False Bay - Cape Town
False Bay - Cape Town
False Bay is a body of water defined by Cape Hangklip and the Cape Peninsula in the extreme South-West of South Africa. It's name came from sailors who over 300 years ago confused the bay with Table Bay to the north. The confusion arose because sailors returning from the east initially confused Cape Point and Cape Hangklip, which are somewhat similar in form. Cape Hangklip was known to the early Portuguese seafarers as Cabo Falso, which means False Cape, and the name of the bay was therefore derived from this.
Known for its scenic beauty, False Bay encompasses the small seaside villages from Hangklip, near Pringle Bay, to Cape Point. It has one of the Cape Peninsulas most tranquil and picturesque stretches of coastline. The bay is popular with surfers, swimmers, bodyboarders and anyone who enjoys peace and quiet and the fresh sea air. Towns along the False Bay coastline offer a multitude of arts and craft shops, fantastic restaurants and bars, cute and quirky coffee shops, and quiet look-out points.
Whales abound on the False Bay coastline and every year between June and November, southern right whales migrate to the Western Cape waters to calve and nurse their newborns, while humpback whales journey through the region between May and December. Thousands of local and international visitors flock to False Bay to experience these amazing whale-watching opportunities, where the creatures are often seen metres from the shore. And it is not uncommon to spot whales only metres from the road while driving along the coastal route.
Nature reserves, including Cape of Good Hope, Rondevlei and Silvermine, offer the opportunity of walking among the rich biodiversity of the Cape Peninsula, which includes indigenous fynbos. But some of the other ways to relax along the False Bay coastline, while enjoying the stunning scenery, are playing a round or two of golf at either the Westlake, Clovelly or Simon's Town golf courses, or sampling a few wines along the Cape Point Wine Route. There is also the experience of sharing Boulders Beach with its local inhabitants, the African penguins.
Some of the most popular small towns along the False Bay coastline include the historical naval village of Simon's Town, Muizenberg with its popular water slides, St James with its colourful huts, Kalk Bay with great seafood restaurants and Fish Hoek with one of the best beaches in the Cape.
False Bay has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, damp winters. In winter gales and storms from the northwest are common and can be ferocious. False Bay is exposed to south easterly winds in summer and its waters are approximately 6°C warmer than those of Table Bay, because of the influence of the warm Agulhas Current.
Accommodation Near False Bay - Cape Town
Aqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town
17.8km from False Bay - Cape TownAqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse is situated in the quiet suburb of Murdock Valley in Simon's Town and offers accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis.Situated in a prime position 5 minutes from the beach, this landmark house overlooks the entire False …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Boulders Beach Hotel, Cafe and Curios
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Boulders
18.8km from False Bay - Cape TownBoulders Beach Hotel is Boulders, Simon's Town is situated just 70 meters from the World Heritage Site of Boulders Beach renowned for it's breeding African Penguin Colony. This is one of the 'must see' recommendations for tourists visiting Cape Town. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Mariner Guesthouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town
20.1km from False Bay - Cape TownCustom built on the mountainside in historical Simon's Town, award-winning Mariner Guesthouse offers breathtaking sea views across False Bay. We are within walking distance of restaurants and beaches, and pride ourselves on offering style... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Chartfield Guesthouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Cape Town
21.4km from False Bay - Cape TownChartfield Guesthouse in kalk Bay evokes the spirit of a time when everything was done with a little more style and with a lot more attention to detail. It's a haven created to whisk you away from the cares of the world the moment you step inside... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
The Blue Marine Luxury Self Catering
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Gordon's Bay
21.4km from False Bay - Cape TownThe Blue Marine provides luxury self catering accommodation in Gordons bay, Cape Town. The apartment offers uninterrupted sea views, magical sunsets, private balcony, secure automated parking. Just for the ultimate pleasure whether it be on vacation or bu …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Cape Sands C2
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Strand
21.5km from False Bay - Cape TownThis apartment (sleeps 6) is located across the road from the beach in Beach Road Strand. Newly build, upmarket and luxurious 3 bedroom apartment in security complex. Uninterrupted sea views from it's front row position. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
De Beers Holiday Apartment
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Strand
21.6km from False Bay - Cape TownThis fantastic self-catering apartment 200m from the beach has 4 double bedrooms, seaview from main bedroom, 2 1/2 bathrooms (main en-suite), has a fully equipped kitchen, livingroom, TV, garden, braai facilities, garage. Also close to Cape Town... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
302 Ocean View
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Strand
21.7km from False Bay - Cape Town302 Ocean View is a Self Catering Apartment situated front-row overlooking the Strand beach in Cape Town. Situated in prime position on Strand's Beach Road, the luxury Ocean View apartment offers spectacular sea views. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Moonglow Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town
21.7km from False Bay - Cape TownMoonglow Guest House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Glencairn, on the slopes of the Simon's Town Mountains overlooking False Bay.There are 6 well appointed ensuite bedrooms all with seaviews. 4 rooms have queen beds and all rooms have... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Blake's Terrace 004
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Strand
21.7km from False Bay - Cape TownBlake's Terrace is one of the most sought after blocks on the Strand beach front. This "honeymoon" apartment overlooks manicured lawns and miles of beautiful beach. Incredible sunsets and views across to Table Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- Seal Island - False Bay, Cape Town (10.34km)
- Wolfgat Nature Reserve (15.34km)
- Strandfontein Beach & Tidal Pool - Strandfontein, Cape Town (15.91km)
- Millers Point Tidal Pool - Cape Peninsula, Cape Town (16.32km)
- Partridge Point - Cape Peninsula, Cape Town (16.50km)
- Smitswinkel Bay Beach - Cape Town (17.69km)
- Macassar Dunes Reserve - Cape Flats, Cape Town (17.99km)
- Fishermans Beach - Simon's Town, Cape Town (18.32km)
- Windmill Beach - Simon's Town, Cape Town (18.38km)
- Roman Rock Lighthouse - Simon's Town, Cape Town (18.39km)
- Mitchells Plain Festival - Mitchells Plain, Cape Town (18.47km)
- Westridge Gardens (18.47km)
- Boulders Beach Penguin Colony - Simon's Town (19.06km)
- Cape Point Ostrich Farm (19.07km)
- Cape Point Lighthouse - Cape Peninsula (19.45km)
- Cape Point - Cape Town, Western Cape (19.46km)
- Seaforth Beach - Simon's Town, Cape Town (19.50km)
- The Cape Town International Kite Festival (19.69km)
- Cape of Good Hope Old Lighthouse (19.75km)
- Flying Dutchman Funicular - Cape Point (19.80km)
