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CAPE PENINSULA |
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Cape Peninsula Accommodation, Cape Peninsula Businesses, Cape Peninsula History and Cape Peninsula interesting Information and historical facts about Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Simons Town and Hout Bay
MUIZENBERG FISH HOEK SIMONSTOWN HOUT BAY
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The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km (47 mi) into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent.
At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. On the northern end is the famous Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town, South Africa. The peninsula was once an island, but about sixty million years ago it was joined to the mainland by the emergence from the sea of the sandy area now known as the Cape Flats.
The towns and villages of the Cape Peninsula now form part of greater Cape Town. The Cape of Good Hope is sometimes given as the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. However, according to the International Hydrographic Organization agreement that defines the ocean boundaries, the meeting point is at Cape Agulhas, about 200 km (120 mi) to the southeast.
MUIZENBERG - (For Muizenberg Accommodation go to Muizenberg Accommodation )
Situated on the False Bay Coast, Muizenberg is known for the colourful changing huts that grace many postcards, and has gloriously long beaches that stretch 20 kilometres round the top of False Bay to the Strand.
Muizenberg is also known for the imposing cliffs that guard the town, which are a favouriste with hikers and climbers - as well as birds, which nest on the ledges.
The warm Mozambique currents of the east coast ensure that the Muizenberg water is considerably warmer than on the western Atlantic coast. As a result, Muizenberg has always been a very popular destination for both holiday-makers as well as day-trippers.
The stunning wide sand beaches, turquoise-blue water and one of the bays best sheltered from the wind on the Cape
FISH HOEK - (For Fish Hoek Accommodation go to Fish Hoek Accommodation )
Delightful Fish Hoek, is only 30 minutes outside Cape Town city and is a charming little seaside village in False Bay with loads of tourist attractions within a 20-30 minute radius.
Fish Hoek is renowned for its friendly hospitality, proximity to all sorts of tourist attractions and activities besides boasting one of the best swimming beaches in the Cape. There is also a good suburban railway [1] link with Cape Town to the north and Simon's Town to the south. As a coastal suburb of Cape Town, Fish Hoek is popular as a residence for commuters and holidaymakers alike. The traditional industries of 'trek' fishing and angling co-exist with the leisure pursuits of surfing, kayaking, sailing and sunbathing.
Fish Hoek is known as a 'dry' town - there are no retail liquor outlets in the suburb. This is an old law that was introduced at the time when wagon deliveries to Simon's Town were common - it was introduced to prevent the drivers from stopping off for a drink (or two or three) and arriving in an intoxicated state in Simon's Town
SIMONSTOWN - (For Simons Town Accommodation go to Simons Town Accommodation )
Simon's Town (often incorrectly spelt as "Simons Town") is located at the east side (False Bay side) of the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town, South Africa and is home to the South African Navy.
The town is named after Simon van der Stel, an early governor of the Cape Colony. The land rises steeply from near the water's edge and the picturesque village is boxed in along the shoreline by the heights above.
The small harbour itself is not a particularly good natural harbour and is protected from swells by a breakwater that was built with thousands of huge blocks of sandstone quarried out of the face of the mountain above.
HOUT BAY - (For Hout Bay Accommodation go to Hout Bay Accommodation ) Houtbaai was named by the Dutch explorers, which literally translated means Wood Bay. The timber was used to help build Cape Town.Hout Bay still enjoys a rural atmosphere with several equestrian estates and small holdings. Hout Bay has become very popular as a seaside resort town with its unique location at the start of the Atlantic Seaboard and yet still only thirty minutes drive from most of Cape Towns top attractions.
Hout Bay is recognised as one of South Africa’s leading destinations for local tourists and has become a popular place for international tourists to base their South African holiday. A growing bed and breakfast industry supports the demand from holidaymakers. Hout Bay, also known as "Dungeons" to the surfing community, is one of the sixteen recognised big wave spots around the globe. The annual Red Bull Big Wave Africa competition is held here. Swells of up to 47 feet (14 m) have been recorded here as well as numerous deaths as a result of boating, diving and surfing-related incidents in the area.
Hout Bay harbour is a worthwhile visit, as there are spectacular views of the bay and boat rides to Duiker Island and around the Sentinel. Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the world's most scenic mountain drives and has recently undergone renovations to ensure the safety of travellers using the route.
Cape Peninsula Accommodation, Cape Peninsula Businesses, Cape Peninsula History, Cape Peninsula Information, Cape Peninsula Intersesting Information, Cape Peninsula Historical facts about Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Simons Town, Hout Bay
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