Ships Ahoy!
We spent a Sunday in the naval seaside town of Simon’s Town, to take a look around and enjoy some good ol’ fish ‘n chips at the harbour. Capetonians often forget Simon’s Town even exists since it’s such a far drive from the city centre. But it’s worth the drive – and it’s a pretty coastal drive at that – and for tourists it offers a whole new view of this complex and diverse city.
Here’s how we recommend you spend a day out in this seaside town:
Where To Eat
We dined at Bertha’s Restaurant which has the prime location on the water’s edge, overlooking the harbour jetty and ocean with its bobbing boats, kayaks coming in and out and sea gulls mulling up in the air, hopefully eyeing our fish and chips. We had the delicious Bertha’s seafood platter, with prawns, linefish, mussels, deep-fried calamari and chips. There’s nothing greater on a sunny day than enjoying fresh seafood by the seaside, wine in hand. The service was great, our waiter bubbly and helpful and the traditional Xhosa choir serenading us alongside the waterfront was a nice touch. It’s a great day-out for the family, couples and friends in a casual, vibrant setting.
Contact: Wharf St, Simon’s Town. Tel +27 21 786 2138
Bertha’s has the best location as far as we’re concerned, but there are other great restaurants in town or nearby, such as Just Sushi, The Black Marlin (021 786 1621) and Boulders Beach Restaurant (021 786 1758).
What To Do
- Visit the Penguins at Boulders Beach – Boulders is a small beach and home to a breeding colony for the endangered African Penguin.
- Go white shark cage diving – If it’s your thing… Based in Simon’s Town, Shark Explorers offers various tours, including opportunities to see and dive with great whites, blue and mako sharks, and broadnose sevengill sharks. Spot pelagic birds like the Albatross and dive with Cape fur seals. Tel + 27 (0)82 564 1904, info@sharkexplorers.com.
- Take the kids to Scratch Patch – Let them run wild and collect polished gemstones to take home. Dido Valley, tel + 27 (0)21 786 2020.
- Go on a boat trip – Venture into the ocean to spot whales and dolphins. Visit Seal Island, with its more than 75,000 Cape Fur Seals. Look out for Great White Sharks. The Seal Island Cruise departs daily. Tel + 27 (0) 83 257 7760. Adults cost: R350; Under 12s R200.
- Rent a bicycle! – Ride around this scenic naval town and harbour on two wheels. You can rent bicycles or scooters. Enquire at the Biltong Shop, downstairs at Jubilee Square . Tel + 27 (0) 82 442 7201.
- Stroll around – Amble the quiet streets, popping in at the boutiques, ice-cream shops, book stores, vintage clothing stores and head to the harbour, with its yachts and boats surrounding the jetty. It’s a lot of fun and less busy than the more touristy V&A Waterfront near the CBD. Bring the camera.
Visit the South African Naval Museum
The SA Navy Museum is in the original three-storey Dockyard Magazine/Storehouse in Simon’s Town. The collection is continuously added to and includes paraphernalia such as ship and submarine models, a life-size ship’s bridge, torpedoes, diving equipment, Naval craft, guns and uniforms, and portraits of Naval personnel. Visit: Daily 10:00 – 16:00 except Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Did You Know: Cape Town is the only place in the world you can reliably dive with broadnose sevengill sharks.
See the Submarine
Visit the Assegaai Submarine Museum, at the Naval Dockyard – access is by a scheduled bus service from the station; pick-up point at Jubilee Square (113 St Georges Street). The submarine is one of about five of its kind in the Southern hemisphere and the first in Africa. If you’ve never been on a submarine before, this is a great opportunity to. Tours are conducted by experienced guides who explain life aboard, how the boat was run and how the systems work.
- Tel + 27 (0) 21 786 5243, info@hgtstours.com
- Open: 6 days/week (closed Tuesdays). Tours from 10:00 – 15:30 (on the hour and half hour); last tour starts at 14:30. Tours are 50 minutes; groups limited to 10-12 people.
- Cost: R40/person (R20 for under 12s) – includes bus fare.
Where To Stay
For our recommended accommodation in the False Bay area, click here. These properties let you enjoy and explore the warm waters of the beaches of Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and Kalk Bay this side of Cape Town.
- Visit our website for our other favourite Cape Town hotels and guesthouses.
- Contact one of our consultants for more information to book a tailor-made Cape Town itinerary to suit you.
