Strand (Afrikaans for 'beach') is a seaside resort situated on the eastern edge of False Bay and at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. It is about 50 km southeast of Cape Town. Strand is in the Western Cape province of South Africa, and has a population of approximately 55,000. Strand's main attraction is the 5 km white sandy beach.
Strand was established as a holiday and fishing resort in 1714. In 1970, during the notorious Apartheid era, all black, coloured and Asian people were forcefully removed when the town was classified as a white-only resort. Included in the communities forced to leave at this time were the descendants of Cape Malay slaves, who had escaped from Cape Town over 100 years earlier. They lost their homes, but their mosque still stands today. The population has subsequently fully re-integrated and now represents a diverse and vibrant community.
Strand falls under the City of Cape Town municipality. It is in close proximity to the inland town of Somerset West. Recent expansion and development of both towns has resulted in the two now being adjacent to each other, with shopping malls and residential complexes creating the connections. The unofficial divide between the two towns is the national road which bisects them, the N2. Strand forms part of the Helderberg Basin, along with Somerset West and Gordon's Bay.
Strand offers white-sanded beaches and views of the Cape Peninsula. During the summer, tourists from other parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, and abroad, come to enjoy the seaside offerings. Tourism has been a major source of local income since 1950, when the town was popular with visitors from the north of the country, and was home to many retired veterans of the Boer War.
The main beach in the Strand, Melkbaai Beach, is known as one of the best and safest bathing areas in the country. Facilities on or nearby this beach include a location with a super tube and mini-golf. Water sports may be conducted from various points along the beachfront.
Strand has a wide variety of organised sport including a golf course, tennis courts, rugby fields, squash clubs, jukskei, and water sports like surfing, sailing, power boating, paddle skiing and board sailing. The Pipe is a part of the beach marked off for surfers and is known for its big, "surfable" waves.
Strand also has an Olympic-sized indoor pool which is centrally heated and is open all year round.
This site was chosen because it is an easy find and also a dog-friendly beach. It is officially the “end of the beach” for Strand…!