False Bay Coast
False Bay Coast
The entire coastline provides a cornucopia of outdoor options for all things related to sand, surf, sea, and mountains. This coast is a fashionable bathing area, as the water here is 5 - 7 C warmer than on the Atlantic Coast.
Hout Bay
This lovely beach at the foot of Chapmans Peak is a beautiful stretch of coastline for a windless day. This is a little fishing village and has a pleasant country atmosphere. It has great restaurants, luxury hotels, quaint Bed & Breakfasts and great outdoor activities, such as fishing, horse-riding, sea-kayaking and hiking. Take one of the many boat trips out in the Indian Ocean. Most trips from Hout Bay Harbor go to seal island. Once you get used to the smell, the hundreds of seals are actually quite cute. Carry on around this spectacular coast and get close-up to an enormous rusted ship-wreck.
Hout Bay's most famous mountain, 'The Sentinel' looks out over the venue for South Africa's Big Wave Surfing spot, 'Dungeons'. A 20 minute walk around the foot of The Sentinel will get you close enough to see and hear these monstrous swells crashing out at sea.
Visit the Hout Bay Gallery which showcases arts and sculptures by emerging and established artists and the Hout Bay Museum which depicts the history of Hout Bay and offers guided tours and also boasts a veldkos (indigenous) garden.
Fish Hoek
This is according to SA Lifesaving, one of the safest beaches in the country, and it allows for a range of activities from Hobie Cat sailing to surfing, paddling to endurance swimming, snorkeling to walking. A play park, restaurant and bistro will keep the family happy and well fed, and you can walk it off along Jager's Walk, a shoreline path stretching from Fish Hoek to Sunny Cove. The exhibits of the False Bay Fire Museum, a display of fire equipment old and new, local and imported can be viewed by appointment.
Speak to the local tourism office for the times of the train ride that runs between Fishhoek and Simonstown. It's a short but beautiful journey as the train never leaves the shores of the Indian Ocean. Winding its way along the sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, it covers the distance in around 30minutes one-way.
Muizenberg
Muizenberg is famed for its long, broad white sands and its rather old-fashioned charm. The coast is very popular with surfers and fishermen. Attractive features of St James are its gaily painted Victorian-type wooden bathing huts, its safe tidal pool, sheltered beach and rock pools bright with marine life. There is a very pleasant 3km walkway leading along the shoreline to Muizenberg. Points of interest en route include Rhodes Cottage and the Rust en Vrede mansion, designed by the celebrated architect Sir Herbert Baker in Cape Dutch Revival style. Die Posthuys, which is a white-washed c ottage, and Muizenberg railway station, are proclaimed national monuments.
Glencairn
A long sweep of beach with two tidal pools close by, this is popular with families. For birdwatchers, especially if the southeaster is howling, it is an ideal spot for watching from the comfort of one's car.
Simonstown
The substantial and handsome bay side centre is steeped in naval history; it was founded by and named after the energetic Cape governor, Simon van der Stel, in 1687. It's still very much a naval town but not exclusively so. Commercial and leisure craft crowd the harbor. Souvenir and craft shops abound. The local beaches are very exciting: Sea forth, Foxy beach and their surrounds, offer secluded stretches of sand and inlets. Boulders beach is famous for its colony of endangered and endearing jackass penguins.
Simonstown tourism offers a guided walk on Saturday mornings through the main street known as the Historical Mile that leaves from the railway station to finish up at East Dock Yard.
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