My fiancé is absolutely obsessed with the beach. If it were up to him, we’d live on a shoreline of white sand and clear, turquoise water — much to the concern of our mothers. I, on the other hand, burn easily and prefer Portland’s cool, cloudy weather, so the contrast made for a funny pairing. My recent sunburn proved I’m not exactly built for tropical climates, but I was happy to go along for the adventure.
One of his first priorities after we arrived in Cape Town was to find a beach, so we headed to Muizenberg. Known for its surf and vibrant beach culture, Muizenberg attracts swimmers, surfers, and visitors looking for salty air and open sky. We picked a morning that wasn’t peak time, so the beach felt lively without being overwhelmed by crowds.
One notable thing about the area: sharks. Yes, real sharks. While life guards and lookout posts monitor the water, I wasn’t comfortable wading in beyond my ankles. The thought of bigger waves and what might lurk beyond them kept me close to shore, while my fiancé happily eyed the surf.
One of Muizenberg’s most charming features is the row of colorful wooden changing huts that line the beach. They make for vivid photos and add a nostalgic, postcard-ready touch to the shoreline. My camera couldn’t resist stopping for a few shots of the cheerful cabins.
The area is easy to access and, lucky for us, offered free parking within a short ten-minute drive from where we were staying. It was a perfect, relaxing morning—enough sun, fresh breeze, and coastal color to make it memorable. I can definitely see us returning on many future Saturdays to soak up the surf culture and those scenic views.