Cape Town. Known for Table Mountain, the friendly people and a place that is rich in culture. However, the one thing that might surprise you is the beautiful beaches they have in and around Cape Town.  Some of these beaches might be popular beaches that everyone is going to.

But, some are secret beaches that not many people are aware off, and that not many people know about.  If you are planning a trip to Cape Town, to relax at one of their most beautiful beaches, then you should read here. Here are some of the most beautiful, surprising beaches you can visit in Cape Town. And, with each beach, you will have a different experience. This is what is making these beaches so special.

BetaBeach – Bakoven

The thing about Cape Town beaches is that they crow. Mostly because of the high number of tourists that you will find in Cape Town. There are people that are looking for a beach that isstill really beautiful, but not full of tourists.

This is the type of beach that you want to still find the beauty, and not struggling to find a seating on the beach. The BetaBeach – Bakoven is one of these beaches. This is a secret to most localsbecause tourists don’t know about this beach. Making this beach secluded, beautiful and peaceful.

The BetaBeach is a tiny beach that hasa great view of Lion’s head. You just might think about hiking to Lion’s head. During the weekends the beach is a bit busier than on weekdays. But, definitely,a place to visit if you are looking for some peace and quiet. And, with the view of Table Mountain, you will be able to understand why South Africans love Table Mountain and why they are saying this isAfrica’s number one tourist attractions.

Smitswinkel Beach

Smithswinkel Bay at False Bay is a beach that people know about. But, because of the hike to the beach, most people prefer to look for another beach. Making this beach secluded from the rest.

You can see the beachwhen you drive past it, but not many people want to stop and take the hike down. But, they don’t really know what are missing. Everyone knows the saying that when you work for something the reward is bigger. This is the same with this beach. You might need to hike to the beach, but at the end of the day, it is going to be worth it.

The beach is surrounded with mountains and clear ocean. It might not be toosafe in, but you will find a variety of surfers and divers there. Divers and surfers know the importance of not enjoying the water witha huge crowd of people. This is why they choose to come to False Bay. They found the beauty of the beachand making the most out of the beach that isn’t overcrowded.

Platboom Beach – Cape Point Nature Reserve

Platboom beach is one of the beaches in the Cape Point nature reserve park. You might need to pay for visiting this beach because it is in the nature reserve park. But, there are everything is still clean, and you will hear and see birds everywhere.

You aren’t prohibited from swimming here, but you are swimming here at own risk. There aren’t any lifesavers and there aren’t any shark nets here. However, until now there weren’t any reports of danger when you are swimming there.

If you love to see the birdlife and you want to see as many birds as possible, then the Platboom beach is the ideal place to go. Because the beach is secluded in the nature reserve, people don’t disturb the birds and they are flying freely here.

Sunset Beach – Blouberg

With Table Mountain on the one side of the beach and a partialview of Cape Town, this Cape Town beach is definitely number one when it comes to the most beautiful beaches.

The beach isn’t named Sunset beach for nothing. This is a beach with the most beautiful sunsets and ideal for a romantic picnic on the beach. The best part of this beach is that not many people know about the beach. It is not a busy beach. Even, during high season the beach is relatively calm. This is picture perfect and a beach that you need to search forwhen you are visiting Cape Town again.

Water’s Edge – Simons Town

The entrance to this Cape Town beach looks like a private beach. However, this isn’t a private beach. Anyone can enjoy the beach and will have as much fun as possible relaxing in the sun, or diving and surfing without wondering about the crowd.

Water’s edge in Simons Town is a secret that locals don’t like to reveille. So, if you are looking for a beach that isnot busy, and that hassome of the best views, then Water’s edge is the place you need to look for. The entrance of the beach lookslike a private garden with beach access. However, this is actually a public beach which is free to visit and to enjoy a day at without wondering if you are at the right spot and wondering if you are going to get chased away from the beach.

Blouberg & Big Bay

If you are a kitesurferor just a beach walker, then the Blouberg and Big Bay beach is the beach for you. This is a popular beach, even if it isn’t crowdedat all. This is why it is a great place for kitesurfingwalking on the beach or for swimming. Don’t forget about the children that are running and playing in the sand and in the waves.

The one thing that you need to know about this beach, is that this isn’t the place for youif you like to have lots of people around you. Parking won’t be a problemhere, because there are lots of parking on Otto du Plessis drive.  One thing that you will also see here, is that many dog owners are taking their dogs to this locationif they want to give their dogs a great workout. They won’t need to worry about what other people are going to say when there are dogs running all over the place. The only thing that you should remember, is that you should clean after your dog.

Camps Bay

This is one of the most popular beaches in Cape Town.  This is the beach that people want to be on. Camps Bay isn’t a secluded beach like some of the other beaches mentioned here. However, this is a beach that is near everything. You can go shopping, to a restaurant or just walking around. You will always be near the beach. There are also a variety of activities that you can enjoy in the area. You can hike, visiting the market or just browsing around. This is also the beach where the rich and famous are staying in the 5-star hotels.

Families like going to this Cape Town beach, because of the amenities that they are offering here. You will be close to shops, restaurants, andbathrooms. Making this a really great place to visit. The only thing that you should know about this beach is that it can get really crowded during high-season.

Strand Beach

Strand beach is a well-known beach in the Cape Town area. This is because not only is this a beautiful beach with great views, but it is a family beach that issafe and secure as well. During the summertime, this became one of the more popular beaches to swim in, but during the winter time, this is a great beach to take long walks. Fishing is also a popular activity that you can enjoy on this beach. Especially in the rocks.

Strand beach is between Bikini beach and Macassar beach. Giving you a great view, no matter where you are looking. This is also one of the beaches that people are telling is the cleanest in the whole area.

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter if you are visiting the BetaBeach, Strand beach, Blouberg beach or Camps Bay. You will not be disappointed. There are really some great tourist attractions that they can see and experience at the Cape Town beaches. The one beach that you should not forget about is Camps Bay. This is because the beach is popular and situated in a prime spot.  It is in a place where you can find the best food, the best nightclubs and some enjoyment for the younger children.

Cape Town beaches. There is definitely more than one beach that you can go to during a nice, sunny day. However, the above-mentioned posts, the beach are a bit crowded during the summer days. But, if you are going to the right type of beach, you will know exactly why this is a popular beach to go to.

Penguins in Cape Town

Did you know that Cape Town has a significant African penguin population? Popular attractions and activities like Table Mountain, Cape Point, safaris and the beach attract masses of tourists each year. However, not many people are aware of the thousands of penguins that inhabit South Africa’s Mother City.

The penguins in Cape Town are captivating. They’re charming, charismatic seabirds with interesting behaviours and a knack for pulling in crowds. But, the shuffling birds only occupy certain areas of the Western Cape.

Read on to discover where you can find these fascinating sea creatures and learn more about them.

Where can you see the penguins in Cape Town?

There are only a few places in the Cape where one can view African penguin colonies in their natural habitat.

The most popular area is Boulders Beach Cape Town. This is a nice recreational beach (great for swimming) on the Cape Peninsula in the suburb of Simon’s Town. The best area for viewing penguins, though, is Foxy Beach, which is only a few minutes away from Boulders on foot. Here, there are wheelchair-friendly boardwalks and one can get quite close to the penguins. Just don’t get too close, as their beaks are really sharp!

Another place where tourists can observe penguins in Cape Town is Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay. This is a small coastal holiday town in the Overberg. Stony Point, like Foxy Beach Cape Town, offers the opportunity to view Cape Town penguins up close, without disturbing the birds, via a boardwalk. Three species of cormorant are also present in the colony, along with Hartlaub’s gulls, Kelp gulls and Rock hyraxes.

Facts about the African penguins of Cape Town

Penguins in South Africa go by many names. These include black-footed penguin, Cape penguin, pikkewyn (Afrikaans) and nombombiyane (Xhosa). The flightless birds are commonly also called jackass penguins, due to the loud, donkey-like braying sounds that the species (Spheniscus demersus) makes.

The average adult African penguin reaches a height of 60 to 70 centimetres (24 to 28 in) and weighs between 2.2 and 3.5 kilograms (4.9 to 7.7 lb). They can dive for two and a half minutes underwater until they need to come up to breathe. Penguins in Cape Town feed on anchovies, sardines, squid and crustaceans.

People tend to think that icy, cold areas are where penguins live but this isn’t always true. While most species of penguin are native to the Southern Hemisphere, you don’t only find them in extremely cold places. In fact, only a few penguin species live very far south and there are several that thrive in temperate climates.

Jackass penguins have distinct pink-coloured skin patches above their eyes that help them tolerate changes in temperature. When the temperature rises, their bodies send more blood to the glands on these patches of skin. This causes the pink patches to change colour and darken, resulting in cooling of the glands.

More information about Boulders Beach Cape Town

Boulders Beach, also known as penguin beach Cape Town and Boulders Bay Cape Town, is a protected white sand beach in the Western Cape province that consists of inlets between granite boulders. The beach, which forms part of Table Mountain National Park, derives its name from these large smooth rocks.

At Boulders Beach, tourists can walk and swim with a colony of penguins in Cape Town that settled here in 1982. That is, if you can bear the cold water. The birds are used to people and will even walk beside you without hesitating. But, it is not advisable to touch or physically interact with the animals or feed them. They are in their natural habitat and are still wild penguins that can be dangerous and must feed themselves.

Going to Boulders Beach isn’t expensive, and families and friends can make a day out of it. You can have a tasty breakfast, walk and play on the beach and then go for a swim. Arrive early to see the penguins. Alternatively, if you want to see and do more, then you can book a tour of the Cape Peninsula. Our full-day Cape Peninsula tour takes visitors to iconic destinations, world heritage sites, seaside towns and, of course, Boulders Beach.

More information on Stony Point Cape Town

Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay is situated beneath the Kogelberg Mountain Range, along the South African Whale Coast. It is home to a large successful breeding colony of African penguins in Cape Town. The colony lies close the site of the old Waaygat Whaling Station that was in operation during the 1900s.

At Stony Point, tourists can meander along the walkway and view penguins swimming, interacting, sleeping and going about their day. It’s a pleasure to watch the birds from the well-designed boardwalk and there are loads of penguins. Moreover, one can view dassies, reptiles and various other seabirds while taking in the picture-perfect sights. The setting is beautiful. Again, it is best to avoid touching and interacting with the creatures.

The Stony Point Nature Reserve is approximately an hour away from Cape Town if you go by car. It has the same rules and regulations as Boulders beach but the entry fee is higher. Stony Point is not as busy as Boulders. This is a good thing, as tourists do not have to queue to capture amazing photos of the black and white penguins. The reserve has the feel of an undiscovered coastline retreat. There is a restaurant on-site.

Why you should visit the penguins in Cape Town

Visiting the African penguins at the Boulders Cape Town, Foxy Beach and Stony Point is a unique and enjoyable experience. The waddling sea birds are adorably cute and the colony sites are visually stunning. There are very few places in the world where one can view penguins in their natural environments like this, much less swim with them. The penguins roam freely throughout the areas and are naturally curious. It is not uncommon to find them examining picnic baskets or bobbing alongside tourists in shallow waters and playing in the waves.

There’s another good reason to go and see the penguins in Cape Town… They may not always be there! African penguins, once numerous throughout southwestern Africa, are now an endangered species. This comes as a result of oil spills, pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction. In 1910, there were approximately 1.5 million African penguins worldwide. This number dropped to around 150 000 by the end of the 20th century. Fortunately, there has been some population growth in recent years but this could change.

You will find African penguins in the Western Cape all year round. However, they are most numerous during the breeding season, which runs from February to August and peaks between March and May. During this time, you will see be able to see mom and dad penguins taking turns to incubate their eggs in shallow burrows. If you go between November and January, the penguins may look somewhat unkept, as this is moulting season.

Have a holiday or vacation coming up? Want to visit the African penguins in Cape Town? You can book a Cape Peninsula tour through our website right now. Alternatively, you can contact us for more information.

Franschhoek is on one of the most popular wine destinations in Cape Town South Africa and known internationally for its fine wines and food. Franschhoek or “French Corner”, when translated in English from the Dutch name, is a quaint little town just around 70 to 80km from Cape Town. The most prominent aspects that make this place so unique are that most of the farms still bear the original French names. You’ll also find age-old Dutch colonial architecture along with the beautiful vineyards that are simply magnificent to see and picture perfect.

This laid-back region enjoys spectacular views during the wintertime with snow-capped mountain peaks, and plenty of activities to enjoy. The versatility of its location has made Franschhoek one of the SA’s favourite countryside escapes for property investment and a holidaymaker’s delight! Every wine route is different, and in South Africa, all of the wine routes put together make up a world-class experience tailored to all individuals. If you are simply looking to discover more of the wine country in the Western Cape, then a trip to Franschhoek will really be worth your while!

Wine and dine in Franschhoek

You don’t have to be a foodie or wine connoisseur to enjoy Franschhoek, but if you are then you have lots to enjoy. Franschhoek is big on great wines, and foods and for this reason and it has dubbed the name “culinary capital” of South Africa. This puts Franschhoek ahead of some of the other wine regions in the Western Cape because it is here that foodies from all over the world can really enjoy the ultimate best of the best of foods. You can enjoy a one of a kind dining experience at one or more of the country’s top 100 restaurants. You can also have a day out and indulge in a good old picnic, taking in the beauty of the natural surrounds of the Franschhoek Vineyards and the beautiful wineries. You can pair your dinning experience with a traditional wine tasting affair at one of the region’s award-winning wine estates.

Franschhoek has over a hundred world-class restaurants that cater for everyone’s taste and foodie needs. The chefs offer a taste to remember in full-course meals, nouevell cuisine, grill style and lots more. When dining in Franschhoek, you can enjoy foods made with ingredients locally produced and freshly sourced to create the perfect meals.

Accommodation in Franschhoek

Everyone is different, and if you’re planning on a trip to Franschhoek, finding that comfortable, accommodation that is especially suited to your holiday needs is very important. Then there is also the price factor and the number of days in which you’d like to stay. Accommodation in Franschhoek is fantastic, featuring chic elegance as well as countryside charm. When staying in Franschhoek, you can enjoy a wide selection of holiday accommodation types tailored to every need. The selection of accommodation choices range caters to all tastes including extravagant 5 star establishments, luxury boutique hotels, self-catering guesthouses as well as bed & breakfast establishments. What’s more is, while it is a wine valley, you can enjoy the beauty of the vineyards and the charming wine estate accommodation. Some people prefer the lavish grandeur of an opulent estate, while some would indulge in the rustic charms of a little comfortable country escape. Once you’ve picked your accommodation you’re set to go.

Some great places to stay in Franschhoek

5 star luxury

• Franschoek Country House
• La Petite Dauphine
• Le Manoir De Brendel Estate
• L’emitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas

B&B and guesthouses

• Franschhoek Travellers Lodge
• La Galiniere Guest Cottages
• Aloe Corner

Wines estates

• Angala
• Auberge Claremont
• Avondrood Guesthouse
• Babylonstoren farm hotel

Boutique hotels

• Le Quartier Fransias
• Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
• Leeu House
• La Residence

Wine estates and tasting rooms in Franschhoek

This region started out crafting wines since the 16^th century creating some of the country’s “best sellers”. Here is a cultural mix of Cape Dutch and French Huguenots who planted some of the first vineyards and cultivated the lands for an excellent harvest of great tasting wine varieties known to the region.

Franschhoek Valley is popular for some of its nationally celebrated wine estates. The wine region produces some of the best wines throughout the country and some internationally sold. Award-winning and rare wines can be purchased at selected wine tasting rooms and each offer their own unique taste.

There are several wine tasting rooms to choose. Along with wine tasting, come greater dining experiences as well as the chance to meet the masters behind the upkeep of the estates and the production of their select wines. Each wine tasting room is unique to the estate, booking in advance is a good way to ensure you, and your group is catered for and provides time for preparation. Some wine tasting rooms are cosy, while others are flamboyant and offer lush extravagance.

Wine estates in this region often offer excellent accommodation whether you’re travelling in a large group or looking for a venue to host an event. Some of the estates include the following:

• Lunx wines is a small privately owned estate that caters for small tour groups and produces great tasting, award-winning wines produced on the land. Tours are also available in German and Spanish.
• Stony Brook vineyard is a family run wine farm that produces fine wine for export to Europe.
• The Vrede en Lust Winery displays spectacular scenery and amenities and produces great wines. It bears a rich Dutch heritage that can be seen through the architecture. The winery has an onsite family bistro offering breakfasts, and for those looking to stay over, there is accommodation for up to 42 people.
• Boschendal has been around for more than 300 years and has established a deep heritage for creating exquisite wines produced on these very grounds. You can enjoy rustic farm accommodation, luxury wedding venues, wine tasting, picnics, and lots more.
• Haute Cabriere is a beautiful, privately owned wine estate specializes in Methode Cap Classiques and still wines. Cellar tours and wine tasting are booked by appointment only. Tours are available in English, Afrikaans, French, and German.

Things to do in Franschhoek

When it comes to exploring the region, there are simply so many things to do that are not limited to the indoors. Exploring this country-like escape will bring you the serenity you need from a stressful lifestyle and disconnects you from the rush of the city. Many visitors grab the opportunity for professional guided tours of the region, food pairings and wine tasting. There are also several other great things to do including but not limited to:  

• Bicycle and hiking trails (great rugged terrain and excellent for that outdoor fun challenge)  
• Cellar tours (each varies from one wine estate to the next) 
• Horseback riding 
• Quad biking  
• Music festivals  
• Art exhibitions 
• Famous food festivals

Art and shopping

You can’t finish your trip to Franschhoek without exploring some of the many interesting gift and curious shops. Franschhoek caters to your shopping needs by supplying a variety of shops such as florists, boutique clothing and jewellery, as well as home decor, wine shops and leather trading stores. Take the time to appreciate the finesse and talent of world-renowned artists, admiring some beautiful art pieces in a wide selection of art galleries within Franschhoek.

Festivals in Franschhoek

Franschoek affords visitors a variety of food and wine festivals including the Franschhoek Bastille Festival and Franschhoek Cap Classique Champaigne Festival to name a few. As far as outdoor activities and things to do in this beautiful wine region, the opportunities are endless. Franschhoek displays such splendor and natural beauty that you can enjoy your surrounds whether you’re having a picnic with your loved one or enjoying glass of wine and lively music at a festival.

Explore Franschhoek on with the wine tram

The tram runs through the Franschhoek Valley, where visitors can explore the surrounding facilities, shops, wine cellars, restaurants and beautiful scenery. Since its founding in 2012, the Franschhoek tram plays a major role in the area and allows visitors to see and do more even when the time is limited. The tram also allows for bespoke group experiences, and vast wine experiences and tasting. This hop on and off experience gives you a charming view of the Franschhoek wine region that embraces the old-world while thriving in the luxury of fine food and wine.

Franschhoek Wine tours

Franschhoek wine tours are a fantastic way to broaden your horizon on how wine making is perfected and enjoyed with age-old traditions and techniques carrying a blend of Dutch, French and South African traits. The more days and time you have available to spend, the more you get to see of Franschhoek’s most popular wine region and enjoy it completely.

With all there is to see and enjoy in Franschhoek’s wine region, booking your wine tour should be at the top of your list. While exploring you can go ahead and sample meals from these top eateries, enjoy some art, music, and simply “live” as you escape the city rush, and embrace the wine culture of one of South Africa’s top wine regions. With excellent planning and a great tour company to look after your needs, you can simply clear your schedule, and enjoy a wonderful experience.

Some include but are not limited to the following:

• Full day Winelands tour, including Stellenbosch and Paarl wine regions
• Half day Franschhoek wine tour
• 3 Day wine tours
• Wine tour Packages
• Franschhoek wine tours on bicycles
• Private Franschhoek wine tours
• Franschhoek Wine tram

Wine tastings in Franschhoek

No wine region of the Cape is shy of phenomenal wine tasting experiences. During a Franschhoek wine tasting, you not only get to taste the lovely wines but also discover which foods pair the best. This splendid and cultural wine experience is necessary for anyone looking to discover more about wine, how it is made and what it is all about. Franscheok has plenty of wine tasting rooms, almost every wine estate in Franschhoek will offer an opportunity to taste their wines made at that very wine farm. You will also have a choice to purchase the wine directly from the wineries. Wine tastings is Franschhoek’s most popular activity and it is not uncommon to spend the day hoping from one wine estate to the next, giving yourself the opportunity to sample the different wines.

 

 

Wines from Franschhoek

The wines from Franschhoek are inspired and have years of perfection in technique to bring you simply the best. This region is popular for wines such as the following:

• Sauvignon Blanc – a green-skinned variety originally from France but also cultivated and grown in South Africa, Western Cape.
• Chardonnay – a green-skinned grape variety originally from Burgundy France.
• Semillon – a golden hue variety that produces sweet white wines
• Chenin Blanc – a versatile white wine with a variety of flavours

When it comes to great red wines, you can’t go wrong with Franschhoek’s excellent selection of:

• Cabinet Sauvignon
• Pinot Noir
• Shiraz
• Merlot

Franschhoek is also renowned for the production of some of the country’s leading Méthode Cap Classiques. You can sample these on a MCC route trip.

The history of winemaking in Franschhoek

Franschhoek is regarded as one of the oldest towns in South Africa, tracing its origins to 1688 when the French Huguenots settled into the region. The French Huguenots came to South Africa in the 1600’s due to religious persecutions that occurred in France under the leadership of King Louis XIV. Over 150,000 French Huguenots left to seek refuge in other parts of Europe like Switzerland, Ireland, Germany and England to name a few. The Dutch East India Company sent as many as 50,000 Huguenots to South Africa to help develop the farmlands, especially the vineyards in certain regions. Today their traits are still present and the wine techniques acquired and perfected, as we know it now. Franschhoek also goes further to earlier years of history when hunter-gatherers of the San people lived in the region.

Franschhoek’s winemaking began with the French Huguenots. The 1600’s saw this region develop vineyards and wine lands cultivated for fine winemaking. During Dutch colonisation, the refugee Huguenots settled in Franschhoek as their new home. They then took to cultivating the fertile soil and building the very foundations of South Africa’s wine country, as we know it to this very day.

The Franschhoek Valley Tram also plays an important part of the region’s wine history. During the early 1900’s a branch line of estimated 28km was built between Paarl and Franschhoek as an alternative route for farmers trading. For a very long time, ox-drawn wagons crossed the path as well as steam locomotives, which later technologies allowed for diesel engines. Due to this deep-set heritage, even after the trade route ended in the 1990’s, a private company later brought it all back to life and established the Franschhoek Tram which operates in this area.

 

Getting to Franschhoek

Visiting from near or far is simple. Here are some options if you’re planning a visit to Franschhoek Western Cape.

International: Travelling by air

Several airlines fly to South Africa from abroad including British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar, and Emirates to name a few. There are also domestic airlines that connect from OR Tambo Johannesburg, King Shaka international Durban, or Cape Town International they include SAA, Mango and Kalula.com.

National: Travelling on land

Land travel is often a more affordable choice but also the “slower” option. Nevertheless, land travel gives you time to travel at your own leisure. Again, if you decide to visit the beautiful Franschhoek wine region, then you can select from a wide range of land travel options. There are several luxury buses to choose from like Greyhound, Translux, and Intercape. Car rental options are plentiful with Avis, Europcar, thrift, and Hertz to name a few.

Travelling from Cape Town City Centre

The Western Cape has several roads that travel throughout the province. Finding your way on the local roads is not difficult at all and if you’re not using a GPS, then the road signs will do just fine.  If you’ve decided to come with your own car or rent one for that matter then you can make use of these routes when travelling from Cape Town. Your estimated time of arrival in Franschhoek will vary depending on the route you choose as well as roadworks and traffic.

• Via N1 and R45 (estimated 1 hour and 8 min)
• Via N2 and R310 (estimated 1 hour and 23min)