MAIN Beaches International

It always comes as a surprise to first-time visitors in South Africa that its coastline is not as warm as it looks in the travel brochures!

Cooled by the Atlantic, and the Antarctic to the south, most of South Africa's picture-perfect beaches around Cape Town are too cool during the winter - when whale watching, coastal drives and beach hikes are the preferred beach activity.

Only when waters warm in the summer months between November and February can swimmers dip, or surfers ride the waves without the protection of a wet suit on most of the beaches in South Africa..

For year round beach fun, head for the Eastern Cape - where Jeffrey's Bay features famous surfing areas, and protected beaches around Durban in KwaZula Natal provide world class resorts warmed by Indian Ocean currents.

More about South African beaches around the Web:

South African Attractions & Destinations - Point to any spot on the map and be transported to all-around great travel info including top beaches and resorts along the coasts.

South Africa Beaches - Picks of the country's best beaches in Cape Town, and on the Eastern and Western Capes, a list of Blue Flag approved beaches, plus links to related hotels & accommodations.

South Africa - Best Beaches - Good thumbnail guide to cold and warm water beaches, Blue Flag approved resorts.

South Africa's year-around beaches - Photos and information on top beaches on the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Peninsula and the Garden Route on the Western Cape, with related resources.