Whale watching | Beaches | Restaurants / Eateries by suburb | Nature Walks | Sports | Shopping

Oceans Echo Luxury Villa is only 35 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, 40 min from Stellenbosch and the Winelands and 35 min from Cape Town CBD and 20 min from The Cape Point Nature Reserve.  All the other attractions are even closer:

WHALE WATCHING
From the villa, you are often able to see and hear The Southern Right Whales who migrate every year to our coastal waters to calve and nurse their young. The whales, often meters from the shore, are wonderful to watch and stay in the area between August and November.  There are many opportunities for both-land based and boat-based Whale Watching in the area.

BEACHES

Oceans Echo is a 2min walk away from Jager Walk, which leads onto Fish Hoek Beach - one of Cape Towns’ most desirable and safest swimming beaches.

Muizenberg Beach is a 5 minute drive from Oceans Echo and is not only great for swimming, but is also a surfing hot-spot.  It attracts both beginners (Gary’s and Roxy’s surf Schools are there) and veteran surfers. 

St James Beach and Danger Beach lie between Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.  We recommend walking the “catwalk” between St. James and Muizenberg, with a break at “Knead” in Muizenberg for sustenance.  St James Beach has a popular tidal pool and is owner to the iconic coloured little beach huts that appear on many postcards of Cape Town.

Simonstown and surrounds have various beaches.  Long Beach (just after the Simons Town station) is also a good swimming beach, though less protected than the others nearby.  Many scuba divers launch from here and it overlooks the Naval Base. 

Seaforth Beach has a big, grassy bank which forms a great seating area. Here, you will find informal vendors selling African curios and there is also a small curio shop closeby. Seaforth Restaurant is practically perched over the ocean and is open from breakfast through to dinner (look out for their “Eat as much as you like Seafood/Prawn” specials.) 

Waters Edge Beach is between Seaforth and Boulders beach (take Miller Road) and is an undiscovered jewel.  When Boulders Beach becomes a bit narrow at high tide, go to Waters Edge which is wider but still protected from the humping South Easter wind. 

Boulders Beach is awesome and sought-out, but get there early.  Positioned on the outskirts of Simons’ Town, it’s small and protected.  It’s mostly a family beach and has a very private feel about it.  Your entrance fee to the beach goes towards conserving the Jackass Penguin Colony which is a short walk away.  A leafy walkway connects Boulders Beach with the viewing point for the Colony and as there are few places in the world where you will get to see these “butler-birds” up close, it’s a must. 

RESTAURANTS / EATERIES

There are many dining options in the area, from Café’s and Deli’s to fine Dining.

Fish Hoek

The Galley is probably the most well known restaurant in Fish Hoek. Right on the main swimming beach, it is informal and offers laid-back cuisine. It’s good value for money and has Seafood on the menu.

Françoise is on the Road that runs along the sea front and is just before the entrance to the main beach.  It has a large menu, wholesome food and an “old style” feel about it.

Simons Town

The Meeting Place is on the main road and combines a coffee and Décor.  It is light, airy and pretty and the food is good. 

Just Sushi is in the Waterfront and is very popular with both locals and tourists.

Boulders Beach Restaurant is at the entrance to boulders beach and it also has a small curio shop which sells cool drinks, ice-creams, snacks and bottled water.

Bertha’s is at the Simons Town waterfront and is a firm favourite on weekends and weekdays alike.  It has open-air and indoor seating with views across Simons Town Harbour.

Bon Appetite offers fine French dining.

Pescado on the main road is relaxed and has a mixed menu which is popular for its pizzas.

The Sweetest Thing makes delicious pastries and can be found almost opposite the first entrance to the Navy Base.  If you chose to eat in and not take out, they have lots of reading material to keep you entertained.

The Harbour View Restaurant is at the waterfront and has well priced, great, simple food and cakes with views of the Harbour, hence the name.

The Salty Seadog, also at the Waterfront, is a Simonstowns’ favourite for Fish and Chips.  

Seaforth Restaurant is practically perched over the ocean, has gorgeous sea views and is open from breakfast through to dinner. It offers a mixed menu which includes great seafood.

The Black Marlin is close to Millers Point, just outside of Simonstown and is on one of the most scenic coastlines in the Cape.

Glencairn

Flukes Restaurant at the Southern Right Hotel  has a large menu with excellent facilities for both children and adults.  It has a bar with TV’s which is popular with Rugby/Sports enthusiasts.

Olympia Café appears in almost every “good-eating guide”.  It‘s a deli and restaurant and has its own bakery which people flock to 7 days a week.  It’s very popular for weekend-breakfasts so get there early to avoid the queue, though it is most certainly worth the wait.

Live Bait is also in Kalk Bay Harbour and is light and bright with sea-views as the backdrop. Amongst other items, their menu boasts very good seafood and sushi.   It is also open for breakfast.

Muizenberg and Lakeside

Knead is right on the Muizenberg beachfront, is modern, fresh and vibey. It’s most well known for its cakes and wide selection of breads but the main meals / breakfasts they offer are also delicious.

Empire Café is just off the Main Road (turn down the little road where you see the Corner Surf Shop).  It is the sister-café to Olympia Café in Kalk Bay and offers the same, popular fare.

Sostanza is a bakery par excellence that serves tasty meals and delicious coffee.  It can be found at the Old Bakery on the main Road.

Mama Roma is also at the Old Bakery, serves Italian Cuisine and comes highly recommended.

Kalk Bay

Satori is on the Main Road and is a fantastic Italian Restaurant.  It is well priced, intimate and has a “stay-as-long-as-you-like” mood.   

The Brass Bell is one of the oldest and most established restaurants and is well known for its excellent seafood. It has two seating areas, the Upstairs having more of a fine dining ambience, and the Downstairs being more like a pub.  The waves crash up against the side of the restaurant and it is a popular haunt for both locals and tourists. 

Sirocco is on the main Road right next to the subway entrance.  It is only open in-season and offers simple, tasty, summer fare.

Olympia Café appears in almost every “good-eating guide”.  It is a deli and restaurant and has its own bakery which people flock to 7 days a week.  It is a very popular weekend-breakfast spot so get there early to avoid waiting in a queue, though it is most certainly worth the wait. 

Polana is right in Kalk Bay Harbour and has Moroccan Styled décor.  Their cuisine is tasty and unusual and it has a wonderful atmosphere due to the big sliding windows that open up right onto the Ocean.  On Friday and Sunday nights they have live Music.

Live Bait is also in Kalk Bay Harbour and is light and bright with sea-views as the backdrop. Their menu offers good seafood and sushi amongst other things.  It is also open for breakfast.

Harbour House is directly above Live Bait and is a sought after Fine Dining Seafood Restaurant, also with stunning views of the ocean.

Cape to Cuba is a novel experience and is a must. It has very stylish, eclectic Cuban-Styled décor and Cuban Food.  Even if you don’t stay for a meal, it has two bar areas where you can enjoy exotic Cocktails, smoke cigars and listen to Latin-American music.  You will feel like you have been transported to another world.

Kalkys in the Harbour is hailed as one of the best fish and chip restaurants in Cape Town. It is rustic and unfussy but has slick service and huge portions.  It is busy throughout the year, but especially on weekends.

C'est La Vie is on the last cobbled road just after Art Vark Gallery.  It is a little piece of Provence and serves wonderful coffee and baked goods.  We recommend their olive and cheese sticks.

Kommetjie

Imhoff is on the Road to Kommetjie and is like a homestead with various restaurants and activities.  There you can take a Camel Ride, visit a Snake Park, have a meal in one of the great restaurants (that are very children friendly), or buy some home-made wares at the Farm Stall. 

Rioja is on the Road to Kommetjie and is situated in what used to be Solole Game Reserve.  The Game Reserve was not viable, but Rioja stayed on and is still a very popular restaurant with outstanding cuisine.

Noordhoek

Noordhoek Farm Village is at the foot of Chapman’s Peak Drive in a tranquil country setting.  It has various restaurants, namely Café Roux, The Toad in the Village and The Food Barn that are open from Breakfast through till Dinner.  It is very child friendly, with lots of grass and play area.  It also has an eclectic mix of shops and galleries.

NATURE WALKS

PEERS CAVE is an archaeological site of our Stone Age ancestors dating back some 12000 years and lies across the valley. It can be accessed via 21st Avenue, Fish Hoek or Ou Kaapse Weg (M64)

TRAPPIESKOP (“THE SADDLE”) is accessible from either Clovelly Road in Clovelly or from the Kalk Bay side.  There’s also a trail that leads up to the Beacon above Clovelly and from this high vantage point you can see all the way to Cape Point. 

THE BLOCKHOUSE is accessible from Simonstown on the road just opposite Boulders Beach and takes you to the ruins of an old English Fort.

MUIZENBERG PEAK can be accessed via stone steps on Boyes Drive above Muizenberg, or Silvermine Nature Reserve on Ou Kaapseweg. The Peak is 507m high.

THE SENTINEL is Hout Bay's most famous mountain and looks out over the venue for South Africa's Big Wave Surfing spot, 'Dungeons'. A 20 minute walk around the foot of The Sentinel will get you close enough to see and hear these monstrous swells crashing out at sea.

TABLE MOUNTAIN can be accessed from the Cape Town side via Platteklip Gorge (starting from Tafelberg Road) and the Pipe Track (starting from Kloof Nek).  Other popular routes are Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge.

TOKAI FOREST is a Pine and Gum forest with arboretum (living tree museum). A steep walk will take you to Elephant's Eye Cave on Constantiaberg.  Once there, the panoramic views are spectacular.

LION'S HEAD is a beautiful walk through mountain fynbos with silver trees to the top (669m high). Access to the steep section at the top is facilitated by steel ladders.

SILVERMINE RIVER TRAIL is a small, pleasant daily trail which has 150 bird and 22 mammal species recorded. Accessible through the South side of the Silvermine estuary at the bridge on Main Road (M4)

ELSIE'S PEAK is accessed via The Outspan on Kommertjie Road, or Hillside Rd/Highway Rd.

SILVERMINE NATURE RESERVE offers various hiking trails:  On the eastern side there is Silvermine river and waterfall.  On the western side there is access to Elephants Eye Cave, Tokai lookout, Hout Bay view site and Noordhoek Ridge lookout. Here there are also shady picnic sites.  

Please note: If you are doing these as self-guided walks, please take a map.

SPORTS

Clovelly Country Club is just five minutes drive away and hosts an 18 hole / par 72 golf course. Golf enthusiasts will tell you that it is probably the most beautiful course in Cape Town.  It has an intimate, country feel with efficient service.

Some of the best cycle routes are from Ocean’s Echo and form part of the Argus Cycle Tour Race (the biggest timed cycle race in the world).  If you head toward Simonstown you can ride the loop up Cape Point, into Scarborough, through Kommetjie and then back into Fish Hoek.  If you head towards Noordhoek, you can cycle up Chapman’s Peak, into Hout Bay (break for breakfast and coffee!) and back over again into Fish Hoek.  If you are a cyclist, it is paradise.

For runners, there is the seafront and beaches which are beautiful routes, with hardly any gruelling hills.

For the water-adventurous, sign up for some lessons in Surf-skiing at Dawid Mocke’s Surf-Ski School (The Paddling Centre, Fish Hoek Main Road).  Dawid, a world Champion Paddler, coaches beginner, intermediate or advanced paddlers.

Also close at hand is Deep Sea Fishing, Kayaking (Simonstown Waterfront is a favourite), Squash Courts, Surfing, Tennis Courts, Kite Surfing and also a Gym (The Zone)

SHOPPING

Kalk Bay has become well known for its quaint, unusual boutiques.  If you visit OhSoBoHO, India Jane, Mystique, or Big Blue you are guaranteed to find something special.  It also has wonderful art galleries and antique shops.  Look out for fresh fish at the harbour.

Simonstown has some great art galleries and some wonderful clothing shops which can all be found on the main road strip and at the Simons Town Waterfront.  They are all worth a visit, depending what you are after.
Fish Hoek has a Pick n Pay store in the Arcade which will see to your grocery needs. Fish Hoek also has all the major banks, a pharmacist, chain stores, camera shop, stationery shop, Woolworths Food Stall and various fast food outlets.

If you are looking for a mall for more comprehensive shopping then Longbeach Mall in Sunvalley is your best bet.