16 july 2026 | EXPERIENCE

Things to Do in Camps Bay: Beaches, Walks & Local Favourites

Discover the best things to do in Camps Bay, Cape Town - from beaches and hiking trails to water sports, arts, and dining. Your local guide from The Marly.

Key Takeaways

Camps Bay offers a full range of activities - from free beach days and scenic hikes to water sports, theatre, and rooftop sundowners.
The beachfront has three distinct beaches: Camps Bay Beach (family-friendly, Blue Flag), Glen Beach (surfers), and Bakhoven Beach (secluded, sunset views).
The Pipe Track is one of Cape Town's most accessible hikes, starting above Camps Bay at Kloof Nek - beginner-friendly with panoramic Atlantic views.
Water sports including stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, and beach volleyball are all available on or near the main beachfront.
The Marly is a five-star boutique hotel on the Camps Bay beachfront - an ideal base from which to explore every activity in this guide.

What to Do in Camps Bay: A Quick Overview

Camps Bay, Cape Town, packs an unusual amount of variety into a small stretch of coastline: a Blue Flag beach, some of Cape Town's most accessible hiking trails, water sports, a working theatre, and a restaurant and bar scene that runs from breakfast through to last rounds.

It's a walkable suburb, which means you can move between a morning hike, an afternoon swim, and an evening cocktail without ever needing to drive - and the range of Camps Bay activities suits everyone from families after a relaxed beach day to more active travellers looking to fill a full itinerary.

Beaches and Tidal Pools in Camps Bay

Camps Bay has three beaches and two tidal pools, and each has its own personality — some built for a swim, others better suited to a surf or a quiet sunset. Whether you're comparing Camps Bay beach Cape Town options or just want to know where the nearest Camps Bay tidal pool is, here's a practical breakdown of what each offers and who it suits best.

Camps Bay Beach

The main beach is the one most people picture: a long white sand arc with Blue Flag status, backed by a palm-lined promenade. There's no Camps Bay beach entrance fee — worth stating clearly, since it's one of the most common questions about visiting. A tidal pool at the southern end offers calm, enclosed water for safe family swimming, and sun lounger hire is available along the sand for those settling in for the day. Keep an eye on the strong southerly winds that can pick up in summer afternoons, and stick to the designated swimming areas.

Glen Beach

Glen Beach, Camps Bay's small, sheltered cove just north of the main beach, has a loyal local following. It's best known for its consistent beach break, which makes it a firm favourite with surfers, but it isn't a swimming beach — strong currents and submerged rocks rule out casual bathing. The cove falls within a heritage conservation area, and stays noticeably quieter than the main beach even during peak season.

Bakhoven Beach

South of Camps Bay Beach, the most secluded of the three, Bakoven is nestled among scattered granite boulders rather than open sand. It's free of the crowds that gather at the main beach, making it ideal for a quiet afternoon or a sunset spot away from the strip. It isn't a swimming beach, but it's an easy, short walk south from the main Camps Bay beachfront.

Camps Bay and Maiden's Cove Tidal Pools

For a calmer alternative to the open ocean, Camps Bay has two tidal pools within easy walking distance of each other. The Camps Bay Tidal Pool, a man-made saltwater pool at the southern end of the beach, is safe for all ages and popular for cold morning dips — seasonal Hot Huts (sauna sessions) run alongside it for those after the opposite experience. Maiden's Cove, between Glen Beach and Clifton 4th Beach, is more secluded: two pools set among granite boulders, with braai areas and exceptional views of the Twelve Apostles.

Glen beach at golden hour, with rounded pebbles in the foreground, palm-lined residential properties in the middle ground, and the cloud-draped Twelve Apostles glowing amber in the late afternoon sun.

Warm dusk light on the granite boulder shoreline looking across the bay toward Lion's Head, with turquoise water and the city of Cape Town spread across the hillside below.

Elevated view of the Camps Bay coastline on a clear day, showing the tidal pool and main beach below, rocky outcrops along the shore, and the Twelve Apostles stretching along the horizon.

Walks and Hikes Around Camps Bay

Camps Bay hiking is one of the area's best-kept secrets - it's as much a hiking base as it is a beach destination, with options ranging from a flat beachfront stroll to a full summit hike on Table Mountain. Whichever trail you choose, the same rules apply on the mountain routes: start early, tell someone your planned route, and carry water.The Beachfront Promenade WalkFor low-key Camps Bay outdoors time, the easiest and most popular walk is also the simplest — a flat, palm-lined promenade running along Victoria Road, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It's best walked in the early morning, before the beach and restaurant strip fill up for the day, and makes for an easy way to get your bearings on arrival.

The Pipe TrackThe Pipe Track, Camps Bay's most celebrated accessible hike, starts at Kloof Nek above the suburb and follows the route of a historic water pipeline built in 1887. It runs approximately 6km return, on a flat gradient that makes it genuinely beginner-friendly, with uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lion's Head, and the Twelve Apostles throughout. It's best tackled in the morning before the summer heat sets in, and more experienced walkers can extend the route on to Kasteelspoort for a longer day of Camps Bay hiking.

Kasteelspoort and Table Mountain TrailsFor hikers after a proper summit, Kasteelspoort and the Diagonal Path both offer direct access to Table Mountain's plateau from the Camps Bay side. Kasteelspoort runs approximately 3.5km one way and turns steep in sections, so it suits more experienced hikers. Both routes are especially green and floral in winter, and for an easier way down, the cable car offers a straightforward descent option rather than retracing your steps.

Aerial view of Camps Bay beach on a busy summer day, with turquoise water, a packed white sand beach lined with palm trees, and The Marly's rooftop pool visible in the foreground.

A hiker in a cap and blue top stands on a rocky ledge looking up toward Table Mountain, with a winding mountain road and lush green valley visible below under a vivid blue sky.

Dramatic bird's-eye view from the top of Table Mountain looking south along the Atlantic coastline, with hiking trails cutting through the fynbos, a small coastal town far below, and the vast ocean beyond.

Water Sports and Beach Activities

Camps Bay beach activities go well beyond swimming and sunbathing - the water sports scene here is one of the more overlooked things to do in Camps Bay, and a highlight among Camps Bay activities generally.Stand-Up Paddle boardingPaddle boarding is one of the more relaxed Camps Bay beach activities, best in the early morning, when the sea is at its calmest and the bay is at its most photogenic, with the Twelve Apostles as a backdrop. Board hire is available right on the beachfront, and flat conditions make it manageable for beginners - guided paddles are also available for first-timers who'd rather not go it alone.

Go early - mornings offer the calmest water
Book a guided session if it's your first time
Hire is available directly on the beachfront, no need to bring your own gear

Surfing at Glen BeachGlen Beach, Camps Bay's most consistent break, offers waves typically running between 2 and 6 feet and the best conditions at low to mid-tide. It's a local classic that draws surfers of every level, but the strong rips here are serious, and caution matters - this isn't a spot to underestimate. A wetsuit is strongly recommended given how cold the Atlantic runs, and gear hire and lessons are available nearby for those starting out.

Best at low to mid-tide
Wetsuit essential - the Atlantic is cold year-round
Respect the rips: this is not a beginner's swimming spot, even for confident surfers

Beach VolleyballBeach volleyball is one of the most social Camps Bay activities - informal games form on the main beach throughout the season, open to anyone who wants to join in, making it a good way for solo travellers or groups to fall in with the local beach scene without much effort.

Arts, Culture and Local Experiences in Camps Bay

Beyond the obvious Camps Bay sightseeing stops, the suburb has a creative, community-rooted side that most visitors never see past the beach towel. These Camps Bay experiences suit a slower afternoon or an evening activity, and they're often what separate a good trip from a great one - genuinely underrated things to do in Camps Bay. See more at The Marly's curated experiences.Theatre on the BayFounded by Pieter Toerien, Theatre on the Bay is a 264-seat venue hosting comedies, dramas, musicals, and dance — from established South African performers to emerging talent. Its location, just steps from the beach, makes for a uniquely charming Camps Bay experience that's easy to combine with dinner on the strip beforehand. It's worth checking the programme and booking ahead, particularly for popular shows.

The PotteryA casual, hands-on experience for a rainy day or a low-key afternoon: choose a piece from The Pottery's Wonki Ware bisque ware range, paint it yourself, and order from the menu - think wood-fired pizza, smoothies, and cocktails - while you work. The in-house team glazes and fires each piece afterwards, with collection typically ready in 7 to 10 days.Up CyclesUp Cycles hires out Dutch-style cruiser bikes along the beachfront - single-speed, upright, and built for a slow roll along the promenade or through the surrounding neighbourhood rather than serious cycling. Tandem bikes are available for pairs, along with kids' bikes and trailers for families, and no booking is required for the standard bikes. It's a simple, low-effort way to see the strip at your own pace.

Where to Eat and Drink in Camps Bay

Camps Bay restaurants are part of the experience in their own right - dining in Camps Bay runs from breakfast through to the evening sundowner ritual, and working a good meal into your day is one of the simplest things to do in Camps Bay. For a quick reference: Surfshack is the pick for a casual lunch straight off the beach, Zenzero covers beachfront dining with a live-fire menu, and Chinchilla Rooftop is where to head for sundowners. For the full picture of where to eat in the area, see The Marly's dining guide or the complete Camps Bay food guide.

Surfshack restaurant's bright open interior with woven rattan pendant lights, fringed branded umbrellas, and a mix of upholstered and rattan chairs, with the beach and breaking waves visible through the open-sided structure.

Chinchilla's open-sided terrace at golden hour, with cushioned wicker lounge seating, lush potted greenery, green drape curtains, and a direct view over Camps Bay beach, palm trees, and the Atlantic.

Zenzero restaurant's street-facing exterior at dusk, with sage-green umbrellas, white-clothed tables, bar-height stools, terracotta herb planters, and the Zenzero sign above the entrance.

Camps Bay After Dark

Camps Bay nightlife is an underrated part of the experience: as the sun drops, Victoria Road shifts gears from a relaxed lunch strip into one of Cape Town's liveliest evening scenes. Rooftop bars along the strip fill up for sundowner hour, offering some of the best sunset views in the city, before the energy shifts into a full evening out. Dizzy's Bar is a local fixture after dark, running karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays, hosting regular quiz nights, and screening major sporting events across three big screens. Beach bar culture keeps things casual too - plenty of spots to grab a drink within a short walk of the sand. In summer, the strip stays lively well into the night - one of the more overlooked Camps Bay activities after dark; in quieter months, the pace eases but doesn't disappear entirely.

Where to Stay in Camps Bay

Among luxury hotels in Camps Bay, The Marly is the base that puts you within walking distance of everything in this guide, sitting directly on the Camps Bay beachfront strip. It's a boutique hotel in the truest sense - just 38 sea-facing rooms and suites, an on-site spa, and its own restaurant - close enough to the beach, the trails, and the strip that you won't need to think twice about how to get to any of it. Round off a day of hiking or beach activities with a treatment at The Marly Spa.

Bright hotel room sitting area with a white sofa, Eames lounge chair, and marble side table, with sheer curtains framing an open glass door leading to a timber deck balcony with beach and ocean views beyond.

The entrance to The Marly Spa, with a neon spa sign above the open glass door, a branded welcome mat on travertine flooring, and 'The Marly Boutique Hotel & Spa' lettering mounted on a marble feature wall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Camps Bay

What are the best things to do in Camps Bay?

The top activities span several categories: time on the beach and at the tidal pools, hiking the Pipe Track, water sports like paddle boarding and surfing, an evening at Theatre on the Bay, a creative session at The Pottery, and the restaurant and bar scene along Victoria Road. Most of it is free or low-cost, and the area is compact enough to combine several activities in a single day.

Is Camps Bay good for hiking?

Yes - and it's often overlooked as a hiking base. The Pipe Track is one of Cape Town's most accessible trails, starting at Kloof Nek directly above Camps Bay. For more experienced hikers, Kasteelspoort and the Diagonal Path offer Table Mountain summit access from the Camps Bay side.

Can you swim at Camps Bay Beach?

Yes, Camps Bay Beach is a Blue Flag beach and free to access. Swim within the designated areas — the Atlantic is cold (typically 12–16°C) and currents can be strong outside the flagged zones. The tidal pool at the southern end of the beach is a safer, enclosed option for families and children.

What is there to do in Camps Bay at night?

Victoria Road transforms into a lively evening strip. Sundowner bars along the beachfront are popular from around 5pm. Dizzy's Bar runs karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays and screens major sports events. Theatre on the Bay has evening performances year-round. In summer, the strip stays active until late.

What water sports are available in Camps Bay?

Stand-up paddle boarding (board hire available on the beachfront), surfing at Glen Beach, and beach volleyball on the main beach are all available. Kayak hire is also available seasonally near Clifton 4th Beach, a short walk from Camps Bay.

How long should I spend in Camps Bay?

A full day gives you enough time to cover the beach, a walk, and dinner on the strip. To do justice to the hiking trails, water sports, and evening scene, plan at least two to three days — or use Camps Bay as your base for a longer Cape Town stay.

Is Camps Bay worth visiting in winter?

Yes - the hiking trails are at their best in winter (cooler, green, and uncrowded), the restaurant scene is more accessible without summer queues, and the whale watching season along the Atlantic Seaboard runs from June to November. The beach is less active but still scenic.

Plan Your Camps Bay Visit with The Marly

Camps Bay, Cape Town, is far more than a beach stop — it's a destination that rewards a proper itinerary, whether that's a morning on the Pipe Track, an afternoon in the water, or an evening at the theatre followed by cocktails on a rooftop, all among the best things to do in Camps Bay. Base yourself at one of the standout luxury hotels in Camps Bay, The Marly, and every activity in this guide is within easy reach of your room.Explore more: