Explore Cape Town

Beaches in Cape Town are known for their crystal clear turquoise waters and soft white sand, both of which can be seen from Simon’s Town Guest House. There are 3 Blue Flag beaches in Cape Town, signifying an above average level of cleanliness, facilities and quality of the water.

Family beaches run along False Bay on the Eastern side of the Cape Peninsula and include Glencairn Beach, only a 5 minute walk from the Simon’s Town Guest House and Muizenberg Beach, the popular Surfers spot 15 minutes drive away.   The False Bay beaches are known for warmer waters whilst the Atlantic Seaboard beaches are considerably colder.  You can enjoy a magnificent sunset from Noordhoek Beach only 10 minutes drive from Simon’s town Guest House.

Ocean activities abound with surfing spots catering to beginners and advanced lovers of this sport.  Blouberg Beaches with spectacular views of Cape Town and Robben Island keep kite boarders and windsurfers occupied or if you are after a more romantic experience, go horse riding on the 7km stretch of beach in Noordhoek or explore Hout Bay beach with its quaint harbour and yacht club.  Beaches in Cape Town are some of the most beautiful in the world and Simonstown Guest House is nestled within easy access of all of them.

Big 5 Safari experiences in Cape Town can be found in private game reserves and wilderness areas a couple of hours drive from Simonstown Guest House – offering exquisite game viewing opportunities.

The Big 5 which South Africa is known for includes Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard.  Most of the Wilderness areas in and around the Cape Peninsula are focused on the unique flora of the region as well as small mammals, primates and antelope – but for the Big 5 you will have to travel a little further afield.

Aquila Private Game Reserve is just 2 hours from Cape Town, Garden Route Game Lodge and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve are all within a day's drive from Simonstown Guest House.  These 3 reserves offer the traditional Big 5 Safari experience with game drives, guided walks and educational talks on the animals and the environment which they occur in.  Simonstown Guest House has all the information on these reserves and more for you to peruse on your stay with us.

The Cape Peninsula which includes Cape Town and of course Simon's Town Guest House, is the collective name given to the South Western tip of the African Continent.  Characterised by steep cliffs dropping off into the cold Atlantic Ocean to the West and the warmer Indian Ocean to the East, the Cape Peninsula is known as the "Gateway to Africa".

Quaint seaside towns like Hout Bay, Kommetjie, Kalk Bay and Noordhoek have visitors lost in them for hours exploring vintage shops, art galleries and miles of open beaches.  Award winning restaurants can be found dispersed around the Cape Peninsula and the greater Cape Town areas as well as wine farms and distilleries.  Table Mountain National Park and Cape Point mark the southernmost point of the Cape Peninsula where you can explore unique indigenous flora and fauna.  If it is a more vibrant, energetic atmosphere you are after indulge in a cocktail in Camps Bay, watching the sun set from a trendy sidewalk cafe.

Cape Peninsula is also known for its multitude of outdoor activities. Surfing, hiking, mountain biking, diving, sailing and deep sea fishing, to name a few – are available to visitors to the Cape Peninsula, Cape Town and are all accessible from Simon's Town Guest House.

Cape Point cannot be missed on a trip to Cape Town and is a short 15 minute drive from Simon's Town Guest House.  Forming part of the Table Mountain National Park, Cape Point has been named a World Heritage site - rightly so with 250 species of birds and over 1 100 different plant species indigenous to this area, some of which aren't found anywhere else in the world.

Overlooking the area where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, the strongest lighthouse in Southern Africa beams a warning to ships using this route – sadly 26 shipwrecks bare evidence that the seas around Cape Point are not to be underestimated.

Whale and dolphin watching (in season) can be done from the 249metre high cliffs while walking and hiking trails within the reserve treat visitors to a  plethora of other small mammals and reptiles which call Cape Point their home. Catch the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the highest point, have a meal at the Two Oceans Restaurant which boasts spectacular views, or browse through the curio store for souvenirs to complete your visit to Cape Point in Cape Town before returning to the peace and tranquillity of Simon's Town Guest House.

Golf in Cape Town is a scenic experience offering challenges for every level of golfer.  Simonstown Guest House is just minutes away from the Clovelly Country Club, a challenging course but unique in its beautiful setting and abundance of indigenous flora and fauna.  5 minutes drive in the opposite direction is the unique Simonstown Golf Course overlooking False Bay.  Golf clubs in Cape Town range from established parklands courses to links layouts and can be found dispersed around the Cape Peninsula.

The oldest Club in the country is at Royal Cape Golf Club – established in 1885 this course offers players dramatic mountain views and, if it's windy, a challenging round of golf.  Other courses which are within a short drive from Simonstown Guest House are the Steenberg Golf Estate, Westlake and Rondebosch Golf Clubs, while towards the city of Cape Town the Mowbray Golf Course has hosted many high profile competitions and has magnificent views of Table Mountain and Devils Peak.

Courses further afield include the Durbanville, King David and Belville Golf Clubs and are all characterised by rolling landscapes and are professionally tended and managed.  Erinvale Golf Course was designed by Gary Player and is counted as one of the top courses in the Western Cape.  Simonstown Guest House offers the perfect location from which to explore these magnificent courses, making golf one of the highlights on your visit to Cape Town.

Hiking & Walking in Cape Town is a very popular past time with locals and visitors alike.  From Simonstown Guest House you have an array of different trails to choose from, bearing in mind that the weather in the Cape can be unpredictable, making it extremely important to prepare in advance.

Table Mountain National Park which stretches from Cape Point and includes the famous Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill – forms the highlight of Hiking &Walking in Cape Town.  Fynbos, lush forests, waterfalls, mountain backdrops and sea views are just some of the gems which you have to look forward to not to mention the prolific birdlife and fauna which, in some cases, can only be found here and nowhere else in the world.

Hiking & Walking in Cape Town is made difficult by the sheer choice.  Popular trails are Signal Hill, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Lion's Head and the Cape of Good Hope Trail which is a 2 day, 40km trail through the reserve.   Simonstown Guest House will be happy to assist you in deciding which trail is best suited to your abilities and needs – ensuring you are left in awe of our beautiful country and all its scenic treasures.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town – known the world over for its beauty and diversity in floral life is an easy, scenic drive from Simonstown Guesthouse.   528 Hectares of cultivated gardens, natural forests and Fynbos makes this botanical garden unique in that it only allows plants indigenous to South Africa to be cultivated.

An indoor greenhouse supports species which are sensitive to climate change while outside; themed areas include the Water-wise, Fragrance and Medicinal gardens which help to educate visitors and enhance the Environmental Education Program already being implemented.

Visitors looking for some adventure can climb Skeleton Gorge to the top of Table Mountain or follow one of the many marked trails meandering through the gardens and natural forests on the lower mountain slopes.  The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town has four restaurants which offer an array of food items and function venues while summer concerts on the lawns are extremely popular and shouldn't be missed while staying with us at Simonstown Guesthouse.

Table Mountain is a Cape Town icon, stretching 3km from end to end and towering 1 886 metres above the city, it even forms part of a World Heritage Site.  No stay at Simonstown Guest House is complete without a trip to the top of this international landmark.

Take a short 6 minute ride to the top of Table Mountain in the rotating cable car, enjoying 360 degree views over Cape Town, Table Bay and Robben Island.  Once at the top viewing points, prolific birdlife and 2 200 endemic species of plants will keep you busy exploring, although  things become a little difficult to see if the famous "table cloth" descends on the mountain while you are still up there.

For the more energetic there are around 350 different trails up the mountain, Platteklip Gorge being the easiest and most direct route which takes anything from 1 to 3 hours depending on your level of fitness.

Sundowners on top of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean would be a highlight for any visitor to the Cape.  Simonstown Guest House encourages all guests to make a trip up the mountain one of their priorities – especially when the weather is warm and clear.

The Winelands region of Cape Town is a must for any visitor to Simonstown Guest House, regardless of whether you enjoy wine or not.  Magnificent scenery, rolling vineyards, orchards and majestic Cape Dutch style homesteads characterise the Winelands region, making it very popular with international as well as local travellers.

South Africa is known as a world class wine (both red and white), sherry, brandy and port producing country which also boasts the largest number of Fairtrade certified wineries in the world. The Winelands are split up into different regions, each of which offer their own recommended "wine route", the most popular regions being Stellenbosch, Wellington, Paarl and Franschhoek.

Simonstown Guest House is a 15 minute drive from Constantia Valley, a well known wine route which incorporates Groot and Klein Constantia – both beautiful wine farms produce award winning, well known wines.  Set in a lush valley the estate dates back to 1685 and shouldn't be missed. Wine lovers will not be disappointed with the Winelands of Cape Town.

Scenic flights in Cape Town offer a unique way to experience the dramatic landscapes and beautiful scenery which the Cape is known for.  You have a choice of flying in a helicopter, fixed-wing aeroplane, microlight or in a hot air balloon.   Cape Town is also one of the only places in South Africa where you can experience what it is like as a passenger in a supersonic military jet – such variety in aircraft is hard to come by anywhere else.

Helicopter scenic flights leave from the V&A Waterfront, allowing guests beautiful views over Cape Town harbour, Robben Island and the Atlantic Seaboard.  Fixed-wing aeroplanes take people further afield to Cape Point and False Bay allowing passengers the unique opportunity to view whales from above.  Hot air ballooning is available in the Winelands in the summer months, treating guests to magnificent views over this beautiful area of the Western Cape.

Cape Town is packed with scenic beauty and flying offers an alternative to capturing all of this from a different perspective.  Simonstown Guest House will help you organize and book any scenic flights in and around Cape Town you may wish to experience.

Skydiving in Cape Town offers the thrill of jumping out of an aircraft from 9000ft above the ground in a tandem jump.  An added bonus of skydiving in Cape Town is the view of the magnificent coastline of the Western Cape which includes looking down on Table Mountain and Robben Island, a unique experience only a few people can boast about.

Tandem jumps are done with an instructor from 9000ft after a 15minute brief on the ground.  Freefalling for 25 to 30 seconds at 200 kilometres per hour will give even the most hardened adrenalin junkie a rush to remember.  Static line jumps are also available along with skydiving courses which will have you jumping out the aeroplane alone from about 3000ft above the ground.

Skydiving in Cape Town is only 45 minutes drive from Simonstown Guesthouse, so for those guests interested in experiencing the Cape scenery from a different perspective, be sure to book your spot skydiving.

Experiencing a township tour in Cape Town will give you insight into a big part of South African culture and although townships are mostly made up of poor even destitute people – the vibrancy and energetic atmosphere leaves many visitors motivated to help.

Guided tours through various townships in the Cape Town area are available, the most popular being of Langa and Khayelitsha the biggest and second biggest in South Africa. Full and half day tours are available which will take you to local schools, traditional pubs called shebeens and will show you first hand how a large portion of the poor in South Africa live.

The closest townships to Simonstown Guest House are Red Hill Informal Settlement and Masiphumelele.  A close relationship exists between Amanda and the locals of these townships so don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have regarding safety and precautions to take on a township tour in Cape Town.

Robben Island situated just off the Cape Town coast has been a place of banishment, imprisonment and isolation since the 17th century.  More famously known for being where the former South African President and activist Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 20 years.  Robben Island is now a historical monument signifying the struggle against the apartheid government lasting from 1960 to 1991.

Declared a World Heritage Site, your trip includes a tour of the prison and actual prison cell where Nelson Mandela was held along with a tour of the island itself with its penguin colonies and lime quarry.  The apartheid museum also gives visitors graphical insight into how the prison was run during the struggle and how the prisoners still fought a brave fight from inside this maximum security prison.

Leaving from the V&A Waterfront, trips to Robben Island in Cape Town have to be booked in advance, which Simonstown Guest House will gladly do on your behalf.