Dramatically
surrounded by sheer craggy cliffs, Diaz
Beach is situated right
at the tip of Cape Point on the western side. It deserves its reputation as one
of the most scenically stunning Cape
Town beaches. Access to this beach is down a series of
wooden stairs and only takes about 20 minutes. The climb up can take twice as
long; will probably leave you breathless and sweaty but it is well worth the
effort.
Standing
on Diaz Beach gazing at the relentless waves battering the 200 metre cliffs,
you will be moved by the sensation of adventure and awesome power of nature
that radiates from this lovely place. On most occasions you'll have the beach
to yourself, occasionally sharing it with troops of baboons and flocks of
seabirds. Swimming on this beach can be dangerous. Diaz
Beach can produce excellent waves with
a North Westerly wind and the right swell
direction. Surfers love it for its big, hollow, closeout barrels. Photographers
love it for its awesome beauty and many moods. Couples love it for romantic
beach walks.
Most visitors to the Cape of Good
Hope have their photos taken in front of the sign that declares
the site to be the southwestern most point of the African continent. Some ride
the funicular up jagged cliffs to see Cape Point Lighthouse and look seaward, to
where the cold west coast Beguela current merges with the warm east coast
Agulhus current, imagining the fierce storms that make this such a treacherous
passage. Then they clamber back into their rental cars and tour buses and
return to Cape Town,
happy to say they have been to Cape Point. The few hearty souls who hike the
trails along the precipitous clifftops, or even venture to the edge and look
down, discover Diaz
Beach, a pure white
sand jewel tucked between jutting rock arms.
Diaz
is a great spot for surfing and body boarding, although the waves are not for
the beginner. Heavy barrels are common and there is a fairly severe shore
break. And it should be said that this is not the place for frolicking in the
water, as heavy currents can carry swimmers out to sea. But the beach is
stunning and almost always secluded, aside from the wild baboons who sometimes
wander down to the water’s edge. To reach Diaz Beach, travel south from Cape Town to the Cape Point section of Table Mountain
National Park (formerly Cape Peninsula National Park). Take Cape Point Road all
the way to the end to the parking lot, then follow the path on the right hand
side all the way down to the beach. The walk takes about 20 minutes down and
30-40 minutes up, but is well worth the effort for the spectacular views along
the way and a fun day of sun worshiping.
