Quick Facts: Camps Bay
- Sandy palm fringed beach
- Swimming
- Restaurants
- Cocktail bars
- Theatre: The Theatre on the Bay
- The Bay Hotel ( 5 stars )
- The Place on the Bay ( 5 stars )
- Camps Bay Bed and Breakfasts / Guest Houses
Distance to Airport: 24 km
Distance to City: 6 km
Introducing Camps Bay
Camps Bay is in proximity to the Cape Town city centre. The biggest attraction in Camps Bay is the white sandy beach which is edged with tropical palm trees. Two favourite activities are sunbathing and enjoying cocktails while the sun sets. If visitors prefer greener pastures, there is a grass promenade where one can have a picnic and enjoy the sea. Swimming is in water temperatures of a chilly 10 - 14 degrees C in summer, and there' is often a strong backwash and lifeguards are on duty in season. Camps Bay has a sheltered natural tidal pool for bathers.
The strip along the beach is filled with roadside cafes, restaurants bars and hotels. Located between Bakoven and fashionable Clifton, Camps Bay Beach is the Blue Flag beauty among a string of famous Atlantic Seaboard beaches along this scenic stretch of coastline. Named after a sailor, Frederick von Kamptz, Camps Bay was originally a farm set against the "the twelve great buttresses of the back of Table Mountain", better known as the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
Today, the slopes overlooking this Cape Town beach are home to expensive multi-story penthouses, villas and designer apartments, only accessible via narrow roads, and all vying for the best sea views. During peak season, December - February, Victoria Road marine drive is jammed with holidaymakers in search of some sun. Parking is always at a premium, so come early or be prepared to walk. The famous Clifton Beach is close by to Camps Bay. Between Camps Bay and Llandudno lies Justin's Cave - a labyrinth of underwater caverns to dive.
If you are looking for surfing a little further on you'll find Llandudno, a surfers' paradise rimmed by some of South Africa's most expensive real estate.
Camps Bay also has a modern theatre - The Theatre on the Bay - it offers a good mix of local and international drama, musicals, comedy, cabaret, music and dance. It also houses the Act I Theatre Cafe where one can have dinner both before and after the show. At the theatre bar or in the Coffee Lounge a pre-show drink can be enjoyed. Dietrich's Bar in the main foyer is also open after each performance where one may be joined by the actors.