Local attractions

In a region of such rich cultural and natural beauty the list of things to do is almost endless. Besides the well known tourist must do's, we can point you toward some local secrets. Being seventh generation Capetonians we know the area intimately. We can give good advice on weather to match your choices – quite often there are sheltered parts when others can be quite unpleasant due to high winds or rough seas. Our local knowledge can help you.

Please note that the baboons around the roads of the Cape Peninsula have unfortunately come to associate humans with food. Do not ever feed them as it habituates them to people. They are very clever and generally fearless, especially of women and children. Treat them with caution. Some baboon troops have figured out how to open car doors, particularly those around Miller's point, so keep your doors locked when amongst them!

Horse Riding on Noordhoek Beach
Besides being excellent for walking and surfing, Noordhoek beach is accessible to horses and there is a local stable that takes out-rides to the beach and to the adjoining wetlands. Contact Sleepy Hollow Horse rides for more information at 021 789 2341.

Cape Point Nature Reserve
This area is so much more than just a visit to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, as spectacular as they are. It is really worthwhile getting up early to get in the gate when it opens. Take a quiet wander along the secluded beaches, where you are likely to bump into Bontebok, Eland or Ostrich and enjoy a large variety of seabird life and fascinating rock pools. There are also guided walks along some fascinating parts of the reserve.

Boulders Beach
Where else in the world can you swim with penguins? The African penguins settled in this area fairly recently and are spreading themselves along the coast. This is the only mainland colony of these penguins around our coast. The rest of the rookeries are on offshore islands. Take a picnic with you or you can eat at the restaurant up the road. Boulders beach is sheltered from the summer south-easterly trade winds. It can get very crowded as it is only a tiny beach, so arrive early. Try to avoid high tide as the beach shrinks alarmingly! It's worth taking goggles and snorkel to watch the penguins fly underwater, as well as to observe the beautiful kelp forests and soft corals and urchins of our coastline in the sheltered waters around boulders

Kalk Bay Harbour
This is one of the few working fishing harbours left around our coast. There is usually fresh fish, straight off the boat, for sale when the wind is not too strong or when it is blowing anything between south west and north easterly. Kalk Bay harbour provides a real taste of old Cape Town, with some colorful language thrown in for free! The seals are usually around the harbour and are wonderful to watch. Beware walking down the harbour wall if the sea is up. There are some excellent food establishments in the harbour, from very smart to great fish and chips spots. There is more detail in our local food guide.

Winelands
We are blessed by a huge variety of wine farms, sufficient to keep the keenest oenophile going for years! Our local wine routes include the oldest wineries in the country, which have been producing wine for over 350 years. Try Groot and Klein Constantia, Buitenverwagting and Steenberg. All produce excellent whites and reds. Or take a daytrip to a number of excellent wine farms in Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek, Somerset West, Elgin, Hermanus, and over the mountains towards Worcester and beyond.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
If shopping is your thing then this is the spot. Also in the area are some other worthwhile attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium , a favorite with the children, or helicopter rides if you have a bit of spare cash to blow after your shopping spree. Or you can indulge in high tea at the 6 star “One and Only” hotel, or the equally sumptuous Cape Grace, to experience the elegance of the Cape at prices that will not break the bank.

Chapmans Peak Drive
This is one of the world's truly great scenic drives. Opened in the 1920s this road was recently tolled, to the concern of locals. Take a picnic and watch the restless ocean at sunset, or park on the road and walk up Chapmans Peak itself. In winter it is an excellent place to watch the whales in Hout Bay . The whales are worth a visit on their own and if you want to learn something more about them I can strongly advise my brother's wonderful book entitled “The Whales of Walker Bay” (by Noel Ashton at local bookstores or visit www.oceansofafrica.co.za). You will learn a lot about these gentle oceanic giants that you would not get to find out otherwise!

Walking Tour of Cape Town
This is how you can get to find out about the 400 year old colonial history of the City of Cape Town. The City Centre is pretty compact and a walking tour is a most interesting way to get to learn some of the more interesting facts of this tavern of the seas. You can find out where the shoreline used to be, where slaves were lodged and where criminals were hung – at Gallows Hill of course! There are other far less gruesome or salubrious details, but we shan't spoil your fun..........

To head off the beaten track try.......

Silvermine Nature Reserve
This is a wonderful place to hike, braai, swim and just relax. There are some stunning walks, with everything from easy level walks to challenging day hikes to the top of Constantia Peak. If you don't feel like walking you can simply sit alongside the old Silvermine reservoir that used to supply water to the area but is now a local summer haven. The reserve is a five minute drive from Ekogaia Cottages. Please see the note below on advice for hiking on our mountains.

Masiphumelele Tours
The local township. Masiphumelele, is pretty laid back as far as townships go and you will get a good insight into this community from this tour. These tours are run by the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) which works in getting locals onto bikes. 021 671 4655 E-Mail: andrew@benbikes.org.za

Fishing out of Kalk Bay or Simonstown
There are charters running out of both of these ports. You can either go game fishing off Cape Point or you can go out with the real fishermen from Kalk bay and see how hard the life the life of a traditional line fisherman is, unchanged for hundreds of years except for the luxury of engines. At least you won't have to row!

Kayak Tour from Simonstown
Depending on weather, you can take a leisurely paddle up towards Cape Point, checking out the penguins at sea. If you are really lucky you may spot some dolphins, whales or maybe even one of the really rare big game finds here, the great white shark! It will make your day! (Or ruin your year, depending on the outcome of the encounter.)
Call 082 501 8930 or email tours@kayakcapetown.co.za

Oceanic pelagic bird tours
Still on an ocean theme, it is worthwhile to take a tour to observe our pelagic oceanic bird life. You may see the magnificent wandering albatross, a true globe trotter or several of their relatives. These tours run out of Simons Town and more information is available from 082 460 8280

Dive with Great White Sharks
Chris and Monique Fallows are well recognised and regarded in the shark world for their photographs of breaching great white sharks chasing seals in False Bay. You can join them to dive with the sharks or to go offshore and dive with sharks in the open ocean off Cape Point, a most worthwhile experience. Contact them on 82 364 2738 or webmaster@apexpredators.com

Surfing
Muizenberg is the spot to learn to surf. There are excellent surf coaches to get you going, so even if you are a complete grom (beginner) you can go and catch a wave and hang ten after a few days of fooling around in the warm False Bay water. Good exercise, great people and lots of fun! And you will get fit! Contact Gary at Gary's Surf School at 021 788 9839 or cell 083 324 5110 or email at gary@garysurf.co.za

Caving
There is an extensive cave system on the mountain above Kalk Bay. It is reached by an hour's walk through some spectacular fynbos and offers some excellent caving experiences. It is suggested that unless you are a keen spelunker that you take an experienced guide to prevent you getting both hurt and lost. See note below!!

Mountain Walks / Hiking
A word of warning about walking our mountains. Do not be lulled into complacency. Although the mountains are surrounded by the city the weather can change in a flash from steaming hot to freezing cold with zero visibility. Deaths and injury occur regularly on the mountain range. If you are going hiking tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Make sure of your routes and do not attempt routes beyond your capability. Take warm clothing, even in the middle of summer and wear good shoes. Take sufficient food and water. Make sure there is one fully charged cellphone with your party. And finally take only photographs and leave only your footprints. Carry out all rubbish.

Shopping
There are two local malls, Sun Valley Mall and Longbeach Mall, offering most things one needs. The town of Fish Hoek has a good variety of shops and even has an old fashioned department store, with modern fashions. Its our local little Harrods, and is called A. P. Jones. If you have any unusual shopping needs please chat to us and we can probably help you locate the item.

Restaurants (All ratings out of three stars.)

The Foodbarn ***
Run by award winning chef Franck Dangereux, this is a classy but casual and affordable restaurant with stunning fare. It offers a variety of breakfasts and lunches and is open in the evenings (booking essential) Tuesday to Saturday and lunch every day.

They have a separate bakery/ deli with great croissants, specialty breads, and other treats.

Cafe Roux *
A good choice for casual alfresco dining. Open for breakfast and lunch, and sometimes in the evening. There are some excellent breakfasts and a huge menu to choose from. Either sit under the oaks or the tent in summer or next to the fire inside during the colder months.

The Toad in the Village *
Two dining areas: downstairs is a restaurant. Upstairs is a pub with pub meals prepared downstairs, offering both variety and value.

The Red Herring and Skebangas pub *
One of the best pubs in the world with great views and pizzas. A local hangout. Live music on Sunday nights. Downstairs enjoy the rather more refined dining at the Red Herring restaurant, with hosts Rob and Boris, at this local institution.

Thorfynns **
At Monkey Valley Resort. Spectacular views and good food in a cozy ambiance. While pricey there is some great food, especially their vegetarian foods and free range meat.

At the local mall…

Spur *
Predictably average steakhouse based fare. Good value. Jumping castle, computer games and crayons for the kids.

Ocean Basket *
Another national chain. If you want seafood this busy, vibey eatery offers good value and service

Fresh Stop *
Fruit salads, sandwiches, smoothies and more healthy fast foods.

Mug n Bean
Yet another national chain. Good coffee and muffins. Popular for breakfast.

Wimpy
National chain of hamburger, sandwich fast food joints.

MacDonalds
Should not be on this list as it does not really qualify as proper food, but thats just my opinion!