Camps Bay is the stomping ground of the more discerning Capetonian and visitor to South Africa. Home to a long stretch of white, sandy beach and the calmest waters in Cape Town and set on a backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountains, it’s not hard to see why.
When the models, body-builders and general elite of Cape Town are not at the V&A Waterfront or Woodstock Market, they’re probably at home in Camps Bay. On the drive down to the bay from Cape Town, passers-by can only imagine the stunning view the inhabitants must have from their trendy homes overlooking the beach and community below. Even internationally-recognised celebrities are getting in on the Camps Bay action – both Robbie Williams and Leonardo di Caprio are known to frequent the area.
What is There to do in Camps Bay?
The scene in Camps Bay is all about the beach, cocktail and café culture. It’s not the place for surfing, which means that it’s all about looking good on the beach. The coffee chain ‘Vida e Caffé’ is popular across South Africa and the Camps Bay branch is no exception. It is a great shame that all the bars, restaurants and cafés along the Camps Bay front are across the road from the beach, due to sensible government-imposed building restrictions. While it’s pleasant to sit on a pavement table at any of the bars/eateries, patrons can only imagine how blissful it would be to be sitting directly in front of the sand, rather than catching glimpses of it through the passing traffic.
A fairly new addition to the Camps Bay café portfolio is Café Caprice. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails as well as coffee, it’s becoming renowned as being the most vogueish spot in Camps Bay.
Camps Bay Bar
Baraza is strictly a bar-only on the Camps Bay Promenade and perhaps has the edge over Café Caprice and the like as it’s above ground-level. Nab a coveted seat on the balcony of the Zanzibar-themed bar - it's the ideal spot to wile the evening away with a proper ocean view and makes a change from the nightspots in Long Street. “Baraza” is Swahili for “meeting place” and it certainly has the more homely feel that the polished, ultra-modern bars miss out on.
Begging in Camps Bay
Being one of the wealthiest suburbs of Cape Town and attracting a lot of tourists, Camps Bay also entices a lot of beggars and begging here is much more prominent than in other parts of town. It’s especially sad to see children, or mothers and children asking for money. If visitors want to help, give them already-opened drinks and food to ensure they consume the goods themselves. There are also some street performers and musicians playing on the streets. They‘re trying to earn a decent living, so give them some time.
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