Garden Route Beaches

About Garden Route Beaches

Your Garden Route accommodation will likely be close to some of the gorgeous beaches that dot this stretch of the South African coastline. The Garden Route connects the two provinces of the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape; and its shores are sprinkled with inviting little towns. These towns and their settings are so scenic and offer so much to do that they continue to be some of the most popular tourist hotpots in the country.

Did you know? Once you've booked your Garden Route hotels or accommodation, explore the town and destination pages below for info on attractions, activities and things to do when you explore the popular Garden Route.

Plettenberg Bay is a surfers' paradise, and many of its beaches are favourites for their consistent swell and rides, some of which are ideal for beginners while others are best for surfers looking for a challenge. But, more than this, Plett's beaches are ideal for lazy days with the kids, inviting you to enjoy the sea-spray and sunshine.

Visit the seemingly-endless stretches of Lookout Beach, where there is a lagoon for the little ones to swim or for a peaceful stand-up paddle. The waves here are excellent for surfing and kiting, and there are restaurants and ablutions nearby. Robberg is also a gorgeous beach, where there are rocks to climb and rock pools to discover, and nothing but spectacular views to nourish your soul. Singing Kettle Beach in Keurboomsstrand, near Plett, is another really pretty, secluded beach.

Knysna is known for its massive estuary lagoon, and its banks are fabulous spots for a picnic and a dip in the shallow, tranquil waters. Bollard Bay Beach is a lagoon beach. However, because it's on the banks of a tidal estuary, the beach is only accessible at lower tides.

Just outside the town, there is Buffalo Bay beach (or Buffs), which is a stunning, vast beach that combines awesome surfing waves, excellent swimming, rock pools, sand dunes, and long sandy stretches. Body boarding, kite surfing, stand-up paddling and hydrofoiling are all very popular here. There are a shop, restaurant and well-tended ablutions at Buffs. The breath-taking Brenton Beach is impressive for its sheer dimensions and untouched beauty. This beach stretches all the way to Buffs.

From Knysna, the coastline is dotted with beaches like Myoli (excellent for kite-surfing, these waves and currents are a bit wilder and families should keep little ones in the shallow waters), Victoria Bay (a stunning surfing and fishing spot, with quaint cottages right on its doorstep), and Wilderness, where (endless white sands are lapped by the blue of the sea at the foot of some pretty mountains).

Mossel Bay is another firm favourite for tourists wanting a fantastic beach holiday with all of the conveniences of this coastal town. Santos Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status for its swimming conditions, facilities, educational contribution, and commitment to being eco-friendly. Eiland is a lovely swimming beach; while De Bakke and Pinnacle Point are also musts for visitors that want to soak up the sun and get some Vitamin Sea.

The Garden Route has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty, history, culture, wildlife, and friendly folk. Its beaches are testament to what a great South African destination this is.