South Africa is spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches, but some are clearly more popular with visitors than others.
A new analysis of more than 162 000 Google reviews has revealed the country’s best-rated beaches, with the Western Cape dominating the rankings.
The analysis by SEO experts at seobacklinks.com looked at the Google Maps listings of beaches across South Africa on 5 October 2026. It excluded private and hotel beaches, resorts, tidal pools, inland swimming spots, beach pavilions and duplicate listings.
Only beaches with at least 200 Google reviews were included, leaving 119 beaches and 162 655 reviews in the final ranking. The beaches were ranked using their exact average ratings rather than Google’s rounded scores.
South Africa’s 10 best-rated beaches RankBeachLocationRatingReviews1Dias BeachCape Point4.873332Robberg 5 BeachPlettenberg Bay4.754053Struisbaai Main BeachStruisbaai4.757684Keurbooms BeachKeurboomstrand4.752165Coney Glen BeachKnysna4.732856Sardinia Bay BeachGqeberha4.721 1347Llandudno BeachCape Town4.713 0038Bakoven BeachCape Town4.711 1629Pringle Bay BeachPringle Bay4.7189810The PointJeffreys Bay4.713771. Dias Beach, Cape Point
Taking the top spot is Dias Beach at Cape Point, with an impressive average rating of 4.87 stars from 333 reviews.
The beach is tucked between dramatic cliffs at the southern end of the Cape Peninsula, giving it a more secluded feel than many of the city’s better-known beaches. One November 2024 reviewer described it as a “magnificent sandy beach nestled between towering cliffs”.
2. Robberg 5 Beach, Plettenberg Bay
Robberg 5 Beach in Plettenberg Bay came second, with 4.75 stars from 405 reviews.
The beach forms part of the spectacular Robberg area and is known for its natural surroundings and views. A September 2026 reviewer praised it as “always clean” and “never over crowded”.
3. Struisbaai Main Beach
Struisbaai Main Beach also scored 4.75 stars, but had significantly more reviews than Robberg 5, with 768.
Its long stretch of sand and relatively warm water appear to be among its biggest attractions. One February 2026 reviewer simply called it an “absolutely beautiful beach” with “nice warm water”.
4. Keurbooms Beach
Keurbooms Beach at Keurboomstrand recorded 4.75 stars from 216 reviews.
It was praised by reviewers for its peaceful atmosphere and cleanliness, with one March 2026 visitor calling it one of the cleanest and most peaceful beaches they had seen.
5. Coney Glen Beach
Knysna’s Coney Glen Beach took fifth place with 4.73 stars from 285 reviews. The beach is particularly popular for its combination of coastal scenery, picnic areas and parking.
6. Sardinia Bay Beach
Sardinia Bay Beach near Gqeberha was the only Eastern Cape beach in the top five and one of only two outside the Western Cape in the national top 10.
It recorded 4.72 stars from 1 134 reviews, giving it a substantial review base.
7. Llandudno Beach
Cape Town’s Llandudno Beach came seventh with 4.71 stars from more than 3 000 reviews. That makes it one of the most heavily reviewed beaches in the top 10, while still maintaining a rating well above four stars.
8. Bakoven Beach
Bakoven Beach, also in Cape Town, recorded 4.71 stars from 1 162 reviews.
Its sheltered setting and large rocks help create calmer sections of water, something visitors frequently mention in reviews.
9. Pringle Bay Beach
Pringle Bay Beach also scored 4.71 stars, from 898 reviews. The beach’s combination of wide sandy stretches and mountain and coastal views has made it a popular choice among visitors.
10. The Point, Jeffreys Bay
Rounding out the top 10 is The Point in Jeffreys Bay, with 4.71 stars from 377 reviews.
It is the second Eastern Cape beach to make the national top 10, alongside Sardinia Bay.
The Western Cape dominates
The Western Cape’s dominance is hard to miss, with eight of South Africa’s 10 highest-rated beaches in the province.
The province also had the highest average rating overall. Its 66 ranked beaches averaged 4.58 stars, compared with 4.50 stars across all 119 beaches included in the national analysis.
The findings suggest that visitors are particularly impressed by beaches offering clean sand, attractive natural surroundings, calmer water and a sense of space.