Our unique coastline
Cape Town has over 300 kilometres of coastline, including two of the largest bays in South Africa – Table Bay and False Bay – and some of the world's most beautiful beaches.
The Cape coastline
Our rich and varied landscapes, plants and creatures make it the perfect coast to explore, as well as an important one to take care of. Cape Town’s 307 kilometre coastline has more than
70 beaches,
tidal pools, rocky and sandy shores, coastal dunes, estuaries and more!
Fast fact
Our marine and coastal ecosystems are home to rare and endangered species.
Our coastline is special because it:
- attracts visitors and tourism revenue to Cape Town;
- offers a connection to nature;
- protects the city from
storm surges;
- supports our unique
fauna and
flora;
- offers an abundance of food and raw materials;
- receives some of our waste; and
- supports subsistence fishermen and their families.
Threats to our coastline
Our coastline is precious and we need to protect it.
Here are some of the biggest threats to our coastline:
- Over-exploitation like poaching, especially of abalone;
- Habitat destruction from development and mining, and poor regulation thereof;
- Erosion and damage to sensitive coastal dune systems;
- Pollution from sewage, stormwater runoff and shipping activities;
- Invasive alien species (plants and animals) which alter natural processes by overrunning indigenous species; and
- Climate change which will increase the severity of weather putting coastal property and infrastructure at risk
Our marine biodiversity
We have one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the world. The warm Agulhas current that sweeps down the east coast and the cold Benguela current that flows up the west coast creates an incredibly rich and varied marine life.
Cape Town’s coastline offers some of the world’s best whale-watching spots. The whales most commonly seen from shore are Southern Right Whales, which visit our waters between June and November each year.
Fast fact
During summer, the west coast has an upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water that supports plankton growth. This then supports a variety of food webs, including shoals of 'Pelagic' fish like anchovies, pilchards and snoek.
Our rocky shores are especially rich in species because of their diversity of micro-habitats (smaller habitats). We also have breeding sites of seabirds and seals on offshore islands, while colonies of African penguin breed at Boulders Beach, Burgher’s Walk and on Robben Island.
Find out how we protect our coastline and its creatures, and how you can get involved by reading Conserving our coast.
Fast fact
In 1991, South Africa was the first country to declare White Sharks a protected species.
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