Muizenberg Beach Huts: Fascinating History + Where to Find Them
My husband and I recently found out that back in the early 1900s, Muizenberg Beach was the vacation hotspot in South Africa . People even called it “the cure of all aches.” Surfing put it on the map, and that chill, surf-town vibe is still going strong today. The thing that stuck with us most, though, was those bright, crayon-colored beach huts lined up along the sand.
Next up, I’ll share a bit about their history and where we actually found them during our epic 2-week South Africa vacation!
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History of the Muizenberg Huts
Brightly colored Muizenberg Beach Huts
Also known as bathing boxes, beach houses, or beach boxes, Muizenberg Beach is instantly recognizable by those insanely colorful huts. You can’t miss them.
Add in that dramatic mountain backdrop, and it’s basically begging to be on your Instagram feed. It’s easy to see why Muizenberg always makes the list of top things to do in Cape Town.
Here’s a fun bit of history we stumbled on: back in the early 1900s, strict Victorian ideas about modesty shaped how people went swimming. The beach huts we see today actually started because of those rules!
Before the beach hut, though, came something even stranger … the bathing machine. I had to Google it because I’d never heard of such a thing.
Apparently, beaches were once segregated by gender, and women had to use these 4-wheeled wooden boxes that got rolled into the sea so they could “bathe” out of sight. Basically, a mobile changing room!
They’d step in wearing regular clothes and step out the other side in a swimsuit. The old photos are both wild and hilarious.
When mixed bathing became acceptable around 1901, many of those old bathing machines had their wheels removed and were turned into the beach huts we know today.
They became cozy little spots to change, stash your stuff, and hide from the sun. And now they’re one of Cape Town’s most iconic sights!
Where to Find the Iconic Beach Huts
Location of Cape Town Beach Huts
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There are two locations to view the famous beach huts. One is right on Muizenberg Beach, but there is also a second location.
St. James Beach brightly colored huts
Just a quick 4-minute drive from Muizenberg Beach, you’ll find St. James Beach. A little hidden gem worth the stop.
It’s got a calm, sheltered shoreline, a lovely tidal pool, and another row of those iconic beach huts painted in every color of the crayon box.
Conservation of the Muizenberg Beach Huts
Vintage poster depicting Muizenberg Beach’s colorful bath houses at our hotel, Derwent House.
Fun fact: those classic surfer shots in front of the colorful Muizenberg beach huts were actually used to promote The Endless Summer. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s on Amazon Prime. Totally worth a watch.
The 1966 film follows two surfers traveling the world from Australia and New Zealand to Tahiti, Hawaii, and all the way to South Africa chasing new waves. Cape St. Francis was even dubbed the spot with the “perfect wave.”
It’s pretty cool to think these same beach huts have been part of that history. At one point, they were almost removed because of “safety concerns,” but locals rallied together to save them.
And thankfully, they won.
Now, the huts remain a bright, beloved piece of Muizenberg’s heritage.
Final Thoughts
Muizenberg Beach is 100% worth a stop! We added it to our Cape Peninsula day trip, which also included Boulders Beach (for the penguins, of course), Hout Bay, and the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens.
If you’re planning your own trip, I put together an awesome 2-week South Africa itinerary with tons of fun stops and hidden gems. Definitely check it out!
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
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Have you checked out the Muizenberg beach huts?
Let me know in the comments below!
Hi Nicole, thank you for your colourful and informative facts about Muizenberg and the bright, crayon-colored beach huts. Fun story to share with international tourists.
Thanks so much for reaching out! I’m really glad you enjoyed the piece on Muizenberg Beach.
Appreciate you reading along.
Happy New Year!
Nichole