Along Cape Town’s spectacular Atlantic Seaboard coastline, you’ll find Cosy Bay Beach (also known locally as Sandy Cove) nestled between Bakoven and Llandudno on Victoria Road. This secluded beach is located within the Oudekraal Nature Reserve and forms part of Table Mountain National Park.
A Small Beach with Big Character
Unlike Cape Town’s larger, busier beaches (like Camps Bay or Clifton), Cosy Bay is relatively small and sheltered. A short walk down from the roadside parking leads you to a small sandy cove surrounded by enormous granite boulders. These rock formations not only frame the beach but also act as a natural break, creating a calm, rock-pool-style swimming area that’s ideal for a refreshing dip on a warm day. The water is crystal clear and shallow – making it perfect for younger kids to swim in the ocean, too. The water temperature remains cool as part of the Atlantic Ocean.
The sand here is a mix of fine grains, pebbles, and shell fragments, and while it’s not the ultra-smooth sand of the big beaches, it gives Cosy Bay a charmingly natural, unspoiled feel.
There are no restrooms at the beach itself. You can park your car at two small parking bays at Victoria Road where you will find two portable toilets.
Getting There & Practical Tips
- Location: Along Victoria Road (M6) between Bakoven and Llandudno, roughly 300 metres before the 12 Apostles Hotel if you’re coming from the south.
- Access: There are two small parking spots on either side of the road. From there, a short set of wooden stairs descends to the beach — nothing as strenuous as the major steps at Clifton, but still worth watching your step.
- Facilities: There are no major beach facilities (shop, restaurant or restrooms), so bring water, snacks and shade. Some days you might find a mobile coffee cart near the parking area, but it’s not guaranteed.
- Safety & Conservation: Cosy Bay is located within a “No Take Zone” — fishing, removing shells, rocks or marine life is prohibited and carries significant fines.
