Beach safety warning after Noordhoek Lagoon breakout [video]

Beachgoers have been warned to stay clear of a hazardous stretch of Noordhoek Beach in Cape Town after the nearby lagoon broke through to the sea.

South African National Parks (SANParks) issued an alert following a near-drowning incident reported earlier on the northern side of the beach, close to the car park.

Rescue crews from NSRI Kommetjie and Cape Medical Response were activated to assist with a casualty.

Authorities say the situation developed after the lagoon opened a channel to the ocean.

“The lagoon is reported to be wide, deep, and moving with considerable force as it channels toward the sea,” SANParks said.

Noordhoek lagoon breakout creates dangerous channel

Officials warned that the channel flowing toward the ocean is particularly dangerous while the tide is coming in.

The public has been urged to avoid the northern section of the beach, especially near the parking area.

SANParks also advised visitors not to cross the channel under any circumstances.

Children and pets should be kept well away from the water’s edge until conditions improve.

Why lagoon ‘breakouts’ happen

Coastal lagoons like the one behind Noordhoek Beach periodically break through the sand barrier separating them from the sea.

This usually happens when water levels rise after rainfall or runoff from surrounding wetlands and catchments.

It can also be triggered by high tides and strong wave action eroding the sand berm that seals the lagoon off from the ocean.

When the barrier gives way, the lagoon drains rapidly toward the sea, forming a deep channel with powerful currents. These fast-moving flows can make the shoreline extremely dangerous for swimmers and walkers while the breakout is active.