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Gordons Bay Information & Things to do

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Gordon’s Bay is the Place for You

Gordons Bay Vacation Accommodation

Gordons Bay things to do and accommodation

Gordons Bay things to do and accommodation

GORDON’S BAY [ CLICK HERE TO VIEW VACATION RENTAL OPTIONS IN GBAY ]

Gordon’s Bay, also known as the mini Monte Carlo of South Africa, boasts with the turquoise sea being framed by a backdrop of majestic mountains.

This prime location is only 30 minutes away from Cape Town International Airport and some of the best the Cape has to offer. Surrounded by wine routes, the best places for whale spotting or the vibrant city life, Gordon’s Bay will cater for all your needs and more.

Gordon’s Bay was named after Colonel Robert Jacob Gordon, a Dutch military officer who was responsible for the exploration of the stunning False Bay coastline between present Gordon’s Bay and Betty’s Bay.

 

Today this picturesque sheltered cove, with the enormous mountain drop and white sandy beaches is home to the South African Naval College, a junior officer training facility adjacent to the old harbour and well known yacht marina. Above the harbour on the mountainside is an emblem of a giant anchor and the letters “GB” assembled from painted stones, which stands for General Botha, the name of the earlier training base, SATS General Botha, which was also the original name of the naval station in the town.

Gordon’s Bay is the smallest town in the region, hidden in the shade of the towering Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Originally Gordon’s Bay was named “Fish Hoek”, long before the town of the same name located on the western side of False Bay, was founded. You will find some interesting evidence of this on the outside wall of the Post Office.

For families Gordon’s Bay is the ideal holiday destination, not only does it combine all aspects of an international resort town with the charm of an old-style coastal village, it also has some of the best beaches in the Cape.

Whatever your needs, you will find it – beautiful white sand, rock pools, shallow paddling areas and calm seas. The sea is warmer here than on the Atlantic coast and Bikini Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status, an international quality rating of the highest order. The beach is safe and is regularly patrolled by a seasonal security guard.

Although a relatively small place, there are two harbours in this village.

The first one is the original working harbour which is still used by fishing boats and yachts and is also home to the Gordons Bay Yacht Club, National Sea Rescue Institute and the SA Navy. Sailing – or boating – is at the very core of Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club and they have sailing events at least twice a month throughout the year.

The second one is The New Harbour which is situated in the prestigious Harbour Island and is home to many charter boats and yachts. This harbour is also home to the Gordons Bay Boat Angling Club.

Gordon’s Bay is well known for its sunsets and there is no better way to enjoy one than on the sea with Helderberg Sunset Cruise and the possibility of seeing dolphins, seals and whales. Or, if you are more adventurous, go on a fishing trip that includes braaing your catch on the boat.

For the more relaxed, there are plenty of restaurants where you can go for sundowners as well as light meals like burgers, grills, pasta, pizza and seafood dishes. Most restaurants will spoil you with a magnificent sunset view. 

At Bertie’s Mooring in Harbour Island they have live music on Friday and Sunday evenings with some well-known South African bands.

The ice cream shops are well known and extremely popular, but once you’ve had your ice cream, stop for a visit at Bikini Beach Books. Trading for more than 25 years, this popular bookstore will steal your heart. It may all look a bit chaotic, with the books all over the place and stacked, but they claim that it’s actually been cleverly structured to encourage book lovers to search long and hard and find more than you have bargained for. You will most probably go away with an armload of books and come back for more!

For nature lovers there is Eland Pass where that you can see deep grooves in the sandstone rock, caused by locked wagon wheels as they slid down the dangerous slopes. There are two hiking trails in the area giving you the opportunity to explore, but you will need a 4×4 vehicle to get to the start.

Gordon’s Bay will cater for all your accommodation needs. The Krystal Beach Hotel in Harbour Island is world class, but if a hotel is not what you need, there are guest houses aplenty, holiday flats for every taste and self-catering places in abundance. 

With Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Strand all in close proximity, you won’t have a dull moment in the lovely Gordon’s Bay.

Area Info – Summer Place Gordons Bay

Closest landmarks

  • Harmony Flats Nature Reserve2.4 km
  • Poco Store4.5 km
  • Greenways Strand Golf Estate On Sea4.7 km
  • Southside Shopping Centre5 km
  • Twin Palm Centre5.6 km
  • Koop Sentrum5.9 km
  • Riverside Shopping Centre8 km
  • Strand Golf Club8.2 km
  • Circle Centre Somerset West8.3 km
  • Oudhuis Centre8.4 km

Most popular landmarks

  • Somerset Railway Station8.6 km
  • Helderberg Centre8.7 km
  • Somerset Value Mart9 km
  • Vergelegen Wine Estate9.4 km
  • Somerset Mall9.6 km
  • Lourensford Wine Estate9.8 km
  • Waterstone Village Shopping Centre10.7 km
  • Helderberg Nature Reserve12.6 km
  • Heidelberg Golf Club13.4 km
  • Macassar Dunes Reserve16.1 km

Airports

  • Cape Town International Airport32.8 km

See you soon! Or rather; sea you soon!

[ CLICK HERE TO VIEW ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS IN GORDONS BAY ]

Article & Copy Right: Ancabe van Zyl – Blog writer

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