Camps Bay vs Bantry Bay: Which Area Delivers Better Airbnb Returns?

When property owners ask us where they should invest for short-term rental income, Camps Bay and Bantry Bay are almost always part of the conversation.

Both suburbs sit on Cape Town’s prestigious Atlantic Seaboard and attract affluent local and international travellers. However, despite being neighbours, they offer very different guest experiences and investment dynamics.

Choosing between the two depends on your property type, investment objectives and target guest profile.

Few destinations in South Africa have the international recognition of Camps Bay. Its combination of white sand beaches, ocean views, luxury villas, trendy restaurants and the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range make it one of the most searched and requested locations for visitors to Cape Town.

Why Guests Love Camps Bay

• Walking distance to the beach
• Vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene
• Iconic ocean views
• Strong international brand recognition
• Wide variety of accommodation options
• Excellent selection of restaurants and cafés
• Easy access to Clifton, Sea Point and the City Bowl

For many visitors, staying in Camps Bay is part of the Cape Town experience.

Bantry Bay offers a completely different experience. Unlike Camps Bay, Bantry Bay is not centred around beaches, restaurants or nightlife. Instead, it appeals to guests seeking privacy, tranquillity and uninterrupted ocean views.

One of its biggest advantages is its unique position below Lion’s Head, which protects much of the suburb from Cape Town’s prevailing south-easterly winds.

Why Guests Love Bantry Bay

• Significantly less wind than most Atlantic Seaboard suburbs
• More exclusive and private atmosphere
• Exceptional ocean views
• Close proximity to Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay
• Lower density of short-term rental properties
• Quiet residential environment
• Strong appeal to luxury travellers and repeat visitors

Many repeat international visitors specifically request Bantry Bay because of its quieter, more residential feel.

One of the biggest differences between the two suburbs is the number of Airbnb properties available.

Camps Bay has one of the largest concentrations of Airbnb properties in South Africa.

This creates

• Strong guest demand
• High visibility on booking platforms
• Greater competition
• Increased pressure during low season
• More direct competition between similar properties

While premium properties continue to perform exceptionally well, owners face more competition from neighbouring villas and apartments.

Bantry Bay is far more limited. There are simply fewer properties available for short-term rental.

This scarcity often works in favour of owners because:

• Guests have fewer alternatives
• Premium properties stand out more easily
• Competition is lower
• Rates can remain stronger during shoulder seasons
• Larger villas are particularly difficult to replace

This is one of the key reasons why some Bantry Bay properties achieve exceptional returns.

Generally speaking, Bantry Bay tends to achieve higher average nightly rates for comparable luxury properties.

The combination of exclusivity, ocean views, privacy and limited supply often allows owners to command a premium.

However, Camps Bay offers greater diversity.

You will find:

• Luxury villas
• Family homes
• Mid-range apartments
• Entry-level holiday accommodation

This broader range creates opportunities for more types of investors.

While Camps Bay often achieves higher occupancy, we have found that exceptional Bantry Bay properties can outperform similar Camps Bay properties from a revenue perspective.

This is especially true for:

• Larger villas
• Properties with 4+ bedrooms
• Homes with expansive entertainment areas
• Properties offering complete privacy
• Villas with uninterrupted ocean views

These properties appeal to affluent families and groups who are often willing to pay a significant premium for exclusivity.

Occupancy is often where Camps Bay has an advantage. Its global recognition and beachfront lifestyle attract a larger volume of travellers throughout the year.

Properties that are well positioned and professionally managed often benefit from:

• Strong summer demand
• Consistent international enquiries
• Broad appeal across guest demographics
• High visibility on Airbnb and Booking.com

Bantry Bay may see fewer enquiries overall, but often attracts a higher-spending guest profile.

The strongest performers are typically:

• Modern villas with pools
• Family-friendly homes
• Properties within walking distance of the beach
• Homes with entertainment areas and ocean views

Location is critical.
Being able to walk to the beachfront can significantly impact performance.

The strongest performers are typically:

• Luxury villas
• Large family homes
• Apartments with exceptional views
• Properties offering privacy and outdoor living
• Homes with multiple entertainment spaces

In our experience, properties with more bedrooms and generous entertainment areas often achieve particularly strong results in Bantry Bay.
Because supply is limited, larger homes frequently attract high-value bookings from families and groups who specifically want the exclusivity the suburb offers.

One of Bantry Bay’s most underrated strengths is its protection from Cape Town’s south-easterly wind.

Visitors often arrive expecting sunny days by the pool, only to discover that some areas of Cape Town can be extremely windy during summer.

Bantry Bay’s sheltered position makes outdoor living significantly more enjoyable on many days when neighbouring suburbs experience stronger winds.

This is a major reason why many experienced visitors and returning guests actively seek accommodation in Bantry Bay. For guests spending significant amounts on a luxury holiday, the ability to comfortably enjoy outdoor living spaces, pools and terraces can be a deciding factor.

• First-time Cape Town visitor
• Beach-focused traveller
• Families
• Groups of friends
• International tourists
• Guests wanting restaurants and nightlife nearby

• Returning Cape Town visitor
• High-net-worth traveller
• Privacy-focused guest
• Longer-stay visitor
• Luxury traveller
• Guests prioritising peace and exclusivity

Understanding these guest profiles can help owners make better investment decisions.

Having worked with luxury villas and premium apartments across the Atlantic Seaboard, we have found that there is no universal winner.
Camps Bay remains one of Cape Town’s most reliable short-term rental markets due to its international appeal, broad demand and strong occupancy levels.

However, Bantry Bay frequently surprises owners with its ability to achieve exceptional nightly rates, particularly when the property offers space, privacy, ocean views and multiple bedrooms.

Some of the highest-performing properties we have encountered are not necessarily the closest to the beach or located in the busiest areas. Instead, they offer a unique combination of exclusivity, comfort, lifestyle and scarcity that guests struggle to find elsewhere.
For owners of exceptional villas, Bantry Bay’s limited supply can be a significant competitive advantage.