As preparations for the summer rush pick up pace along the False Bay coastline, City officials are urging beachgoers to plan ahead.
A stretch of Strand Beach, specifically the area known as Mosterd’s Bay, will be inaccessible from 15 December to 15 January 2026 as authorities prioritise visitor safety during ongoing construction, as noted by the City of Cape Town.
City representatives explained that the closure forms part of the broader second phase of the Strand seawall project, an upgrade designed to reinforce this coastal strip for the long term.
According to municipal officials, the section between the Strand swimming pool and Norman Road will be temporarily off-limits while crews continue their work.
The closure means that swimmers will need to adjust their plans, but suitable alternatives remain close by, as the nearest safe swimming area, as highlighted by City teams, is near the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, where lifeguards will be on duty between the well-known red and yellow flags.
Those looking to fish or walk their dogs are advised to head east of Norman Road toward Greenways.
Neighbourhood watches and appointed security staff will be stationed throughout the holiday season to help direct visitors.
Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, noted that teams will ‘be on site to guide visitors to the nearest available beach’ and appealed for patience during the construction phase.
He added his thanks to residents and holidaymakers for their understanding as the major protective infrastructure takes shape.
Local councillors echoed the message of caution ahead of the busy summer period, as Councillor Chantal Cerfontein reminded the public four essential safety habits still apply.
‘Only swim where and when lifeguards are on duty, between their red and yellow flags designating the safest bathing areas; beware of rip currents; please don’t swim under the influence of alcohol and always actively monitor children in and around the water,’ she cautioned.
Visitors are also encouraged to pay attention to beach advisory signage, which may be updated throughout the season for public awareness.
Although the closure may shift holiday routines slightly, officials emphasise that it is temporary and necessary to ensure that visitors can enjoy a safer coastline, both now and well into the future.
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