Are you looking for the most popular (and easy-to-reach) tidal pools in Cape Town? This guide has you covered (including a map at the end showing where each is located).
If youʻre booking your trip to Cape Town last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, and more!
🇿🇦 Top tours and activities in Cape Town:
- Wine tour from Cape Town (top-rated day trip option)
- Cape of Good Hope + penguins tour (loved this – many beaches!)
- Snorkeling with seals (such a unique tour option!)
🛌 Top hotels and places to stay:
- Central Beach Villas (where I stayed in Camps Bay; sea views)
- Urban Oasis Aparthotel (in CBD)
- Casa del Sonder (De Waterkant, great location)
🚗 Visiting Cape Town independently? Be sure to book your South Africa rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!
In this guide, I discuss some of the best Cape Town tidal pools, including how to get there, what to do there, and if there are any facilities for guests.
Let me know if I missed any of the top tide pools in Cape Town in the comments. Thanks!
In this post...
Best Tidal Pools in Cape Town
1. Camps Bay Tidal Pool
Camps Bay boasts one of the best tidal pools in Cape Town. It’s just a short walk from the Theatre on the Bay (located off Victoria Street).
The highlight of relaxing in this tidal pool is the breathtaking views, as you’ll be treated to epic vistas of Lions Head and the Twelve Apostles from here. The surrounding landscapes make it a great place to watch the sunset as well.
For those traveling as a family, Camps Bay Tidal Pool is the perfect option.
There are toilets and a children’s playground close by, and you’ll have access to plenty of nearby restaurants and bars, including The Pottery, which is one of my favorite places in Camps Bay!
Just keep in mind that this tidal pool can get busy and parking is sometimes a struggle, especially during the peak season.
2. Woolley’s Tidal Pool
Compared to Camps Bay, Woolley’s Tidal Pool is more of a hidden gem. Situated between Fish Hoek Beach and St James Beach, it’s just a short walk from Harbour House Restaurant so it’s in a great location.
This tidal pool is another great spot for families, as there’s a smaller, shallower pool as well as a deeper area for adults. However, the floor can be rocky so pack some water shoes!
This tidal pool is also far less crowded than the likes of Camps Bay, as it’s much more secluded.
From Woolley’s Tidal Pool, you’ll get fantastic views of False Bay.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot Southern Right whales from here, depending on the time of year (between June and November).
3. Dalebrook Tidal Pool
Next up is Dalebrook Tidal Pool, one of the more frequented tidal pools in Cape Town.
It’s just a short walk from St James Beach (one of the prettiest beaches in Cape Town!), near the popular seafood restaurant, Brass Bell – Kalk Bay.
This is a great spot for an early-morning swim. Although the water is pretty cold, your body will soon get used to it, and you’ll feel amazing afterward! To warm up, you can grab a coffee from Chardonnay Deli.
Dalebrook Tidal Pool does have a designated parking area, but it fills up quickly over the weekends. There’s also an outdoor shower, changing rooms, and toilets, so it has all the amenities you could need.
Like Wooley’s Tidal Pool, Dalebook is a great whale-watching spot.
4. Saunders’ Rock Tidal Pool
Saunders’ Rock is one of the best tidal pools in Cape Town. As the name suggests, it’s located along Saunders’ Rocks Beach, within the Sea Point suburb. This is where some of my favorite cafes are located.
Thanks to its location, this tidal pool is sheltered from the wind and offers stunning coastal views.
Although cold, the water is refreshing on a warm summer’s day, and it’s a great place for a picnic too, especially with the beach right here.
Saunders’ Rock Tidal Pool is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset or sunrise, making it a great spot for relaxing.
Although this tidal pool can get busy during the summer (especially on weekends), you might get it all to yourself if you visit during mid-week. There’s often plenty of parking too.
5. Maiden’s Cove Tidal Pool
At Maiden’s Cove, there are two tidal pools to choose from. They are just a short drive from the Clifton Beaches and Camps Bay Beach, so are in a great location too.
The scenery from these tidal pools will take your breath away, as you’ll get fantastic views of Table Mountain National Park and the Twelve Apostles.
The pools are also surrounded by huge boulders, which make excellent sunbathing spots.
Another reason to visit the Maiden’s Cove Tidal Pool is that there’s a Braai area, where you can enjoy a BBQ or a picnic after your dip. There’s a large grassy area where you can relax as a family or let the children run wild, as well as toilets.
Alternatively, if you don’t want a BBQ, you can head to The Bungalow, a local restaurant.
6. St James Tidal Pool
If you’re looking for the best tidal pools in Cape Town, check out St James Tidal Pool. Known for its colorful beach huts, surrounding sandy beaches, and striking coastal views, this place is a must-visit.
As the name suggests, St James Tidal Pool is located along St James Beach. It’s one of the city’s more popular tidal pools and is pretty big, so there’s plenty of room.
The water is relatively shallow, making it a popular spot with families, but there is a deeper area towards the edge of the ocean. There are also plenty of facilities, including a shower, toilets, and changing room, as well as a nearby cafe.
Of course, it can get busy here, especially if the weather is nice so we’d recommend arriving early.
7. Glencairn Tidal Pool
Glencairn Tidal Pool is located along Glencairn Beach, just a short drive from the area of Fish Hoek. It’s more secluded than many of the other tidal pools in Cape Town and is very spacious, making it an excellent spot for swimming.
Like many of the other tidal pools in this guide, it’s a great spot for families. Not only is this pool relatively shallow, but there are rock pools nearby which the little ones can explore at low tide.
The walkways are also well-maintained and there’s a sizable beach area close by where you can sunbathe.
Not only that but Glencairn Tidal Pool boasts incredible ocean and mountain views, so it’s a fantastic place to take in Cape Town’s beauty.
8. Miller’s Point Tidal Pool
Finally, there is Miller’s Point Tidal Pool. This tidal pool is around a 20-minute drive from the area of Fish Hoek and is just past Simon’s Town.
At this tidal pool, there’s a shallow area for children and a fun water slide that will drop you into the water. There are toilets and picnic areas around.
Miller’s Point is one of the more remote tidal pools in Cape Town. It’s located between two boat launch ramps, making it very secluded, yet it’s still popular.
There’s parking available for those with their own vehicle, but just be mindful of the baboons walking around, as they’ll happily steal any food that you have!
Cape Town Tidal Pools: On a Map!
Did I miss any of the best tidal pools in Cape Town?
Please let me know your favorites and ones that are easy to get to for travelers!
More Cape Town Travel Guides
- Snorkeling with seals in Cape Town
- Cape Malay cooking course
- What to do in Camps Bay
- Cafes in Cape Town
- Best beaches in Cape Town
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.