The Flight Network has published its annual ranking of the best beaches in the world – which includes a ranking dedicated to the 50 most beautiful beaches in Africa, of which 6 are in the Western Cape – 4 right here in Cape Town. And the City aims to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all beachgoers with its Summer Safety campaign.
The Flight Network’s list is compiled by pooling the wisdom of over 1,200 journalists, editors, bloggers, and agencies, who specialise in travel.
Of the eight South African beaches ranked in the top 50 in Africa, four are in Cape Town, with one at the Wilderness and another in Knysna. The beaches are:
- Camp’s Bay Beach,
- Boulders Beach,
- Noordhoek Beach,
- Diaz Beach,
- Noetzie Beach – Knysna,
- Wilderness Beach – Garden Route
The City boasts 10 Blue Flag beaches and it’s not only these that attract thousands of daily local and international visitors during the peak season.
Summer Safety Campaign
Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department kicked off its Summer Safety campaign with a festival at Strandfontein on 8 December 2018. The campaign aims to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all beachgoers, but visitors will also have their part to play.
The City has deployed additional staff for the festive season, including more than 300 lifeguards who will be on duty at beaches and swimming pools; shark spotters at eight beaches; and specialised Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue Service dive crews with watercraft to assist in the event of sea rescues.
The City is working closely with the National Sea Rescue Institute and other-role players to ensure the safety of beachgoers.
During the festive season the City will also conduct joint operations focusing on life-saving, law enforcement, first aid and beach cleaning to promote a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for all visitors and residents.
Months of preparation go into making a day at the beach a relaxing time for everyone, but for that to happen visitors need to stick to the rules,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
At the heart of the Summer Safety campaign are four key messages that encourage beachgoers:
• not to drink and swim
• not to leave children unsupervised
• to be aware of rip currents
• to swim only between the flags where lifeguards are present
Launch of Summer Safety Campaign
‘A visit to the beach should be a day of bliss and fun in the sun and the City definitely doesn’t want any incidents to mar holiday memories. We’ll be doing our part to make sure visitors take only fond souvenirs and impressions with them,’ said Alderman Smith.
The City’s 24-hour Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) will be adequately staffed to ensure that all incidents received are logged and dispatched to the relevant service providers. Depending on the situation or event, additional staff will be brought in to cover the influx of calls.
For any emergency, call 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
See also Cape Town Green Map
