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Further Distractions Cape Town Beaches Cape Town boasts some of the most spectacular beaches in the world, and with a long summer and balmy winter days in between the rain, they are an irresistible attraction. When fine summer weather hits the Cape and hot sweaty days envelop the city, the beaches fill up after work from about 1600 until sunset as late as 2000. Beaches on the west side of the Peninsula (Atlantic) are several degrees colder than those on the east side (False Bay/Indian Ocean). Despite the crowds, Clifton's four beaches are an unmissable experience on a summer's day, and the perfect spot for a picnic. Much of Clifton's cachet comes from its sylvan setting, toned bodies, and the fact that, even when the worst southeasterly summer gales are blowing, there is always shelter. Sandy Bay is South Africa's only 'official' nudist beach. On a crowded day, the place is full of naked families having picnics under umbrellas. For surfing, Long Beach, in the hamlet of Kommetjie, has consistent, world-class waves. For remote idylls, all the beaches in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (Cape Point) section of the Cape Peninsula National Park are almost always empty and scenically spectacular. Boulders Beach (admission: R10) has a string of delightful coves that are always sheltered from the southeasterly winds and are the best beaches for spotting wildlife - it even has its own colony of African penguins. Consequently, visitors should get there early to stake a claim to a piece of sand. |
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