Cape Town - Kalk Bay

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

Geography and History

Kalk Bay is a fishing village on the coast of False Bay, in the Western Cape province of South Africa and is now a suburb of greater Cape Town. It lies in a beautiful setting, wedged between the ocean and sharply rising mountainous heights. A literal translation from the Dutch/Afrikaans name "Kalkbaai" is "Lime Bay". Many of the surrounding caves were formed below the water table, where water chemically weakened the structure of the sandstone and streams bore the loosened grain of sand away.

Essentially a fishing village, Kalk Bay is still a lively working harbour and one of the best places to buy fresh fish straight off the boat.

The railway from the central business district of Cape Town to Simon's Town passes through Kalk Bay and in some places the line is only metres from the water's edge.

Accommodation

Kalk Bay has a variety of accommodation options available from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units.

Activities

For the tourist, Cape Town offers a variety of activities and attractions, such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, Ratanga Junction Theme Park, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, craft markets, the BMW Pavilion, IMAX Theatre and numerous shopping centres.

Kalk Bay is also home to the famous surf spot named "Kalk Bay Reef". This is renowned for heavy barrels and the associated shallow reef. It is best surfed on a big South-Easterly swell or a North West wind.

Restaurants

There are many restaurants on offer to suit every visitors budget. There is a great selection of restaurants, coffee shops and pubs to choose from!