Muizenberg Beachfront Upgrade 84% Complete Ahead of Summer Season

Cape Town’s iconic Surfer’s Corner is reopening in phases as the major Muizenberg beachfront redevelopment enters its final stretch before the festive holiday rush.

The City of Cape Town has announced that the Muizenberg beachfront upgrade has reached more than 84% completion, with key sections now reopening to the public ahead of the 2026 festive season.

The latest milestone includes the opening of the St James Walkway access from Surfer’s Corner and the newly completed western parking area, providing improved access for beachgoers as construction progresses.

Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, said the project remains on schedule, with most construction expected to be completed before the builders’ break in mid-December.

New Facilities Open to the Public

Visitors can now access the western parking area adjacent to the railway line, which features:

• Newly paved parking bays
• Universal-access pedestrian pathways
• Public benches
• Eco-friendly kerbing made from recycled plastic
• Improved pedestrian circulation

Streetlights in the area have already been installed and will be activated once the entire project is completed.

The phased reopening strategy aims to ensure public access to the beachfront while construction continues on remaining sections.

New Seawall Nearing Completion

At the heart of the redevelopment is a new stepped concrete revetment seawall designed to enhance coastal protection.

The new structure replaces the old wooden promenade, stone stairways and aging concrete seawall.

Project teams have already installed approximately 85% of the precast steps and promenade units.

Much of the stepped structure has been designed to sit beneath the sand during normal beach conditions, providing protection against coastal erosion while preserving the beach’s appearance.

Historic Materials Being Reused

The project incorporates sustainability measures through the reuse of materials from the original beachfront infrastructure.

Sandstone recovered from the previous seawall is being repurposed for:

• Landscaping elements in the new playground
• Cladding on structural retaining walls
• Public seating areas around the station forecourt

This approach preserves elements of Muizenberg’s heritage while reducing construction waste.

Upgraded Amenities and Public Spaces

Several new facilities are progressing rapidly toward completion.

Construction updates include:

• Roofing work scheduled to begin on the new central ablution facility
• Refurbishment of the Shark Spotters building nearing completion
• Upgrades to adaptive surfing facilities
• Construction of a new kelp forest-themed playground
• Installation of additional seating areas and public spaces
• Ongoing work on the Surfer’s Pergola

These improvements aim to create a more accessible and family-friendly beachfront experience.

Iconic Beach Huts Returning

Muizenberg’s famous colourful bathing huts, temporarily removed to accommodate construction, will soon return.

The City is replacing the original structures with eight new huts built to the same historic design, colours and layout.

The huts will be located at the central plaza and will also serve as wind shelters for outdoor shower facilities.

Importantly, the separate row of huts near the Zandvlei river mouth was never affected by construction and remains intact.

Ready for a Busy Summer

Muizenberg has once again earned Blue Flag status for the 2026/27 season, reinforcing its reputation as one of South Africa’s premier family-friendly beaches.

The beach continues to offer:

• Gentle swimming conditions
• Popular surfing opportunities
• Shark Spotters safety services
• Accessible beach facilities
• Inclusive adaptive surfing infrastructure

While some construction zones remain fenced off, the beach and surf areas have remained accessible throughout the project.

Visitors travelling to Muizenberg over the coming weeks are advised to expect limited parking and some ongoing construction activity. Officials recommend using the Southern Line train service, which provides direct access to Muizenberg Station and avoids seasonal traffic congestion.

With the project now entering its final stages, Cape Town’s historic beachfront is preparing to welcome thousands of holidaymakers to a revitalised and modernised coastal destination this summer.