- Western Cape
- Gordons Bay
Gordons Bay, Western Cape
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Gordons Bay in the Western Cape of South Africa is a picturesque harbor town situated 50 km from Cape Town just off the N2 highway.
Nestled at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and overlooking False Bay, this old town was built around the harbour and Bikini Beach.
Bikini Beach is a very popular blue flag beach, especially with the students from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University nearby. In peak season you will find this beach full of activity with students playing volleyball, surfing, sun tanning and enjoying the many coffee shops, restaurants and bars along the promenade. The main beach of Gordons Bay is more to the taste of families as the water is calmer.
Gordons Bay lies along the Helderberg Wine Route and there are at least 25 different wine estates to visit, some include Vergelegen, Post House and Onderkloof Wine Estate.
Gordons Bay is the only town in South Africa that has two fully operational Harbours. Harbour Island is a waterfront development with yacht mooring facilities, shops, restaurants and a hotel. The Old Harbour is host to the Yacht Club and the Naval Academy.
This resort town is ideally situated for a relaxing seaside holiday within forty minutes’ drive to the bright lights of Cape Town and thirty minutes to the main airport.
Places to Visit
Things to do and see:
- Boat Cruises from the Harbour
- Journeys End Wine Estate
- Waterkloof Wine Estate
- Country Craft Market
- Strand Waterworld
- Cape Point
- Table Mountain & Signal Hill
- Robben Island
- Crystal Springs Hike or Boland Hiking Trail
Tourists can find plenty of accommodation by way of self-catering units, B&B’s and Guest Houses. Caravan and camping sites are also available close to the beach. It is recommended that you book very early for April and December holidays as this area is very popular.
Climate
Gordon’s Bay has a Mediterranean climate with warm and dry summer days and rainfall during the winter months.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 30˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 5˚C and 17˚C.
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
June/July – Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights: Come join for a carnival week, music, markets and merry making.
More festivals can be attended in the surrounding areas, see Cape Town and surrounding areas.
History
The 'Gordon' of Gordon’s Bay was Captain Robert Gordon, of the Dutch East India Company, who explored the area in 1795. Before this name, the area was known as Fish Hoek due to the abundance of fish being caught in the area.
Above the Old Harbour, on the mountainside is a giant anchor with the letters “GB” and many think this stands for Gordon’s Bay, however, it in fact stands for General Botha which was the original name of the Naval Station in the town.
From our gallery
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