Diaz Beach at Cape Point comes into view at cliff's edge

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.

A rest area on the trail to Cape Point Lighthouse; Diaz Beach is barely visible in the distance

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. The entrance fee to the park is 75 Rand (about $10 U.S. at the time of writing). Photo credit: Barbara Weibel Article by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels