Bloubergstrand, Blouberg, Wes-Kaap
Bloubergstrand in the Western Cape of South Africa is situated on the Blaauwberg Coastline, 20 minutes away from Cape Town City Centre.
It is primarily a residential suburb, however attracts many local and international visitors each year. Its main attraction to tourists is its sandy white beaches from which you have spectacular views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Cape Town.
Bloubergstrand Beach lies between Big Bay and Table View Beaches. It has wonderful rock pools to explore and is a popular spot for photographs of Table Mountain. Big Bay Beach is a favourite with surfers and hosts many surfing competitions, both local and international. A very popular sport on this beach is kite-surfing and lessons are offered to tourists who wish to try this sport. Little Bay Beach is more suitable for families to enjoy swimming and sunbathing.
Blouberg is not just beaches and water sports, birdwatching and hiking is also available close by at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve.
Bloubergstrand is an ideal area to stay when visiting the Cape as it is central to almost all the attractions. If you do not have your own transport, the Myciti Bus Service covers the entire Bloubergstrand area as well Milnerton, Cape Town City Centre and the V&A Waterfront. It is a cheap and reliable way to get around and there is a direct bus to Cape Town International Airport every 20 minutes.
Tourists staying in self-catering units will find the Seaside Village Mall at Big Bay very convenient.
Bloubergstrand has many restaurants, bars and nightclubs for the young and old to enjoy their evenings without having to travel far.
Places to Visit
Things to do and see:
- Melkbosstrand 4 x 4 & Quad Biking
- Thandeka Horse Riding
- Atlantis Dunes
- Groote Post Winery
- Table Mountain
- V & A Waterfront
- Robben Island
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
- Buitenverwachting Wine Estate
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Tourists can find plenty of accommodation by way of self-catering units, B&B’s and Guest Houses. It is recommended that you book very early for April and December holidays as this area is very popular.
Climate
Bloubergstrand has a warm climate throughout the year with colder evenings in the winter months.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 29˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 7˚C and 19˚C with June to August being the peak rainy season.
Transport
There are domestic and International flights into Cape Town International Airport on a daily basis. Bus services, taxis and car rental companies are available for easy access around the area.
Festivals
February – Red Bull King of the Air Kiteboarding Competition: Some of the worlds’ top wave riders come to compete to catch the biggest airs in Big Bay.
April – The Cadiz Freedom Swim: considered to be one of the toughest long distance, cold water swimming races in the world.
More festivals can be attended in the surrounding areas, see Cape Town.
History
A small, but significant battle was fought here in 1806 called the Battle of Blaauwberg and it established British rule in South Africa. General Sir David Baird won the battle against the Dutch East India forces under General Janssens and ruins of the battle are still visible today on Blouberg Hill.
Long before the Christian era, the Khoisan and Bushman inhabited the coastal dunes and their history is found in the sands of the west coast and efforts are being made to preserve the archeological sites in the area.
The village lies at the foot of the 231 metre Blouberg which, from a distance has a pronounced blue-ish tinge. The name Bloubergstrand literally means “blue mountain beach” in Afrikaans and is derived from Baauwberg, a mountain nearby which was so named by the Dutch.
