In this section you will find information and useful links to local attractions and amenities:
select from the links below:
beaches
walks
golf
wine farms
game reserves
whale watching
retail therapy
restaurants
Beaches
false bay
The largest true bay in South Africa, False Bay's coastline is approximately 30 kilometres long. False Bay lies on the Indian Ocean and therefore is blessed by much warmer seas than the Atlantic coastal side of the peninsula making for pleasant bathing on its abundant beaches.Bikini Beach
Seven South African beaches have been awarded international Blue Flag status in the Western Cape and the white sandy Bikini Beach is one of these. Known to be particularly well protected from the wind and ideal for swimming, the beachfront promenade is lined with popular fish restaurants, pubs and coffee shops and in the old harbour, one can book boat trips or deep sea fishing trips in the False Bay.The Strand
The Strand offers a long stretch of sandy beach with safe and shallow waters ideal for children. Surfing, fishing, water-skiing and windsurfing are very popular at the Strand Beach. This is a safe surfing spot and the waves are relatively small; ideal for those just starting out! The beaches have a promenade lined with cafes, restaurants and shops as well as an entertainment area with crazy golf, a water slide, tidal pool and heated Olympic-sized swimming pool.Kogel Bay
Kogel Bay (pronounced cool bay) is just around the corner from Bikini Beach, essentially for surfers but has a long stretch of white sand and a couple of exciting caves.Gordon's Bay
Gordon's Bay, regarded as one of the safest swimming beaches, has wonderful sheltered rock pools great for exploring and paddling.back to top
Walks
Danie Miller Trail
Take a leisurely walk above the village on the Danie Miller Hiking Trail. This path traces the foot of the mountains at Gordon's Bay offering splendid views of False Bay and Helderberg. The trail takes one from Aurora Drive to the landmark Gordon's Bay anchor on the mountain slope.Sir Lowry's Pass
The entrance to the route is on the N2 on Sir Lowry's Pass. From here, the trail heads off through mountain fynbos, rugged mountain scenery and pine plantations, ending at Nuweberg.Steenbras Trail
Access from Gordon's Bay on the scenic Clarence Drive at Steenbras River mouth. Permits are required for this walk in the mountain and coastal catchment area covered with pine plantations. Steenbras Dam and River Gorge both trail down to the coast. The trail is classified as a moderate to difficult walk.back to top
golf
Cape Town boasts some of the greatest golf courses in the world that attract international recognition and have become very popular with golf enthusiasts around the globe. We are fortunate enough to be within easy reach of a few of the best the Cape has to offer, namely:
erinvale
The Erinvale Golf Club is a private 18 hole championship golf course and has fast become renowned throughout the golfing world. Erinvale hosted the 1996 World Cup of Golf, where thirty-two participating nations competed and it currently hosts the annual SAA Open.arabella
Voted the number two golf course in South Africa and the top golf course in the Western Cape, the Arabella Golf Club – home to the Nelson Mandela Invitational – stretches through rolling fairways, deceptive bunkers and challenging water traps. A truly unique golf course set on the banks of the Bot River lagoon and fringed by indigenous fynbos.stellenbosch golf course
The Stellenbosch Golf Course is one of the best golf courses in South Africa. This championship course which hosted, among other tournaments, the South African Masters and South African Open, will test your golfing skills. Stellenbosch lies in the centre of the fertile and very scenic wine growing area of the Cape, less than an hour's drive out of Cape Town. With its numerous diligently restored buildings in the Cape Dutch style and its renowned university, it is one of the most attractive travel destinations at the Cape. Just as rewarding is a visit to the town's exclusive golf course situated just out of town amid vineyards.back to top
wine farms
In the heart of the Western Cape Wine Route, Somerset West and Helderberg offers some very fine wine touring opportunities including: the impressive Vergelegen and Lourensford wine estates. Only 15 scenic minutes of driving takes you onto the famous Stellenbosch Wine Route where you can taste fine wines in magnificent settings.vergelegen
Vergelegen, with its magnificent backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, is an ideal place to visit during your stay. Visitors can admire the ancient Camphor Trees (declared National Monuments in 1942), wander through the Octagonal and Rose Gardens and view the Library.A stroll through the superb Octagonal Garden and Homestead leads to the Lady Phillips Tea Garden where teas and lunches are served on a daily basis. Al fresco lunches are also served at the Rose Terrace.
franschhoek
franschhoek is considered as one of the premier destinations in the World of Wine. Indeed, this fertile ground is where the French first made wine in South Africa 300 years ago. Franschhoek offers 43 wine farms, including some of South Africa's most respected names.All the noble cultivars and classic styles are on show here. From superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc to the rich reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. And most farms readily welcome visitors for tastings.
lourensford estate
the lourensford estate, established in the year 1700, is fast-becoming one of the biggest wine estates in South Africa with over 300 hectares of vines already planted. The farm is situated in a prime position surrounded by elegant neighbours such as Erinvale Golf Estate, Fleur du Cap Wine Estate and Vergelegen farm, and is a melting pot of Cape history Well-known brands include Lourensford, Lourensford Five Heirs, Lanzerac and Eden Crest.) Lourensford Estate has a brand new wine cellar utilising technology unique in the Southern Hemisphere. On the Estate is a restaurant, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or visitors can choose to picnic on the lawn.back to top
game reserves
fairy glen
fairy glen is Africa's most southerly based Big Five Safari. In addition to the Big Five the reserve also hosts other species including wildebeest, crocodile, giraffe, bontebok, hartebeest, zebra, springbok, klipspringer, oryx, nyala, steenbok, jackals, lynx, rhebok, baboon and others.shamwari
shamwari game reserve is a private game reserve situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It has received numerous international awards, including the World's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve for five consecutive years. It is situated along the Bushmans River, between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown, a pleasant drive from Cape Town, forming a natural extension to the famous Garden Route. Here the graceful leopard, the powerful rhino, elephant and hippo, share the domain with kudu, gemsbuck, wildebeest, zebra, hyena and a large variety of smaller game, as well as a paradise of bird, reptile and plant life.Aquila
aquila private game reserve in South Africa is situated on 4 500 hectares of Southern Karoo Highlands. Khoi San Rock art is seen during game drives. There is a Cheetah enclosure, and guests are permitted to enter two at a time, accompanied by a guide. Animals found on the Reserve are, Rhino, Buffalo, Giraffe, Lion, Zebra, Black and Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Warthog, Eland, Springbok, Blesbok, Ostriches, Gemsbok, Hippo, Crocodile and other indigenous game.back to top
whale watching
Gordon's Bay and False Bay has it's fair share of Whale sightings. Guests who are staying during the whale watching season can drive along Clarence Drive, the scenic coastal road between Gordon's Bay and Betty's Bay, where they can see some of the best designated whale watching spots on the coast. However, the seaside resort of Hermanus in Walker Bay offers the best whale viewing from land in the world and is only an hour and a quarter drive from Gordon's Bay.
A cliff path stretching from one side of the town to the other runs alongside the coastline for about 12 km giving tourists unlimited opportunities to stand within 20 metres of whales in the coves below or just beyond the breakers. The whale seen most frequently in the Walker Bay area is the Southern Right Whale, but other species do make an appearance occasionally.
The whales start arriving in July in order to calve and to mate in the shallow water. Peak time for whales at any one time is October, but many can still be seen in November, tailing off in December. Humpbacks migrate through the region between May and December each year, while Bryde's whales are found slightly futher offshore all year round.
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retail therapy
Cape Town is an affordable shopping destination with a wide variety of goods on offer. From hand-crafted jewellery, traditional African art and curios to designer labels and diamonds, whatever you want to purchase, you are sure to be able to find it in Cape Town's shopping scene.
Attractions