South Africa

[hannah40]

In 2022 I’m thinking of arranging a family holiday to South Africa.
Are the beaches nicer in Cape Town or Durban or another area of South Africa.
Thanks

[KARL]

I seem to remember signs warning of sharks having spoiled our ideas of going into the water at Durban. I have not been to Cape Province.

[KARL]

I should have said we enjoyed our tour of SA just before the end of white rule - very interesting both scenically and socially, gave us some insight into different things. We deliberately wanted to experience that as we had missed out on experiencing the Soviet Union and communist Eastern Europe.

[Playbill]

Both places have nice beaches, but sea at Cape Town is always very cold. We like Umhlanga which is just north of Durban. The sea there is the Indian Ocean and much warmer. They have shark nets for safety. Best time for either place is February.

[brainiac]

The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to the whole of South Africa:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa

[Zacs-Master]

There aren't any beaches in Cape Town itself. Just outside, yes (Green Bay being particularly notable). Lots to see and do around Cape TOwn (cableway up Table Mt / Open top bus tours / Botanic Gardens) You should be aware that when people say they've been to Caper Town, they usually restrict themselves to the Waterside area as the town itself can be a little intimidating at night.

[Zacs-Master]

Oh, and vinyard / wine tours in the Constantia area.

[zylaphone]

Cape Town is beautiful but it is on the Atlantic so the sea is cold. We go to SA every year, beautiful country. The Garden Route is a fantastic drive. We stay in Plettenberg Bay which is on the Indian Ocean.

[hannah40]

Ok thanks so the Indian Ocean side is warmer seas,
This is summer 2022 not next year. I’m well aware of rules of travelling at present.

[EdmundD]

Zylaphone - I stayed at Beacon Island in Plettenberg Bay in the 1980s. Beautiful.
I lived in Maseru for a couple of years and used my annual leaves to tour the Republic. That stay was a stop on the trip I did Maseru - Bloemfontein - Cape Town - Garden Route - Port Elizabeth - Maseru.

[zylaphone]

Fabulous EdmundD, Beacon Island has been refurbished, looks great now.

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/keurbooms-river-lagoon-at-plettenberg-bay-picture-id525362503?s=612x612