South Africa’s coastline threads the Atlantic and Indian Oceans with a mix of rugged headlands, sand-fringed coves, and working harbours that shape local life, wildlife, and weather patterns. Whether you’re planning a coastal drive, a research project, or a day at the water, knowing where each inlet sits helps you pick the right spot.
There are 40 Bays in South Africa, ranging from Alexander Bay to Walker Bay. For each entry you’ll find below the fields Province, Coordinates (lat, long), Key features to help with navigation, visiting, or study—so you can quickly compare locations and plan next steps based on what matters to you.
Which bays are safest for swimming and easy public access?
Safety and access vary by bay; use the Key features to spot entries mentioning beaches, lifeguards, or sheltered waters, and check the Coordinates to see proximity to towns and facilities. Local signage and recent trip reports give the best current picture—this list points you to likely candidates but isn’t a substitute for local advisories.
Can I use this list for navigation or academic work?
Yes for preliminary planning and reference: the Province and Coordinates fields provide location clarity, while Key features highlight practical and ecological notes. For navigation, always cross-check with official nautical charts and for research, supplement with primary sources and up-to-date local data.
Bays in South Africa
| Name | Province | Coordinates (lat, long) | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Table Bay | Western Cape | -33.93,18.42 | major harbour, city waterfront, shipping lanes |
| Hout Bay | Western Cape | -34.05,18.36 | fishing harbour, beach, scenic valley, seals |
| Camps Bay | Western Cape | -33.97,18.37 | sandy beach, promenade, cafés, views of Twelve Apostles |
| Clifton Bay | Western Cape | -33.96,18.39 | series of sheltered coves, sought-after beaches, rock pools |
| False Bay | Western Cape | -34.20,18.50 | large bay, whale-watching, naval history, coastal towns |
| Simon’s Bay | Western Cape | -34.18,18.44 | naval harbour, yacht moorings, historic town |
| Kalk Bay | Western Cape | -34.12,18.42 | fishing village, tidal pools, harbour, seafood restaurants |
| Fish Hoek Bay | Western Cape | -34.17,18.43 | family beach, gentle surf, tidal flats |
| Gordon’s Bay | Western Cape | -34.13,18.85 | marina, beaches, False Bay coastal town |
| Walker Bay | Western Cape | -34.42,19.22 | whale-watching, Hermanus, rugged coastline, fishing |
| Saldanha Bay | Western Cape | -33.01,17.95 | deep natural harbour, fishing, industry, birding |
| St. Helena Bay | Western Cape | -32.78,17.93 | productive fishing waters, small harbours, flat coastline |
| Lamberts Bay | Western Cape | -32.08,17.82 | fishing port, bird colonies, rock pools |
| Doringbaai | Western Cape | -31.45,17.26 | sheltered cove, fishing village, anchorage |
| Paternoster | Western Cape | -32.86,17.99 | white beaches, fishing village, rock pools |
| Mossel Bay | Western Cape | -34.18,22.13 | historic harbour, tourism hub, beaches |
| Plettenberg Bay | Western Cape | -34.05,23.37 | resort bay, beaches, marine life, estuary |
| Knysna Bay | Western Cape | -34.04,23.04 | famous estuary entrance, boating, oysters |
| Herolds Bay | Western Cape | -34.00,22.45 | small sheltered cove, holiday resort, swimming |
| Stilbaai (Still Bay) | Western Cape | -34.24,21.61 | estuary mouth, long beaches, holiday town |
| Gansbaai | Western Cape | -34.58,19.36 | shark-cage diving, whale watching, fishing harbour |
| Algoa Bay | Eastern Cape | -33.96,25.62 | Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, major port, islands |
| St Francis Bay | Eastern Cape | -34.11,24.87 | canal village, long beaches, surfing, lagoon |
| Morgan Bay | Eastern Cape | -31.91,29.64 | cliffs, estuary mouth, surfing, seaside village |
| Coffee Bay | Eastern Cape | -31.90,29.27 | rugged bay, Hole in the Wall, surf, remote |
| Port St Johns | Eastern Cape | -31.62,29.47 | river estuary mouth, deep inlet, surfing |
| Nahoon Bay | Eastern Cape | -32.98,27.98 | surf spot, estuary mouth, East London area |
| Durban Bay | KwaZulu-Natal | -29.87,31.03 | major port, city beaches, shipping, surf |
| Richards Bay | KwaZulu-Natal | -28.78,32.04 | industrial harbour, deepwater port, beaches |
| Sodwana Bay | KwaZulu-Natal | -27.50,32.84 | coral reefs, diving, marine reserve, fishing |
| St Lucia (Bay) | KwaZulu-Natal | -28.37,32.41 | large estuarine bay, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, wildlife |
| Kosi Bay | KwaZulu-Natal | -27.10,32.83 | lagoons and estuaries, traditional fisheries, biodiversity |
| Alexander Bay | Northern Cape | -28.57,16.46 | Orange River mouth, border area, fishing |
| Hondeklip Bay | Northern Cape | -29.15,17.10 | rocky bay, fishing village, quiet coastline |
| Port Nolloth Bay | Northern Cape | -29.26,16.89 | coastal harbour, fishing, desert coast access |
| Wakkerstroom Bay (Buffalo Bay area) | Western Cape | -34.01,23.69 | sheltered cove, holiday beach, rock pools |
| Santos Bay (St. Marys area) | Eastern Cape | -33.92,25.80 | small coastal inlet, beaches, local fishing |
| Blue Bay (False Bay area) | Western Cape | -34.02,18.40 | small sheltered bay, residential, beach access |
| Mpenjati Bay | KwaZulu-Natal | -31.04,30.30 | estuary mouth, protected reserve, rock pools |
| St Lucia Estuary Mouth | KwaZulu-Natal | -28.37,32.42 | estuaries, wildlife viewing, boat trips |
Images and Descriptions
Table Bay
Table Bay is Cape Town’s broad harbour bay fronting the city and Robben Island. It’s historically vital for shipping, offers city beaches and views of Table Mountain, and serves as a gateway for sea travel and marine activity.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a sheltered, scenic inlet west of Cape Town with a working fishing harbour, a sandy beach and nearby hiking routes. It’s popular for boat trips, seal sightings and a lively village atmosphere.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is a fashionable, sheltered bay with broad white sands, a palm-lined promenade and ocean-facing restaurants. It’s a favorite sunset spot with dramatic mountain backdrops right beside Cape Town.
Clifton Bay
Clifton Bay comprises four sheltered coves between Camps Bay and Lion’s Head. Known for white sands and exclusive seaside residences, it’s prized for sunbathing, calm swimming and dramatic Atlantic views.
False Bay
False Bay is a broad southeastern bay of Cape Town stretching to the Cape Peninsula. Famous for whale watching off Hermanus, it hosts several towns, fishing history and varied marine life along its steep coastline.
Simon’s Bay
Simon’s Bay (Simon’s Town) is a well-sheltered inlet on False Bay with naval heritage, preserved maritime buildings and access to Seal Island tours. The town is a popular base for exploring the Cape Peninsula.
Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay is a lively historic fishing harbour and cove famed for its harbour, fresh seafood, artsy shops and tidal pools. It’s a popular day‑trip spot with a relaxed village vibe on False Bay’s coast.
Fish Hoek Bay
Fish Hoek Bay is a shallow, family-friendly bay with a long sandy beach and safe swimming conditions. It’s a local favourite for bathing, beginner surf lessons and relaxed seaside strolls.
Gordon’s Bay
Gordon’s Bay sits on the eastern rim of False Bay with sheltered beaches, a small harbour and a scenic coastal drive. It’s known for diving sites, seaside cafes and views across the bay.
Walker Bay
Walker Bay near Hermanus offers some of South Africa’s best shore-based whale watching in season. The bay’s dramatic cliffs, beaches and fishing heritage draw nature lovers and coastal walkers.
Saldanha Bay
Saldanha Bay is a large, sheltered west-coast bay with natural deep-water anchorage. It supports industry, fisheries and good birding on surrounding salt pans and is central to West Coast maritime activity.
St. Helena Bay
St. Helena Bay on the west coast is known for rich fishing grounds and small coastal villages. Its calm waters and marine life make it important for local fisheries and coastal tourism.
Lamberts Bay
Lamberts Bay is a west-coast inlet with a working harbour, great birdwatching (Cape gannet colonies nearby) and tidal rock pools. It’s a traditional fishing town with strong coastal character.
Doringbaai
Doringbaai (Doring Bay) is a small, sheltered fishing bay on the Western Cape’s northern coast known for its tranquil waters, fishing boats and a relaxed rural seaside setting.
Paternoster
Paternoster is a picturesque fishing village on a fine sandy bay with classic white-washed cottages. Visitors enjoy seafood, beaches and coastal walks in a peaceful west-coast setting.
Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is a busy coastal bay with a historic harbour, beaches and a strong tourism industry. It’s known for maritime history, safe swimming spots and adventure activities like shark-cage diving nearby.
Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a popular Garden Route resort bay with broad beaches, an estuary, rich marine life and outdoor activities. It’s a major draw for beachgoers, boaters and nature tours.
Knysna Bay
Knysna Bay refers to the Knysna Heads area where a large estuary meets the sea. It’s renowned for boating, oyster culture and dramatic sandstone cliffs on the Garden Route.
Herolds Bay
Herolds Bay is a sheltered cove on the Garden Route with a sandy beach and holiday homes. It’s popular with families, swimmers and those wanting a quiet coastal base near George.
Stilbaai (Still Bay)
Stilbaai (Still Bay) features a wide estuary mouth and long sandy beaches popular for swimming, fishing and family holidays. The town is a relaxed coastal destination with nearby nature areas.
Gansbaai
Gansbaai sits on a productive bay famed for white‑shark encounters and seasonal whale watching. The harbour supports fishing and tourism; tourists come for boat trips to offshore islands and shark viewing.
Algoa Bay
Algoa Bay fronts Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and is a significant deep-water bay with offshore islands, busy shipping, beaches and rich marine biodiversity. It’s key to Eastern Cape maritime activities.
St Francis Bay
St Francis Bay is a distinctive inlet and canal-backed bay with long beaches, excellent waves and a relaxed holiday vibe. The waterways and harbour area make it popular for boating and birding.
Morgan Bay
Morgan Bay is a small coastal bay with dramatic cliffs, a river mouth and good surf breaks. The village is charming and attracts walkers, birdwatchers and holidaymakers looking for natural scenery.
Coffee Bay
Coffee Bay is a wild, scenic bay on the Wild Coast known for its dramatic “Hole in the Wall” rock formation, surf and remote coastal beauty. It’s popular with backpackers and coastal hikers.
Port St Johns
Port St Johns occupies a striking estuarine bay at the Mzimvubu River mouth with steep cliffs, strong surf breaks and cultural riverfront life. It’s a gateway to the rugged Wild Coast.
Nahoon Bay
Nahoon Bay near East London is a well-known surf bay with a river mouth and beach offering consistent waves, estuarine birding and easy access from the city’s outskirts.
Durban Bay
Durban Bay is the broad inlet anchoring the city of Durban and its busy harbour. It combines industrial shipping infrastructure with popular city beaches and strong surf culture along its rim.
Richards Bay
Richards Bay is a deep-water natural bay turned into a major industrial and export port. Nearby coastal stretches include beaches and dune systems; the port is crucial to regional economy.
Sodwana Bay
Sodwana Bay is internationally known for excellent diving on coral reefs within a protected marine area. It’s a gateway to remote beaches, big-game fishing and specialist dive tourism.
St Lucia (Bay)
St Lucia refers to the wide estuarine bay and lake system in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Rich in wildlife, hippos and birdlife, it’s a unique coastal ecology and UNESCO site.
Kosi Bay
Kosi Bay is a string of interconnected estuarine lagoons and coastal inlets near the Mozambique border. Known for traditional fish traps, pristine beaches and rich biodiversity, it’s popular with eco-tourists.
Alexander Bay
Alexander Bay sits at the mouth of the Orange River near South Africa’s northwestern border. The bay and town are remote, with mining history and coastal desert landscapes.
Hondeklip Bay
Hondeklip Bay (Hondeklipbaai) is a small coastal inlet on the Namaqua coast with a quiet fishing village, rocky shores and striking desert-meets-sea scenery popular with anglers and solitude seekers.
Port Nolloth Bay
Port Nolloth sits on a bay along the Namaqua coast with a working harbour and access to dramatic arid coastline. It’s a historic coastal town with salt and diamond-mining links.
Wakkerstroom Bay (Buffalo Bay area)
Buffalo Bay (on the Garden Route near Knysna/Plettenberg) is a small sheltered beach and cove popular for family holidays, swimming and easy seaside walks in the region.
Santos Bay (St. Marys area)
Santos Bay is a modest coastal inlet near the Algoa Bay area with sandy beaches and local fishing activity; it’s a quieter spot compared with larger nearby bays.
Blue Bay (False Bay area)
Blue Bay is one of several small sheltered coves on the Cape Peninsula with calm waters, beach access and scenic coastal drives; it’s popular for local day trips and picnics.
Mpenjati Bay
Mpenjati Bay at the Mpenjati estuary is a coastal bay near Port Edward with a protected nature reserve, tidal pools and family-friendly beaches, offering relaxed seaside recreation.
St Lucia Estuary Mouth
The St Lucia estuary mouth creates a broad coastal bay area renowned for boat tours, hippo and crocodile sightings, and access to the wetlands of iSimangaliso for birding and nature experiences.
