To do- outdoors


Simon's Town can be visited all year round. The hot weather is from December to March. In the winter months the whales seek the safety of South African coast to breed. Scuba visibility is best and hiking is a pleasure in the winter. The spring sees an explosion in flora with the famous spring flowers in Namaqualand an hour or two from Cape Town. And of course the Cape Vineyards of Constantia and Stellenbosch are both but an hour away.

Jackass penguins are located at Boulders Beach, a couple of kilometers outside of Simon’s Town. This colony is one of only two such colonies in the world. On warm summer days people and penguins splash together in the clear and shallow waters of the bay, surrounded by big round boulders.

The Southern Right whale visits the Cape Coast from June to October. Estimates are that the population is increasing by 10% a year. Whale watching is strictly regulated- small craft are not allowed to approach whales- but of course they can come to you.

Game fishing: experienced operators can be found in Simon's Town harbour.

Scuba diving and snorkelling: The waters around Simon's Town are home to some 2000 marine species, of which 60% are endemic to the country and 14% of these to only False Bay. There are opportunities for underwater photography and wreck exploration. Visibility is best during winter.

Sailing at sea: contact False Bay Yacht Club: Tel 021 7861703.

The area boasts over 2800 plant species indigenous to the Cape such as this protea. This makes the Cape Peninsula richer in wildlife than any other area of comparable size on earth. A nearby wetland at Glencairn has over 100 bird species and even the Cape clawless otter. A map of the five major hiking trails is readily available from the Tourist Information Centre. Enthusiasts are best guided by the Simon's Town Flora Conservation Group. Two other good contacts are the Alien Vegetation Eradication Group and Friends of the Simon's Town Coastline.