Posted: October 8th, 2012 by admin
Fish Hoek is a charming seaside village, situated along the False Bay seaboard. With a long, beautiful beach and tranquil ambience, Fish Hoek is a popular holiday spot for families or visitors seeking a little quiet time away. It’s also a popular residential spot for people who wish to live away from the noise of central Cape Town.
With one of the safest swimming beaches in Cape Town, Fish Hoek is an attractive option for family beach holidays. The ocean waters at Fish Hoek beach are warmer than those along the Atlantic seaboard. Fish Hoek is also a haven for watersports fanatics, with a wide variety of watersports facilities and clubs in the area. Body surfing, wind surfing, kayaking and hobie cat sailing are popular pursuits, and you’ll easily find one to suit your desires. If watersports aren’t your idea of fun, then a relaxing afternoon spent on the sand, with a book and your sunscreen is a wonderful way to relax. Fish Hoek is also known for its excellent land-based whale watching opportunities.
Hiking, birdwatching and walking trails are also dotted around the area. With mountains as the backdrop to this sweet little town, exploring the region on foot is an experience not to be missed. Peer’s Cave is a popular tourist spot and also a National Monument. Just a short climb up the sand dunes rewards you with beautiful views of the Peninsula, whilst Jager’s Walk takes you along a pleasant path to Sunny Cove. The Clovelly Country Club boasts magnificent bowling greens, tennis courts and one of South Africa’s best golf courses.
With a vibrant fishing industry, Fish Hoek restaurants primarily specialize in serving up delicious seafood. The Galley is situated right on Fish Hoek beach and prides itself on offering a delectable array of homegrown cuisine.
Because Fish Hoek is small, it’s easy to explore on foot. Shopping malls, scenic locations and places of interest are all within easy reach. Sun Valley Mall, Long Beach Mall and the Fish Hoek Shopping District are packed with exciting retailers, restaurants and takeaway outlets. You can also enjoy an afternoon of relaxed browsing as the main street of Fish Hoek is peppered with interesting craft, curio and antiques shops.
Fish Hoek Valley Museum is open six days a week and exhibits historical artefacts and photographs from the region, some dating back to the time of the San. Illustrated historical talks, school programmes and guided walks are often hosted by the museum.
Whether your interests extend to fun in the sun or more relaxing pursuits, Fish Hoek is a town to be explored and enjoyed.
Posted: September 25th, 2012 by admin
One of the Western Cape’s finest natural destinations is the Table Mountain National Park. A natural world heritage site, Table Mountain National Park encompasses both magnificent mountains and a stunning coastline.
The mountain range of Table Mountain National Park stretches from Signal Hill to Cape Point and is home to the world’s smallest yet most diverse floral kingdom, The Cape Floristic Region. Populated by an abundance of fynbos and other plant life, the region is famed for its dramatic landscapes and over 9000 recorded plant species. Table Mountain National Park is primarily an open access park and attracts millions of visitors on an annual basis.
Table Mountain National Park is a nature lover’s dream destination. Hiking and walking trails, bird watching routes and cycling paths are dotted throughout the region. A wide range of picnic spots can be found within the park, each offering a uniquely scenic place to enjoy a relaxed lunch.
Two of the most prominent landmarks within the park are Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. Table Mountain has recently been declared one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature. One of the most popular ways to explore this majestic mountain is via the Aerial Cableway. Once you reach the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a relaxed meal and take in the grand views of Cape Town and beyond. The Cableway has been open since 1929 and is still a strong tourist attraction.
If a scenic road trip is more to your liking, take a ride along Chapman’s Peak Drive, which winds its way from Noordhoek to Hout Bay. This 9-kilometre route is a must-see for all visitors, as it provides a marvellous opportunity to stop and enjoy some of the Western Cape’s greatest scenery. With sheer drops to the sea below and towering mountains rising above you, the curving road can seem endless. The drive offers breathtaking 180° views and numerous sightseeing and picnic spots can be found along the route.
Spending a day at Boulders Beach is a must for your holiday itinerary. A secluded beach, protected from the wind and large waves by big boulders, this beach is a wonderful play spot for families. A growing colony of African Penguins live and play on the beach so you can look forward to sharing the sand with some of these little fellows. Children will be enthralled by the penguins’ antics but no feeding or physical interaction with the penguins is advised. Boulders Beach is also a great swimming and picnic spot.
With forest areas scattered across Table Mountain National Park, a forest walk is also a great way to explore this natural gem of a region. The most popular forest walks take you through Newlands Forest, Orange Kloof in Hout Bay and the Muizenberg Mountains. Tokai Forest is also a popular spot and many of the forests include cycling or MTB trails.
Table Mountain National Park lets you delve into all the natural wonder and scenic sights that the Western Cape has to offer. Enjoy and explore this treasure of the province.