Calendar with Availability - Click Here!
Gordon's Bay
Tourist Centre Water sports Self Drive Tours Nature Reserves False Bay Helderberg wine route

All the above attraction information supplied courtesy of www.nimbus.co.za 

Attractions of the Western Cape and Helderberg Area
Where it's all on your doorstep.
 

Gordon's Bay - the central base for exploring the Western Cape.

The picturesque village of Gordon's Bay at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range and Helderberg ("clear mountain") is central to the major attractions of the scenic Western Cape, such as the Wine lands (10 minutes), Airport (20 minutes), V&A waterfront (30 minutes), Table Mountain cable car (35 minutes),Cape Point (50 minutes), Hermanus via Whale route (50 minutes).

Our village boasts two harbours for small craft and fishing vessels with an entertaining Old Village and Waterfront consisting of restaurants serving seafood's and crayfish in season, pubs and hotels. Comfortable and affordable accommodation at friendly Guest Houses and B&Bs.

Gordon's Bay with its warm waters and safe beaches is the start of the MTN Whale Route with arguably the most scenic drives in the Western Cape via Kogel Bay to Rooi Els. Many a whale can be spotted from this route during calving season.

 
 


Gordon's Bay Old Harbour with the Hottentot's Holland mountains in the background.

 
 
Climate.

Gordon's Bay enjoys a mild Mediterranean type of climate. Summer is dry and hot, with cooling sea breezes. February to April is early autumn with mild balmy days and warm evenings, an ideal time for visitors wishing to explore the Western Cape region. Winter is our green season, but nevertheless has many mild sunny days.
Gordon's Bay specifically is protected by the surrounding mountains from the North-wester and Westerly winds in winter and has the mildest winter climate in the Western Cape.
For daily and three day weather forecasts: Tel.+27 (0) 21 934-0450 or 082-162.

False Bay.


Guarded by Cape Point in the west and Cape Hangklip in the east, False Bay has warmer water temperature than the Atlantic side of the peninsula. Most of the towns along the False Bay coast, such as Gordon's Bay, are found in sheltered bays.

The island in the middle of False Bay is called Seal Island. It is a breeding spot of the Cape Fur-seal, and consequently a feeding area of many shark species, including the Great White shark.

Several whale species frequent False Bay. Between June and December each year hundreds of Southern Right Whales visit the sheltered, shallow bays of the coastline to calve and nurture their offspring. The official Whale Route starts from Gordon's Bay, a scenic route with many safe areas where motorists can stop to view whales. Under certain surf conditions schools of dolphins swim close to shore to frolic in the waves.

False Bay play host to numerous angling events, yachting regattas, pleasure cruises and water sport. Fishing in False Bay is excellent and rewarding. When the South-easter blows in summer the sea becomes known as "kob water" as it has done for hundreds of years for eager fisherman. Cape Salmon, Yellowtail, Snoek and Tuna are usually caught from boats and when the Snoek runs, everyone comes home with a good catch.

Gordon's Bay Old Village.

Gordon's Bay combines an international holiday resort with the old-style charm of this coastal town and is centrally situated and within easy reach of most of the major attractions of the scenic Western Cape. Surrounded by the majestic Hottentots Holland mountain range and Helderberg, the warm waters of False Bay play host to numerous angling events, yachting regattas, pleasure cruises and water sports. During summer the beachfront and narrow streets of the Village comes alive with the happy sounds of holidaymakers enjoying the wonderful beaches, sunshine, scenery, shops, restaurants and the products of the wine lands.
Our area enjoys a mild Mediterranean type of climate. Summer is dry and hot, with cooling sea breezes. February to April is early autumn with mild balmy days and warm evenings, an ideal time for visitors wishing to explore the Western Cape region. Winter is our rainy season, but nonetheless has many mild sunny days.
Gordon's Bay specifically is protected by the surrounding mountains from the North-wester and Westerly winds in winter and has the mildest winter climate in the Western Cape.

Gordon's Bay Old Harbour.

A walk along the harbour wall is sure to be rewarding as boats and yachts sail in to moor at the protected small craft marina of Gordon's Bay Yacht Club. The wall flanks the beautiful Bikini Beach. Fishing charters and pleasure cruises aboard Nimbus depart from the Old Harbour. The popular Harbour Lights seafood restaurant is situated in the harbour area. Lifeboat Tavern specialises in breakfasts and light meals. Anchor Tavern is another Pub with light meals and neighbour to Station 9 of the National Sea Rescue Institute.
Constructed during the late 1930's as a working harbour, it is still used by commercial and sportfisherman alike with many a boat under construction or repair alongside the quays and slipway. Nimbus, launched in 1956 is the oldest boat in Gordon's Bay harbour, and has cruised the Cape seas from here for the past 45 years.

 

Gordon's Bay Waterfront at Harbour Island.

The new Gordon's Bay Waterfront Development at Harbour Island is an exciting entertainment area with many restaurants, pubs, entertainment and accommodation facilities available. Fishing charters and pleasure cruises aboard Nimbus depart from the Waterfront which has moorings for small craft and a slipway for launching of boats. Home to Gordon's Bay Boat Angling Club, host of the annual Broadbill competition. Bait and tackle available next to the slipway at Sea World. Tel. +27 (0) 21- 856-3468.

 
 
 
Views of the Harbour Island Residential Complex and Waterfront entertainment areas with private craft on their moorings.
 
 
 

OTHER SITES AND PLACES OF INTEREST

Lighthouses.

Cape Point.
The original lighthouse at Cape Point was built in 1860 but replaced by a lower lighthouse in 1919 as the upper one is covered by fog at times. This is the most powerful Lighthouse on our coast and can be seen from
Gordon's Bay at times.

Milkwood trees.

The White milkwood, Sideroxylon inerme, grows in abundance between Main beach and Sunset beach and other individual sites in Gordon's Bay. Adapted against harsh coastal winds, Milkwoods can grow into large umbrella shaped trees or shrublike bushes depending on local conditions.
The name is derived from the milky sap present in the bark and fruit, the flower have a distinctive smell that attracts insects, and is a virtual ecosystem of its own, as it provides shelter and food for a variety of animals such as insects, birds and boomslang. The ripe purplish- black fruit is a delicacy for birds and baboons.
Milkwoods are protected in terms of the
Forestry Act.

Penguin colony.

At the Stoney Point penguin colony a group of jackass penguins breeds and thrives in a small marine reserve. This colony is of special significance as jackass penguins rarely breed on the mainland, preferring islands.
Cape Nature Conservation regards the jackass penguin as one of three most critically endangered species in the Western Cape. The Oil tanker traffic with resultant oil spills is the biggest threat to the penguins survival.
For guided tours contact
Gordon's Bay Tourist Centre. Tel.+27 (0) 21-856-5204.

S A Naval College.

The S.A. Navy College based in the Old Harbour of Gordon's Bay is a training school for Naval Cadets and a restricted military area, but visits to the unit can be arranged through the unit's PRO.
Tel. +27 (0) 21-856-1401.

Shipwrecks

Colebrooke (1778) Kogel Bay
The Colebrooke, a British East Indiaman en route for Bombay with cargo of military supplies copper and lead struck Anvil Rock of Cape Point on 25 August 1778 and was beached in the surf at Kogel Bay.

Sarpine (1691) Gordon's Bay
The Sarpine, a Portuguese man-of-war, was wrecked near
Gordon's Bay on her return from voyage from China and Japan under the command of Ignatius Ferreira.


Steenbras Dam.

The Steenbras dam and filtration plant is the main water source for the Cape Metropole with the catchment area in the mountainous areas of Grabouw and Elgin. The dam, built in 1921 covers an area of 380ha and can be accessed from Sir Lowry's Pass or from Gordon's Bay on the coastal road turning off for the filtration plant entrance. The scenic 4 kilometre road up the mountain offers magnificent views of the Helderberg basin and the Cape Peninsula as far as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Several walks and mountain biking trails around the dams as well as picnic and barbeque facilities, are available. Entry permits to be obtained at the filtration plant entrance.