- Lifeguards
- Massive Tidal pool
- Public Toilets
Beach Activities
- Water sports
- Picnics and Braaing (BBQ)
- Kiddies Jungle Gyms
- Lifesaving
- Safe Swimming
- Fishing (permits required)
* Be Aware: By-laws regarding Dogs/Horses on beaches change often, so check for any changes and for signage which may indicate what is or isn’t allowed. Horses are only allowed on the outskirts of Standfontein Beach, on the Sonwabe Beach side.
Additional Information
Strandfontein Beach was historically zoned as a ‘coloured only’ beach during the apartheid era and is mostly still frequented by this race due to the proximity of their previously enforced residential areas.
Fishing is also very popular along the Strandfontein Coastline with many local fisherman making their living as small-scale fishermen catching and selling species like Steenbras & Galjoen.
NSRI Station 16
Strandfontein Beach is home to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 16. This rescue base, like all other NSRI Stations is funded via Sponsorship and run by volunteers. Station 16 services the Cape Flats Coastline and False Bay in the event of a Sea Emergency. Volunteers are required for admin, clerical, general maintenance and rescue operations – Find out more!
Sharks: Seal Island is approximately 5.5Km offshore and this section of False Bay is home to the infamous Great White Shark, among other breeds of Shark. Seals being an abundant food source for the Sharks during the Seal breeding period between April and September, when Shark activity is at it’s highest.
The presence of sharks along this coastline is highlighted for your information only and not to deter you from frequenting the beaches in this vicinity where there hasn’t been a shark attack on a bather in years. Most shark activity takes place in the deeper water and the sharks are more interested in the Seals than you.
In fact shark attacks on humans occur very rarely with more shark attacks being recorded in the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal than along the Cape Coastline.
For more info see: sharkspotters.org.za
Source: https://www.capetown.gov.za/
