On this page you will find information on destinations and attractions on the Cape Peninsula's eastern shoreline. For an overview of the whole Peninsula, click here. To view information on the western side of Cape Peninsula, click here.

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

Cape Point, the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula.

The southern part of the Cape Peninsula is a conservation area, managed as the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. It has a variety of antelope, amongst others the biggest antelope in South Africa - the Eland. The Reserve also provides a safe haven for big troops of baboon.

At Cape Point, the southern extreme of the Reserve, you can either take a path or funicular to the lighthouse on the top of the ridge. From there one has a great view over False Bay and on a clear day you can see right across the Bay to Hangklip which marks the other end of the Bay approx. 30 km away. For more information on the Reserve click here.

Smitswinkelbaai
The tiny village of Smitswinkelbaai lies just below a scenic coastal drive linking Simon's Town to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Smitswinkelbaai is located on private non-municipal land and the residents protect their privacy fiercely.

Most tourists are content to marvel at the town from the roadside above. Its located in a valley, offers beautiful ocean views onto False Bay and features a tiny sand beach. The only way to enter the town and reach the beach is by means of a footpath from the coastal road, the village doesn't have any roads.

Miller's Point
Miller's Point, ±2km south of Simon's Town, offers a couple of small sandy coves and a tidal pool. It also has a campsite and caravan park. The Black Marlin seafood restaurant is a popular venue for lovers of ocean cuisine. The area has various small rocky promontories, which are frequented by lizards and Dassies.

A submerged wreck off Miller's Point is a popular dive spot for scuba divers although best explored in the company of someone familiar with the local seas and conditions.

Boulders Penguin Colony
The colony of approx. 3000 breading pairs of Jackass (African) Penguins are found just outside Simons Town at Boulders Beach. The Penguins started breading there naturally even though it is a residential area. In recent years the authorities have instituted some measures to protect the birds against negative human impact without impeding one's ability to get close to these amazing creatures.

Visitors are allowed to venture through the colony's breeding area on raised boardwalks while hundreds of Penguins walk past as if its the most natural thing for a bunch of humans with cameras at the ready to hang around in their neighbourhood.

For more on Boulders and its penguins, click here.

Simon's Town
Simon's Town is home to the headquarters of the South African Navy. It features a medium sized harbour and at times a number of warships although they are off-bounds to tourists. The town has a collection of small museums, a couple of shops, some very nice restaurants and various accommodation options.

Simon's Town's beaches are not that great compared to what is on offer elsewhere along the Peninsula's shoreline, but if you are staying in town they offer good relaxation. For tourists the town's biggest draw card is its close proximity to both the Boulders Penguin Colony and The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

For more on Simon's Town, click here.

Fish Hoek
Fish Hoek is home to arguably the best family beach in greater Cape Town. It features an unpretentious crowd, wide sand beach, ample parking, an informal seafood restaurant (Fish Hoek Galley Seafood Restaurant), refreshment stalls and changing rooms. Best of all it has some of the safest and warmest water in the whole of greater Cape Town.

The town's other attraction is Jager Walk, a coastal pathway that runs along the rocky coastline linking it to Simon's Town ±7km south. In season it is a good way of searching for whale sightings as the giants come very close to shore here.

Boyes Drive
Boyes Drive, a mountainside shortcut road that cuts out Kalk Bay, St. James and Muizenberg to or from Cape Town, happens to be very scenic as well. Its height makes it one of the best places to get a 180deg view of False Bay. Its also a good vantage point for whale-watching in season.

Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay's main attraction is the small-vessel Kalk Bay Harbour where Capetonians go to buy fresh fish as colourful wooden fishing vessels return to harbour. Snoek is the big favourite, especially at weekend braai's. The village has a distinctly down to earth feel.

A selection of small coffee shops and restaurants as well as other shops are close by. Some of the dining venues offer sea views. The Brass Bell Restaurant situated on the harbour wall in the station building, pounded by waves, is one of Kalk Bay's biggest attractions and one of the few restaurants along the Peninsula where you can actually sit next to the sea.

St. James

Brightly coloured Victorian bathing boxes at St. James Beach near Cape Town.

The village of St. James is tucked in between Kalk Bay and Muizenberg on the northern False Bay coastline. It is located along a rather rocky stretch of shoreline. There's not much sand at the village beach and ocean swimming is not really recommended. Its tidal pool is however quite popular, especially if you have toddlers. At high tide waves crashing over the sea wall at the far end of the pool provides for some excitement. The main feature of the beach is a collection of brightly coloured Victorian-style bathing boxes (change rooms). They, and those at the nearby Muizenberg, future regularly in Cape Town photographic essays. The small beach tends to be a little overcrowded on weekends and public holidays, it is best avoided at these times.

A paved one-kilometre coastal footpath, providing nice views of False Bay, runs along the ocean between St. James and Muizenberg.

Muizenberg
Muizenberg marks the end of the Cape Point to False Bay stretch of villages along the Cape Peninsula's eastern shoreline. Of these villages Muizenberg is the closest to Cape Town.

While the town offers a limited offering of shops, coffee shops and restaurants - mostly in its main road or close to the beachfront - its main attraction is its sand beach. Muizenberg Beach is popular with families, especially those with toddlers. It also features brightly coloured Victorian-style bathing boxes (changing rooms), similar to those at the nearby St. James.

Muizenberg beach marks the beginning of a 40km sand belt along the northern shore of False Bay, which extends all the way to Gordon's Bay. Apart from families, the beach is also popular with novice surfers. A scenic coastal path runs ±1km along the rocky coastline between Muizenberg and St. James.

For more on Muizenberg, click here.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town is one of South Africa's top 20 tourist attractions. While it is not on the Peninsula's shoreline we do include it on this page as it normally forms part of a Cape Peninsula day-tour.

Cecil John Rhodes originally donated the Garden to the residents of Cape Town. Its setting in the shade of Devil's Peak and its vast array of plant species make it quite special. Amongst others it has a section especially for the blind focusing on herbal plants with its qualities relating to touch and aroma. The Garden's myriad of paths link up with hiking trials that run almost the full length of the Table Mountain range. There's also a very pleasant tea garden and restaurant on the premises.

For more info on the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, click here.

(For an overview of the whole Cape Peninsula, click here. For information on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, click here.)