Cupecoy Beach
A beach under soft sandstone cliffs on the west coast, changed by every storm.
Updated 3 September 2026
Cupecoy sits under low cliffs of soft sandstone at the western end of the Dutch side, and the sand there comes and goes: storms strip it and rebuild it, and the cliffs themselves are visibly eroding, with caves and overhangs cut into them. Access is by steps down from the road. It faces west, which makes it the standard place on this side to watch the sun go down.
The landscape
- The sandstone cliffs - soft rock cut into caves and overhangs.
- The changing sand - a beach stripped and rebuilt by each storm season.
- The overhangs - the sheltered pockets under the rock.
- The western aspect - the beach facing the evening sun.
When to go
December to April is the dry high season. Sand cover varies enormously with the storm season. Surf is strongest in winter.
What to expect
The cliffs are unstable and the overhangs collapse; do not sit under them. There is no beach at all after some storm seasons. Surf and undertow can be strong and there is no lifeguard.
Nearby
Mullet Bay is east, and the French border is west.
What to pack for Cupecoy Beach
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
- Head torch + spare batteries - Hands-free light is essential; caves are truly dark. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Cupecoy Beach is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
