The False Bay Region, Cape Town
For those who visit this effortless coast that stretches in a glorious arc all the way from Hangklip, close to Pringle Bay, through to Cape Point on the peninsula, there are unlimited opportunities for safe swimming and dramatic beauty that incorporates white, sandy beaches, beautiful valleys and sweeping vistas.
For many, the False Bay coastline is preferable to the trendier Atlantic Seaboard - the waters of the Indian Ocean are warmer for one, and less inundated by sun worshipping wannabees.
Did you know? Once you've booked your hotel or False Bay accommodation in Cape Town, explore the destination pages below for info on attractions, activities and things to do when you visit this part of the Cape coast.
False Bay, named such because early navigators mistook Hangklip for Cape Point, is the largest true bay in South Africa and one of the great bays of the world.
It is no surprise to learn that the distance across False Bay (33 kilometres from Rooiels to Miller’s Point) remains a rather daunting prospect for even the most primed marathon swimmers - it has eluded almost 90% of those who have tried - and has been attempted 20 times with only three successes.
The False Bay coast is a continuous collection of seaside villages and hamlets, their narrow avenues lined with quirky and quaint shops, hotels, restaurants and pubs. Implicit in the diversity is the promise of myriad picnic spots and lookout spots, particularly during the whale season when whales enter the bay to calve.
Some of the most popular of these in and around Cape Town include Muizenberg - popular amongst surfers and swimmers alike – Kalk Bay – a little character fishing village, with a vibrant day and night life – and Simon’s Town – the historical naval village. The wide stretches of beaches central to the bay - Monwabisi, Macassar and Mnandi - are favoured for fishing, whilst the villages of Rooiels, Hanglip and Pringle Bay all offer cosy getaways.
Find accommodation in False Bay
South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / False Bay Accommodation
Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's Ladder 15 is a modern, triple-storey air conditioned vacation home offering luxury self-catering accommodation in St James for up to eigh...
No2 Merlot
No2 Merlot is a triple storey self-catering holiday home with stunning views, located in the seaside suburb of Fish Hoek, within a 24 hour manned...
Boulders Beach Villa
Boulders Beach Villa is a self catering holiday home in Simons Town sleeping ten guests in five en-suite bedrooms. The modern living space consis...
Simon's Town Penthouse
The deck of Simon's Town Penthouse boasts incredible views of both the town and the sea. This fabulous apartment has three bedrooms and two bathr...
Tintswalo at Boulders
Boasting panoramic views of the ocean and the famed Boulders Beach, Tintswalo at Boulders offers accommodation in the charming suburb of Simon's ...
Felsensicht Holiday Home
Superbly situated near Boulders Beach with 180° views of False Bay stretching from Muizenberg in the north to Cape Point in the south, Felsensich...
Aqua Terra
Situated in Simons Town, Aqua Terra boasts breathtaking views across False Bay. The patio leads to a rim flow swimming pool and there is a gym fo...
Colona Castle
Colona Castle offers great quality, character, exclusivity and infinite charm with five full suites and three bedroom suites to charm discerning ...
Neptune Holiday Apartment
This Holiday Apartment in Fish Hoek has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Warm ambiance welcomes you to this lovely, spacious garden apartment ov...
Destinations in the False Bay Region
Castle Rock
Overnight? Castle Rock accommodation
The average Capetonian doesn’t even know of the existence of Castle Rock, which lies in a marine reserve just south of Millers Point as one leaves Simon’s Town on the Cape Peninsula. The advantage, of course, to venturing out this far along the cape is th...
Clovelly
Overnight? Clovelly accommodation
Clovelly lies between Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay just as you leave the quaint harbour village and come round the corner towards Fish Hoek. The beach, accessed by crossing a railway crossing, is a long stretch of white sand, fairly popular with body boarders, ...
Fish Hoek
Overnight? Fish Hoek accommodation
Whether you want a family holiday, weekend getaway or a honeymoon stay in Fish Hoek, this quiet little Cape Town village is the perfect retreat for locals and international travellers to South Africa. It has been frozen in time, hardly affected by the pus...
Glencairn
Overnight? Glencairn accommodation
Lying between Fish Hoek and Simons Town, in the bend of the road where the M4 meets the M6, Glencairn and the beach of the same name are often overlooked for the more exciting destinations of Simon’s Town and Cape Point Nature Reserve.
But the mountai...
Kalk Bay
Overnight? Kalk Bay accommodation
The unpretentious bohemian fishing village of Kalk Bay lies between the mountains and the sea, just 25 minutes’ from Cape Town.
Home to one of the last remaining working harbours in South Africa, not only can you meet the returning boats for the catch...
Lakeside
Overnight? Lakeside accommodation
Lakeside lies between the suburbs of West Lake and Muizenberg, with the rugged Steenberg, Mountain of stone, towering in the backdrop and the Zandvlei (sandy lake) in the foreground.
This is a highly sought after residential area and caters for a rang...
Marina da Gama
Overnight? Marina da Gama accommodation
Reminiscent of a Greek village, with its white homes and perpetually blue days, Marina da Gama is built on the eastern banks and the waterways of the quiet Zandvlei Lake - an inland salt water lake, connected to the sea.
Marina da Gama, built in the 1...
Muizenberg
Overnight? Muizenberg accommodation
This eclectic beach-side suburb is a colourful mix of history, architecture, fantastic beaches and culture. Set in the heart of the southern suburbs of Cape Town, Muizenberg lies up against the mountain of the same name, en route from Lakeside to Kalk Bay...
Simons Town
Overnight? Simons Town accommodation
Simon’s Town is one of the most delightful little villages in Cape Town. Situated about 40 km outside of the city, en route to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, this quaint town is the residence of the South African navy and steeped in nautical history - its...
Smitswinkel Bay
Overnight? Smitswinkel Bay accommodation
The secluded Smitswinkel Bay (also known as Smitswinkelbaai) lies hidden beneath the curve of the road that takes one to Cape Point Nature Reserve from Cape Town, a small bay reached only with some effort on foot, for it lies at the bottom of a steep clif...
St James
Overnight? St James accommodation
The little seaside village of St James lies just past Muizenberg en route to Kalk Bay, set against the mountain with incredible sea views and one of the prettiest little beaches.
St James’ beach - of the colourful beach huts - also has a large tidal p...
Westlake
Overnight? Westlake accommodation
Westlake is one of the many suburban areas of the Mother City, Cape Town, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is surrounded by the picturesque mountains of Tokai and Silvermine, situated below the historical Ou Kaapse Weg, which boasts magnif...