Hike to Diaz Beach
Details
Distance
0.5 miles
Elevation Gain
-450 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by John Chau
Diaz Beach is a splendid, serene beach typically deserted in the winter months (June-August) that is absolutely outstanding to visit. White sands, rocky sandstone cliffs and pinnacles, and blue waters make it a perfect spot for that sunset walk with your significant other.
After parking at the Cape Point parking lot, simply take the small unpaved path that leads south towards the ocean. Head down the gravel steps and follow it as it bears west (right) along a wooden boardwalk. Stay on the boardwalk until it ends at several rocky slabs. Cross the slabs and you should easily find the trail again as it continues. Stay on it a few hundred feet until you reach a set of steep stairs that head down to the beach. Simply hike down those stairs to the sandy slopes below and boom, you're in one of the most beautiful spots in Africa.
Explore the cliffs to the east and west and check out the two stalwart pinnacles of sandstone that reside on the beach (easy to climb and often have rock dassies sunbathing at the top). Chill out in the small bench hidden under one of the sandstone ledges that some cool beachgoer explorers built.
If you go towards sunrise or sunset, you have a much higher chance at seeing the many wildlife that thrive in the area. Attentive visitors might see ostriches, dassies, baboons,Cape Elands, seals, sharks, various birds, African penguins, Red Hartebeests and more can be seen.
After exploring the beach, head out to Simon's Town to see penguins (if you didn't see any at the point) and grab a bite to eat at the Salty Sea Dog - they have phenomenal fish (Hake) and chips!
Notes:
- There is an approximately R125 (approx. $10) fee per adult to enter into the park.
- The park stays open from sunrise to sunset, and if you stay past sunset you can be fined approximately $50 (or locked in).
- Don't go into the frigid water at the beach - the undercurrent is extremely severe and with rocky cliffs (several thousand feet high) for miles around the peninsula, the chance of survival is pretty slim.
- Be careful of the baboons in the area - Lock your car doors, don't show them any food, and don't get near them - they can bite your face off.
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Details
Distance
0.5 miles
Elevation Gain
-450 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Leave No Trace
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We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.