In this guide · 4 sections
Cape Town has one beach with a long-standing gay crowd, Clifton 3rd, and one remote beach with a gay history, Sandy Bay, where the rules changed in 2026. Both are public beaches on the cold Atlantic side of the peninsula.
Clifton 3rd Beach
Clifton 3rd Beach is one of four coves at Clifton, between Sea Point and Camps Bay, separated by granite boulders. Lonely Planet and Travel Gay both describe 3rd Beach as popular with Cape Town's gay crowd, though it's a public beach with plenty of other people too. You reach it by steep steps down from Victoria Road, and there are few facilities on the sand. The water is cold even in summer. Parking fills early on hot weekends, so arrive in the morning or take a car service. Alcohol is banned on Cape Town's beaches.
Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay Beach lies south of Llandudno inside Table Mountain National Park, and there's no road to it. The Llandudno residents' association describes a walk of about 1.5 km along the coast from the Llandudno car park. There are no facilities, so bring water and take your rubbish home.
For decades it was Cape Town's unofficial nudist beach, with a gay following. In March 2026, though, SANParks said it "is not, and has not been, formally designated as a naturist beach". By September, signs on the path warned of fines for nudity and sexual misconduct and said the area is under surveillance, including by drones. Wear swimwear, stay on the open sand, and go in daylight with friends. Muggings on the path have been reported.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is the long, busy beach below the Twelve Apostles, lined with restaurants and bars. It's good for people-watching and sundowners, but it isn't a gay beach, and the water is just as cold as at Clifton.
Safety
Leave nothing in the car, not even in the boot, because break-ins at beach car parks are common. Carry little, keep your phone out of sight, and leave before dark.