Gordon's Bay

This picturesque village is one of SA's best kept secrets and is situated at the foot of the Hottentot Holland mountains in False Bay.

The Village was named after an officer who served in the Dutch East India Company - Captain Robert James Gordon in 1778. It is situated on the northeastern corner of approximately 50 km from Cape Town and a mere 25 minutes drive from the International Airport.

The village also benefits from being only a 10 minute drive from the start of the Stellenbosch Wine Route - a must for any visitor to the area. The quaint fishing and yacht harbour bring a Mediterranean atmosphere to this enchanting haven.

The "village" comprises three parts. The "old village", situated around the old harbour, "Bikini Beach" and the main beach by the public car park; the "Mountainside", which lies along the lower slopes of the eastern side of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains and the "Flat Gordon’s Bay". This area is the most recent addition to "the village".

Gordon's Bay originally named "Fish Hoek", many years before the town of the same name, located on the western arm of False Bay, was founded. Evidence of which can be seen on the outside wall of the local Post Office.

The older part of Gordon's Bay is host to an officers Training Depot of South Africa's Navy, which is adjacent to the old harbour and yacht marina. Above the harbour on the mountainside, is a giant anchor and the letters "GB". For many years urban myth suggested this stood for Gordon's Bay, but in fact it stands for General Botha which was the original name of the Naval station in the town established in 1928.

“G Bay” has the most beautiful white sandy beaches. Bikini Beach by the old harbour in the town, has been awarded the prestigious “Blue Flag” award, proclaiming the beach as one of the best and cleanest in the world. Bikini Beach is excellent for swimming and other watersports whilst the Bays main beach is also popular year round with its shelter and numerous rock pools.

The Bay Beach Front

This is the perfect location and is generally regarded as the safest tourist/holiday destination in the whole of South Africa.

Gordon's Bay is also the only place in Southern Africa with two harbours!

Both the old and new harbour offers excellent places to eat, drink and watch the breathtaking sunsets.

Bay cruises and fishing trips are available from the Old Harbour. We moor our own 38ft sports fishing boat, "Tailwalker" there and can be booked at www.gbboatcharters.co.za.

The town itself has several good restaurants, shops, internet cafes, and bars/pubs all overlooking clean sandy beaches which slope gently into the warm waters of False Bay.

Golf enthusiasts have 7 good courses to choose from and all are reachable within half an hour.

How to get here

Gordon's Bay is a mere 25 minutes from Cape Town International Airport! When leaving the airport, turn left onto the N2. Stay on the N2 until you have gone through Somerset West and then past a Shell filling station on your right. The turning for Gordon's Bay is the next turning on the right and is signposted.

Car Hire is essential for visitors who are wishing to fully enjoy the beauty and expanse of the Western Cape!

Did you know?

The area is undoubtedly a haven for lovers of food and wine! La Colombe restaurant at the Constantia Uitsig vineyard was recently acclaimed as the 28th best restaurant IN THE WORLD! Whilst other outstanding restaurants include FX, Terroir, Haute Cabriere, Steffanies Place, Haiku, 95 Keerom and ever popular local favourites such as The Tavern (you MUST try the Calamari!) and Harbour Lights.

Erinvale Golf Course, home of the SA Open

A trip to "Cape Point" is a scenic hours drive away. This area is part of Table Mountain National Park and is the perfect day out for families, friends or even romantic couples!

Meanwhile the unmistakable and imposing vision of Table Mountain entices visitors with its numerous mountain walks. Or for the more restful or discerning visitor, the awesome cable car ride awaits.

Robben Island is both a South African and a global institution. This former political prison saw the controversial incarceration of Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and Walther Sisulu for a number of years. The island is now one of South Africa's most popular attractions and provides a tear-jerking spine tingling insight into life in the apartheid era.

From August until October, the area is alive with the sight of the quite magnificent “whale season”. This secret season sees hundreds of Southern Right, Brede and Minke majestically enter the coastal waters and can be seen along the coast in both Gordons Bay and along the famous route to Hermanus.

In close proximity are the Hottentot Holland mountains with a national park and Steenbras Dam offering breathtaking views across false bay and beyond. There is a plethora of flora, fauna and wildlife in the area and is one of the regions best kept secrets.

The botanical garden in Kirstenbosch, around 25 minutes away, is home to in excess of 13,000 varying types of fynbos and plays host to a number of concerts in the summer. Recent performers have included Bryan Adams, Ronan Keating, South African stars Freshlyground whilst Michael Buble is due to perform live at the outdoor venue in December 2007.

Cape Town is also home to the Super 14's rugby side, "Vodacom Stormers" as well as Western Province cricket and rugby teams. Sahara Park, Newlands has been described as the worlds finest cricket ground by many experts and has the awe inspiring backdrop of Table Mountain.

We look forward to welcoming you to South Africa... the worlds most fascinating destination!

Boulders Beach