False Bay - Cape Town, Western Cape
False Bay - Cape Town, Western Cape
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, Western Cape
Aqua Terra Boutique Guesthouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town
13.6km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeAqua 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
14km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeBoulders 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.
Chartfield Guesthouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Cape Town
15km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeChartfield 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.
Mariner Guesthouse
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town
15.3km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeCustom 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.
Moonglow Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Simon's Town
16.1km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeMoonglow 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.
The Crags
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Fish Hoek
16.3km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeCome and stay in one of the original farm buildings in Fish Hoek, Cape Town within a stone's throw of the beach. This self catering apartment (sleeps 6) provides spacious, well-appointed, up-market accommodation with magnificent views across False Bay. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Dunvegan Lodge
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Cape Town
16.4km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeDunvegan Lodge is set high upon the fynbos-covered slopes of Clovelly mountain, Fish Hoek and offers luxury self-catering accommodation in spacious sunny rooms, each with modern en-suite bathrooms, TV with satellite, telephone, hairdryer, safe and... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Upstairs @ No. 42
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Fish Hoek
16.6km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeUPSTAIRS @ No. 42 is a real home from home with beautiful mountain views and conveniently appointed for a relaxing break. Drive into secure parking right at the entrance. Up the stairs you will find a lounge-dining-kitchen area - fully equipped with TV & …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
A Tuscan Villa Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Fish Hoek
16.7km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeBed and breakfast accommodation in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. The villa boasts 4 spacious en-suite rooms named according to the direction they face. While each room has its own special attributes all rooms have Posturepedic beds, 100% percale cotton linen... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Bay Splendour
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Simon's Town
16.8km from False Bay - Cape Town, Western CapeBay Splendour, nestles in a quiet cul-de-sac only ten minutes walk from the old world charm of Simon's Town, South Africa's premier naval station. A coastal gem of peace and tranquillity, Bay Splendour has a spacious open-plan lounge and kitchen... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
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- Strandfontein Beach & Tidal Pool - Strandfontein, Cape Town (9.24km)
- Wolfgat Nature Reserve - Mitchells Plain, Cape Town (11.68km)
- Millers Point Tidal Pool - Cape Peninsula, Cape Town (12.85km)
- Roman Rock Lighthouse - Simon's Town, Cape Town (13.11km)
- Westridge Gardens - Mitchells Plain, Cape Town (13.12km)
- Mitchells Plain Festival - Mitchells Plain, Cape Town (13.12km)
- Muizenberg Beach - False Bay, Cape Town (13.69km)
- Windmill Beach - Simon's Town, Cape Town (13.71km)
- Fishermans Beach - Simon's Town, Cape Town (13.74km)
- Partridge Point - Cape Peninsula, Cape Town (13.94km)
- Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market - Muizenberg (14.04km)
- Simon's Town Country Club - Cape Town (14.05km)
- False Bay Nature Reserve - Cape Town, Western Cape (14.06km)
- Masque Theatre - Muizenberg, Cape Town (14.17km)
- Boulders Beach Penguin Colony - Simon's Town (14.21km)
- St James Beach and Tidal Pool - Cape Town (14.25km)
- Seaforth Beach - Simon's Town, Cape Town (14.60km)
- Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary - Cape Town (14.61km)
- Dalebrook Tidal Pool - Kalk Bay, Cape Town (14.67km)
