GORDON'S BAY

A popular fishing harbour and holiday resort. Bikini Beach, small but sheltered from the wind, is popular with holiday-makers. The scenic Steenbras Dam lies at the top of the Hottentots Holland range, only a few kilometres from Gordon's Bay. Developed as a major recreational area, it also offers recreational facilities and trout fishing. A lovely coastal drive may be made from Gordon's Bay to Koegel Bay, Pringle Bay, Kleinmond, Hermanus and back over Sir Lowry's Pass.

 GORDON'S BAY HARBOUR
HARBOUR WITH HOTTENTOTS
HOLLAND MOUNTAINS
A WAVE APPROACHING BIKINI BEACH
BELOW THE HARBOUR BREAK WATER
BIKINI BEACH

  

    Gordon's Bay is a beautiful harbour village situated on the False Bay coast. Beneath the heights of the Hottentots Hollands mountains is the fishing harbour and yacht marina of this pleasant holiday centre of the eastern sector of False Bay. There are two beaches here: Bikini which is well-sheltered and Main beach  popular for watersports. A path links the two beaches. Basic facilities. Numerous cafes and restaurants close to both beaches, fishing. This is the home of the South African Naval College.

Things to do:
Yacht Charters from the Harbour; Fishing + Hiking: The Mayor's Walk; The Cannon & Wagon Tracks; Boland Hiking Trail.
Sea Trips and and Fishing Trips

SIMON'S TOWN

 Headquarters of the South African Navy. Named after Governor Simon van der Stel and used as winter anchorage since 1741. The quaint village of Simon's Town situated on the False Bay coast a leisurely 30-minute drive from Cape Town, has managed to preserve its historic character of naval tradition and history. An ideal holiday resort with scenic walks, bird life, fishing, boating and swimming at many famous beaches ... for the complete holiday ... relax in Simon's Town. The main street, known as Historical Mile, contains 21 buildings more than 150 years old.

 Sign board * St. George Street * Statue of "Just Nuisance" * Aerial view of Simon's Town /1994/

 

Places of interest:

Able Seaman Just Nuisance: A bronze statue of the famous dog in Jubilee Square, the mascot of sailors stationed at Simonstown.
Simon's Town Museum: A large variety of exhibits showing the history of Simon's Town and its involvement with the naval port and dockyard.
Admiralty House: Built in 1740, in Cape-Dutch style.
Train Trip: The railway line follows the coastline between Simon's Town and Muizenberg and offers magnificent views.
Also: En route to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Mineral World & Topstones, SA Naval Museum, Treasure Coast Art Route,
 

FISH HOEK

 One of the many popular seaside resorts along the peninsula with a fine safe bathing beach. Especially frequented by old and young windsurfers and catamaran sailors. On the other side of the beach is a popular Hobie Cat launching spot where regular regattas offer a colourful spectacle for visitors. A stipulation laid down in 1818 by Lord Charles Somerset (who also declared free fishing rights for all) in the original grant of the land that no public house be kept on the farm has been strictly adhered to. The sale of liquor is prohibited in Fish Hoek. The only teetotal town in the country. 

Peer's Cave. A rock shelter named after the man who discovered the so-called Fishhoek Man, estimated to be about 15 000 years old. 

A lovely spot for bathing. Cape Peninsula, South Africa.

CAPE BEACHES

The choice of beaches in the Cape Peninsula is vast (more than 100 to choose from) but to make it easier each beach is unique, offering something to suit every beachgoer. There are family beaches, beaches for suntanning, snorkelling, boardsailing, surfing, fishing and for swimming! There is also an unofficial beach for nudists at Sandy Bay.

• Hout Bay >> http://theworldofpostcards.blogspot.com/2014/10/HOUTBAY.html

• Muizenberg  >>  http://theworldofpostcards.blogspot.com/2014/11/MUIZENBERG.html

• Bloubergstrand >> http://theworldofpostcards.blogspot.com/2014/11/BLOUBERGSTRAND.html

Cape Town's Beaches.  The fun of surf, sand and sun together with magnificent scenery on a picturesque shoreline

• Sandy Bay - Well-known unofficial nudist beach. The beach is backed by steep sand dunes and bushy mountain slopes. Poorly protected from the south-easter wind, Sandy Bay has no access roads, shops or facilities.

• St. James - Named after the first church built here, in 1874, this is a charming village, with beautiful holiday houses, residences and a small, sheltered beach and a large tidal pool ideal for toddlers. Characterised by its parade of brightly coloured bathing boxes. There is a cafe on the main road.

• Clifton - Four sheltered beaches seperated by enormous granite boulders. Cold for swimming, but noted for bikini-clad sun-bathers. Many houses are built on stilts or on overhanging cliffs. The area between the sea and Victoria Road is a scenic and botanic reserve. Cape Town's most glamorous beach packed in season with consequent parking problems.

Received from Lynne, Cape Town

MUIZENBERG

At the north-west end of False Bay, cradled between the sea and high mountains, this famous seaside resort boasts a magnificent 35-km stretch of beach and a relatively warm surf. This sea is shallow, and bathing safe. The beach is distinctive with its rows of Victorian bathing boxes. Popular amongst families and young surfers, the pavilion at the beach also offers great fun and entertainment.

Cape Peninsula. A scene of the pavilion at this popular holiday resort.

Places of interest include:

1. De Post Huys. The original garrison building, one of the oldest surviving structures from settlement days. Built as a lookout post and signal station in 1673.
2. Rhodes Cottage. The cottage in which Cecil Rhodes died in 1902, maintained as a memorial museum. Contains many of his possessions and photographs.
3. The Natale Labia Museum contains fine furniture and works of art. 

Received from Lynne, Cape Town