Monkey Valley Resort

You stay at Monkey Valley Resort in a milkwood forest that meets an eight-kilometer beach, with the trees sheltering the thatched cottages and the sea visible from the pools. The resort is designed to protect the forest, some of whose root systems may be two thousand years old. Paths lead directly from the property onto the beach, where you might see whales from May to November or flamingos in the lagoon.

There are fourteen thatched cottages and sixteen bed-and-breakfast rooms, many with sea views and fireplaces. Two swimming pools overlook the water. The treetop restaurant serves organic and free-range meals, with wood-fired pizzas and a selection of South African wines. A pub in the trees has a sauna nearby.

The beach is the main draw — wide, soft sand with lagoons for swimming and shipwrecks to explore. Horse riding is available along the shore, and mountain hikes can be arranged. Cape Town is twenty-five minutes away by car.