Grotto Beach

When you step onto Grotto Beach, you can’t fail to be impressed by the vast expanse of sandy beach stretching out to the blue ocean. The beach seems to go on forever with the beach town of Hermanus to one end and a backdrop of mountains and wilderness the other. There is plenty of room on this beach to play games or throw down your towel but it you prefer something a little more active water sports of all sorts are popular here.

Grotto beach is one of the most family-friendly beaches on the coast and there is a park just for kids here. A recipient of the Blue Flag Beach award you can be sure it is clean, safe, and environmentally responsible. It is also dog-friendly as long as the dogs are on leashes. There are lifeguards during the peak times to make sure that everyone is safe. In addition to swimming, people enjoy surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kite-surfing.

Whales are known to visit the waters near this beach in July and December, and you may see them breaching and blowing water out of their blowholes. Whale watching trips are run regularly from Hermanus during the season when Southern Right whales are known to congregate in nearby Walker Bay.

There are plenty of restaurants nearby in Hermanus and it is only an hour from Cape Town. You will find hiking trails nearby if you want to explore nature. Grotto Beach is a great destination for an active getaway.