Gordon's Bay is a suburb of greater Cape Town, and on the east side of the Strand. it is situated between False Bay and the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountain range. This seaside town offers visitors a variety of activities and attractions in the immediate vicinity and within a short drive which include Cape cuisine and fine scenery.

Get in

From Cape Town, take the N2 eastwards, exit to the Strand and drive further along the coast, or turn off directly to Gordon's Bay at the bottom of Sir Lowry's pass.

Devon street

Do

View of Bikini beach and the old harbour from a dive boat headed out to the reefs.

• Sailing cruises: Gordon's Bay Yacht Club is in the old harbour - you can take a sunset cruise on a sailing yacht; relax and sip wine; and watch the evening glitter of the ocean whilst listening to water lap the side of the boat. Other options include deep-sea fishing trips or a simple boat ride. One can also enjoy fresh seafood at the Old Harbour at its restaurants.
• Neaco: If you are planning on spending some time out in the sun, Gordon’s Bay has long stretches of white, sandy beaches. Here one can enjoy peace of mind with safe and protected bathing, though it may be windy in summer. The beaches are suitable for sunbathing, snorkeling, jet and water skiing, surfing, volleyball, sailing and rubber ducking (riding small inflatable powerboats). Several cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and curio shops can be found along the beachfront in the form of the Gordon’s Bay beachfront promenade.

Nearby, to the south of the old harbour, is the smaller and more secluded Bikini beach where you can enjoy a safe and protected swim and enjoy the sunshine. Other beaches in the area include Melkbaai, Sunset Beach and Kogel Bay.

View of the Yacht Club

• Fishing charters: You can charter a fishing boat or angle from the breakwater or shoreline. You might even catch some fish.
• Scuba diving is available when the weather permits, which is mostly in summer in Gordon's Bay, but there are some good days most seasons. There are scuba diving schools in Gordon's Bay and in the surrounding area where one can be trained and certified. There is often somewhere within a day-trip range where the conditions will be suitable for diving, from the Cape Peninsula to Hermanus. Do not be put off by the wind if it is from the southeast, the diving is often at its best during or after offshore south easterly winds, and the dive sites are almost all close inshore where it is sheltered from the wind below the steep mountainside. The dive sites are all on rocky reefs and are suitable for all levels of diver.
• Golf: There are nine golf courses within about a half hour's drive: Pearl Valley, De Zalze at Spier, Stellenbosch, Devonvale, Somerset West, Strand, Erinvale, Bosch-en-Meer and Arabella.

Buy

Ordinary day to day goods and some souvenirs are available within the town, and a much larger range a little further afield at Strand and Somerset West. The County Craft Market has more than two hundred stalls, and offers its customers a diverse range of handcrafted arts and crafts. Somerset Mall, a fifteen-minute drive from Gordon’s Bay, is a large upmarket shopping mall with a large range of supermarkets and boutiques.

Eat

Harbour Island, the waterfront development, offers several restaurants – which include Snappers Restaurant, Dutch Bar, and the Star Fish Café – one can enjoy a light lunch, have an early evening drink, or dine adjacent to the sea. All of these lively or intimate venues are tailored to cater for an international clientele.

• Mi Casa Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, 157 Beach Rd, ☏ +27 21 856-3128. A comfortable restaurant near Bikini Beach in Gordon's Bay. They have a wide variety of menu items and cocktails. 

Sleep

• Fynbos Self Catering, 90 Chapman Ave, ☏ +27 21 856-1824, fax: +27 21 856-1824, brianc@isoft.co.za. A holiday house and garden flat with Uninterrupted views of mountains and sea. From R200 per night for two. 
• 1 Berg en Zee Guesthouse, 135 Beach Rd, ☏ +27 21 856-3095, fax: +27 21 856-4080, info@bergenzee.co.za. Check-in: 14h00, check-out: 11h00. Elegant and comfortable Gordon's Bay guesthouse with sea views from every room. Situated just 50 metres from the beach and in walking distance to restaurants. Children welcome. From R425 per night per person. 

Go next

• Pringle Bay - up the coast towards Kleinmond and Hermanus
• Strand and onto Somerset West or Stellenbosch