Sunscreen: check. Sunglasses: check. Big beach towel: check. Bottle of water and some yummy snacks: check. Ah, the anticipation of spending hours just lounging on the beach, salty seawater, sun-kissed bodies and hot soft sand. Fantastic.

But when you get there, your sandcastle in the sky is shattered. The howling wind whips sand into your eyes, the backwash is so bad that you can’t swim and the annoying horde of teenagers camped next to you keep blowing cigarette smoke in your face.

South Africa has a host of world class beaches, but creating a list of the best ones is a tricky exercise. Not because there is a shortage, but because not everyone wants the same thing from their beach experience.

Ideal conditions for a surfer often involve uncomfortable conditions for everybody else and the nature bunny’s paradise will fall far short of the fashionista’s expectations. Here are some of the best beaches across South Africa that’ll keep everybody happy…

Everybody’s gone surfing…

Surfers are unquestionably the most dedicated beach goers — getting up before the crack of dawn, through all seasons, in their quest for the perfect wave. They also tend to know every nook and cranny along the coastline, but for those still in the dark, here are a few of South Africa’s great surf spots.

Jeffrey's Bay, which is home to the Billabong Pro each July, has been dubbed the surf Mecca of SA. What was once a rustic hippie town, now attracts surfers from all over the world. J-Bay has earned its reputation as the soul of South African surfing because of its perfect points and classic reefs. Hotspots along this stretch of coastline include Supertubes, Kitchen Windows, Boneyards and Bruce’s Beauties(actually at St. Francis).

The west coast’s answer to Jay Bay is Eland’s Bay — a sensational surf spot with classic waves, lovely dunes and great walks. At the best of times, however, its water is icy and the winds pump.

Mdumbe, the jewel of the wild coast, also rivals Jay Bay when it is at its best. Its waves can break for an amazing 500 to 800 metres. On the downside, it is pretty tricky to get to, the facilities are basic and the sharks are a bit pesky.

Durban has a reputation as South Africa's 'surf city' and there are a number of fantastic surf spots along this stretch of the coastline. Bay of Plenty tends to get a bit too overcrowded, with between 60 and 100 surfers battling it out on the waves, while New Pier puts up a consistent wave and at its best is incredibly fast and hollow. Cave Rock is the best big wave spot in Durbs.

First footprint lovers

For those who dream of pristine beaches, untouched by the hordes of summer tourists, and home to almost-extinct species of plants and animals, there are still a number of eco-friendly beaches in South Africa. You just need to know where to find them…

In the Western Cape, the fairly well-known Boulders beach is home to a colony of jackass penguins. It offers fantastic swimming conditions and is the perfect spot if you want to learn how to snorkel. The entrance fee tends to keep the crowds away.

If you venture a little further, Platboombay in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve has unique flora and fauna and beautiful rock pools.

In the Eastern Cape, Port St. Johns is one of the more accessible sections of an otherwise secluded stretch of coastline. Unspoilt and tropical, this beach offers good lazing in the waters of the lagoon.

Kosi Bay, on the north-east corner of South Africa’s coastline (very close to Mozambique) is a paradise for eco-tourists. The pristine estuary is protected by lush marsh forest and mangroves, while crocs and hippos lurk in the Sihadhla River and turtles nest on the beach.

Babes, bikinis and bottles of self-tan...

For some, the beach is the perfect place to see and be seen. Gorgeous bodies, fashion that would make a model proud and just enough feigned indifference to make it all seem irrelevant.

Clifton in Cape Town reigns as South Africa’s most trendy beach. Divided into four separate beaches, Clifton is the watering hole of local celebrities, fashionable gays and Cape Town’s happening crowd. Sheltered by the mountain and immune to most of Cape Town’s nasty wind, this picturesque beach, with its clear icy aquamarine water and white sand, has earned its reputation — it’s postcard perfect.

Slightly less trendy, but still a major hotspot, is Camps Bay. This well-known stretch of palm-lined beach offers a little more action with beach volleyball and the occasional surfer. When you’re done on the beach, pop in to one of the many stylish bars overlooking the sea for a cocktail.

Sandcastles, spades and sticky fingers

Kids want something slightly different out of their beach experience — easy warm waves to play in, endless stretches of sandcastle ingredients and ice-creams. Most of these family-friendly beaches fall along the more forgiving eastern seaboard.

Muizenberg’s almost iconic colourful changing rooms set the tone for a beach that is all about family fun and action. This long stretch of beach, where most Capetonians learn to surf, offers great swimming, walks and even a market.

Not far from this is Fish Hoek, a quiet seaside village with a family-oriented beach. With warm water and an ever-present lifesaving team, this beach offers safe swimming (as long as you don’t venture too far) and fun activities such as sailing or boogie boarding and a play area for young kids.

North Beach, the busiest on Durban’s Golden Mile, also has lifeguards who ensure safe swimming in the warm waters. A wide promenade runs along the beach and on the other side of this are a number of entertainment options from pools and fun-fair attractions to shops and restaurants.

There you have it — a guide to all that’s great about South Africa’s beaches. So, pick a beach, smear on some sunscreen and relax!