Scarborough is not a place of crowds, but of calm. With its own white‑sand beach, fishing spots, and natural shoreline, it has an easygoing atmosphere that draws surfers, hikers, photographers, and travellers who value space and quiet. The village lies at the edge of the Cape Point Reserve, a protected area that guarantees there will be no large‑scale development here and preserves one of the richest floral landscapes on earth. 

Walk Scarborough Beach to hear the rhythm of the waves and watch the light shift over False Bay. Move inland along paths that weave through fynbos, the unique vegetation found only in this part of the world, and pause to see birds, tiny blossoms, and the rugged contours of the land meeting the sea.

Just north of Scarborough is Misty Cliffs, a dramatic stretch of coastline whose name reflects the ever‑changing moods of wind and sea. This small hamlet perches between mountain and ocean. Its cliffs rise above the water with rugged beauty, offering superb vantage points for long coastal walks, shoreline photography, and still moments looking over the Atlantic.

The nearby beaches — from scenic walking stretches to hidden coves — make this part of the peninsula ideal for coastal exploration. Hike the pathways that follow the cliffs. Watch kite surfers dance with the winds. Pause for a picnic and let the sea spray settle on the breeze.

A short drive south brings you to the famous Cape Point Nature Reserve, part of the larger Table Mountain National Park — a natural world heritage site. Here, mountains and ocean meet in rugged splendour, with sheer cliffs, rich biodiversity, and sweeping views that feel elemental and timeless.  

At Cape Point, you can walk to historic lighthouses, take the Flying Dutchman funicular to panoramic lookout points, or follow winding trails through fynbos and along cliff tops. There are opportunities for hiking, surfing, beach picnics, and ocean watching, all framed by the vastness of sea and sky.

The point has long been part of mariner lore, forever linked to old sea routes and stories of ships rounding these windswept rocks. From here, the restless meeting of currents and tides creates dramatic seascapes, and the promise of discovery at every turn.

Walks, Trails & Outdoor Life

Outside village streets and sandy beaches lie paths that beg to be explored. Some favourites include:

• Red Hill Footpath – Scenic walking trail with ocean outlooks and fynbos vegetation close by.  

• Thomas T. Tucker Shipwreck Hike – A coastal route leading to a historic shipwreck site near Olifantsbos Beach — dramatic old timber against timeless waves.

• Coastal drives – The stretch between Kommetjie, Misty Cliffs, and Scarborough is one of the Cape Peninsula’s quiet treasures, perfect for slow drives, bicycles, or simply pausing at a lookout.

Discover hidden surf spots, long beach walks, and places where you can stand and watch the sun move across the bay. It’s an outdoor life that feels rooted in place and pace.

Scarborough is small in size but rich in character. Its conservation ethos has kept life here simple and elegant — a contrast to the busier Cape Town beaches. You’ll find local cafés, artisanal stops, community spaces, and opportunities for fishing, bird watching, or just soaking up quiet moments by the water.

This is a place where people come to get back to nature, to walk, to breathe deeply, and to enjoy evenings by the sea. Scarborough’s sunsets are the village’s signature, painting the horizon in colours that linger long after the light has faded.

While Scarborough and Misty Cliffs feel wonderfully remote, they sit at the edge of one of South Africa’s most beloved natural treasures. A visit here pairs beautifully with:

• A day at Cape Point and its walking trails.

• Scenic coastal drives down the Peninsula.

• Stops at penguin colonies at Boulders Beach on return routes.

• Hidden surf breaks, rock pools, and wild beaches along the Atlantic.

Whether you’re staying for a moment or making Scarborough a base for exploration, this village is one of the Cape Peninsula’s best‑kept secrets — where landscape lives large, and the world feels beautiful in every direction.