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Melkbosstrand, the first town out of Cape Town on your way north along the coast, has a magnificent 7km stretch of beach that has become famous as a water-sports destination. Most visitors find, however, that Melkbosstrand is also a great base for day trips and adventures into Cape Town, the nearby Cape Winelands, and Western Cape province’s Atlantic coast.
Melkbosstrand (Afrikaans for ‘Milkwood Beach’) lies on the R27, the road that wiggles north from Cape Town up the West Coast. Although it has all the charm of a quiet country settlement, Melkbosstrand is very central to prime Western Cape spots like the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the Cape Winelands of the interior, and entertainment or shopping developments like Ratanga Junction and Century City.
When you look out across the beach and the bay beyond, you see the classic outline of Table Mountain in the distance – the most famous images of the mountain have been shot from here. In the foreground, you will see exactly why Melkbosstrand is so popular: along 7km of sparkling beach, there are all kinds of water-based activities on the go, like surfing, kite-surfing and jet-skiing.
Near Melkbosstrand stands Blaauwberg Hill (‘blaauwberg’ means ‘blue mountain’ – the colour of the hill as it appeared to sailors out at sea). History buffs will be interested to know that Melkbosstrand stands very close to the site of one of the pivotal – if short – colonial clashes of South Africa: the Battle of Blaauwberg, which took place in January 1806.
It was a fight between the seaborne British, firing their cannon at the sand dunes from their warships, and a motley collection of residents from the Dutch colony at the Cape – on horseback and sorely outnumbered. More than 9 000 British came ashore and faced off against 2 000 defenders led by the Dutch governor. After that, the Cape remained firmly under British control for over a century.
Today, Melkbosstrand is a more celebratory kind of place, with outdoor dining and dancing venues, chic cafés and a luxury hotel less than 300m from the beachfront. In the spring month of September, when migrating southern right whales pass by in numbers, the village is also a popular spot for whale-watching.
Did You Know?
TTravel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Die Melkbosskerm (booking essential; restaurant only opens for parties of 10 or more)
Tel: +27 (0)84 734 3563
Email: melkboss@iafrica.com
Atlantic Beach Hotel
Tel: + 27 (0)21 553 1800
Email: info@atlanticbeachhotel.co.za
How to get here
Just follow the R27 north out of Cape Town and look out for the Melkbosstrand signs; it’s about 30km from the Mother City.
Best time to visit
The late spring, summer and early autumn months are when Western Cape is generally warm, dry and gloriously beautiful: from October to March.
Around the area
There’s golf at Atlantic Beach, the Melkbos 4X4 trail, hiking in the Koeberg Nature Reserve and skydiving over Melkbosstrand.
Get around
Self-drive gives you the most freedom to explore.
Length of stay
Set aside two days to explore Melkbosstrand.
What to pack
Sturdy walking shoes or boots, hat, sunscreen, camera and binoculars.
Where to stay
There are a number of guest houses in Melkbosstrand, as well as the Atlantic Beach Hotel.
What to eat
They serve excellent seafood at Die Melkbosskerm – but be sure to book in advance, as the restaurant isn’t open daily; it operates by appointment only for parties of 10 or more.
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