Every year, the Flight Network publishes its annual ranking of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Out of the top 50 beaches in Africa, eight can be found right here in South Africa. 

The list is compiled from the opinions and work of over 1 200 agencies, bloggers, editors and journalists who specialize in travel. 

Four beaches can be found in and around Cape Town, two along the Garden Route, one in Port Elizabeth and one in Coffee Bay. Four of these made the overall top ten in Africa, which included:

1. Anse Source D’Argent – La Digue Island (Seychelles)
2. Diani Beach – Kwale County (Kenya)
3. Anse Lazio – Praslin Island (Seychelles)
4. Noetzie Beach – Plettenberg Bay (South Africa)
5. Coffee Bay – Eastern Cape (South Africa)
6. Camps Bay Beach – Cape Town (South Africa)
7. Nungwi Beach – Zanzibar
8. Boulders Beach – Cape Town (South Africa)
9. Skeleton Coast – Namibia
10. Pereybere Beach – Riviere Du Rempart (Mauritius)

Let’s take a look at the five most beautiful beaches in South Africa, according to the Flight Network, with numbers six, seven and eight being the nature-lover’s haven of Wilderness Beach, the wondrous Noordhoek Beach and Mossel Bay’s surfer-favourite Diaz Beach.
 

Also known as the beach of castles – most of which were built along the shore in the 1930s. You may remember Noetzie making the headlines a little while ago due to the R56 million castle that can be found looking out over the secluded bay, rented out for up to R110 000 a night.
 

Noetzie can be found a mere ten minutes’ drive east of Knysna in a little hidden cove with an absolutely beautiful beach, surrounded by the dense forest which forms part of the Noetzie Conservancy.

Enjoying 277 days of annual sunshine and an average annual temperature of 14°C, The Flight Network has scored Noetzie:
 

• 10/10 for sheer, untouched beauty; 
• 10/10 for remoteness, and; 
• 8/10 for sand and water quality.  

The little seaside village of Coffee Bay can be found in the heart of our Wild Coast, and offers unspoiled swimming beaches, excellent fishing opportunities, vibrant bars and above all – a scenery that will take your breath away.
 

Holiday-makers looking to get as far away from the hustle and bustle of the city life will find the ideal home along the area’s rugged coastline, in one of the most beautiful parts of our country.

With 229 days of annual sunshine and an average annual temperature of 23°C, The Flight Network has scored Coffee Bay an amazing, all round:

• 10/10 for sheer, untouched beauty;
• 10/10 for remoteness, and;
• 10/10 for sand and water quality.  

Camps Bay is the emperor of South African beaches, and one of the trendiest spots in Cape Town. It has everything a holiday-maker could want, and more. Aside from an abundance of natural beauty such as palm trees, sparkling blue waters and pure white sand all set against a majestic mountain backdrop, you’ve got the lively sidewalk cocktail bars and restaurants.
 

The descent down from the city into Camps Bay provides one of the most memorable views you’ll ever find in South Africa, and if that’s not enough, tourist-favourite Clifton beach is also just around the corner. 

Enjoying 129 days of annual sunshine and an average annual temperature of 14°C, The Flight Network has scored Camps Bay Beach: 

• 8/10 for sheer, untouched beauty; 
• 7/10 for remoteness, and; 
• 10/10 for sand and water quality.  

Ah, yes, those delightful little penguins. Boulder’s Beach is located just outside of Simon’s Town and gets its name from the ancient granite boulders surrounding the beach inlets.

A colony of African penguins settled here back in 1982, and now being on the verge of extinction, it remains one of the only places where these birds can be viewed at close range. In fact, they wander so freely in the midst of the residential area that you have to check underneath your car before driving away – just in case one of them may be hiding out.
 

With the penguins, boulders to climb, an abundance of rock pools to splash around in, deep blue waters and a beach boardwalk to enjoy, Boulder’s Beach makes for a lovely vacation for the entire family. 

Boulder’s is sunny almost all year around, enjoying 295 days of annual sunshine and an average annual temperature of 22°C, The Flight Network has scored it: 

• 9/10 for sheer, untouched beauty; 
• 7/10 for remoteness, and; 
• 10/10 for sand and water quality.  

PE offers a wealth of stunning beaches, particularly Hobie, and provides a good alternative to the chaotic Durban North Beach. Hobie Beach can be found around the vicinity of the Port Elizabeth Boardwalk and Shark Rock Pier, and it is a favourite for sunbathing, surfing and swimming. 

For the inquisitive, there are many sheltered rock pools teeming with fascinating sea life, and for those just looking to relax and take in the view there are plenty of restaurants and bars – plus a casino and hotels nearby.

This Windy City beach sees 275 days of annual sunshine and an average annual temperature of 24°C, The Flight Network has scored it:

• 8/10 for sheer, untouched beauty;
• 7/10 for remoteness, and;
• 6/10 for sand and water quality.