5 stunning Western Cape beach towns that aren’t overrun

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The Western Cape is packed with coastal gems, but most beach lovers flock to the usual suspects – Clifton, Camps Bay, Muizenberg – leaving a string of quieter, underrated towns just off the radar.

If you’re looking for salty air, soft sand, and space to breathe, here are five Western Cape beach towns that still fly under the tourist radar.

Just don’t tell too many people…

1. Paternoster

What to expect: Whitewashed cottages, wild coastline, and a sense of stillness.

Paternoster has charm without the hype. One of the oldest fishing villages on the Western Cape’s West Coast, it’s known for its dramatic beauty – endless stretches of white sand, rugged rock outcrops, and a deep-blue Atlantic that doesn’t pretend to be warm. It’s also a culinary hotspot, with restaurants like Wolfgat (one of the world’s best) tucked away in this humble setting. You won’t find clubs or traffic here. Just fresh crayfish, quiet nights, and the sound of waves.

Sunset in Paternoster. Image: canva

2. Kleinmond

What to expect: Coastal trails, calm beaches, and a UNESCO biosphere on your doorstep.

Kleinmond sits quietly along the Whale Coast, often overshadowed by Hermanus. But that’s what makes it ideal. The beach is clean and family-friendly, the lagoon is great for kayaking, and the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens are just up the road. It’s part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, so nature dominates – think baboons, fynbos, and coastal hikes without the foot traffic.

3. Arniston (Waenhuiskrans), Western Cape

What to expect: A working fishing village, surreal sea caves, and calm, blue waters.

Arniston blends postcard-pretty scenes with an authentic, working-town atmosphere. The main beach in this beach town is peaceful, the tidal pools are clear, and the Waenhuiskrans sea cave is a must-see if you time it right with the tides. The adjacent Kassiesbaai fishing village, with its lime-washed houses and quiet lanes, is like stepping back in time. No noise, no chaos – just sea, salt, and sky.

beach towns western cape — Pebbly beach in Arniston, Western Cape. Image: canva

4. Yzerfontein

What to expect: Endless beach walks, West Coast serenity, and wildflowers in season.

The Western Cape’s Yzerfontein is only about 90 minutes from Cape Town, but it feels like a world away. The 16 Mile Beach – one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in South Africa – is perfect for walkers, birders, and anyone needing a mental reset. It’s also a hotspot for kite surfing and seasonal whale watching, but the pace stays slow. Even during flower season, it never quite tips into “tourist trap” territory.

5. Nature’s Valley, Garden Route, Western Cape

What to expect: Forest meets sea, uncrowded shores, and a total digital detox.

Tucked deep within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, Nature’s Valley is more of a secret forest cove than a beach town. No big shops. No nightlife. Just hiking trails, crashing surf, and a beach that rarely sees more than a handful of people at a time. It’s the kind of place where your phone signal disappears and your stress goes with it.