Gordon’s Bay is one of our fastest growing destinations for family holidays. Sheltered at the foot of the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland mountain ranges, with sea views over False Bay, Gordon’s Bay is a friendly seaside town with plenty of reasons to visit all year round. From animal encounters and adventure activities, to lazy days on the beach and winter carnivals, Gordon’s Bay has it all!

We’ve rounded up some of the best family-friendly activities, restaurants, and places to stay in and around Gordon’s Bay.

Youngsters have their say

We couldn’t have given you a family guide without first asking the kids what they like about Gordon’s Bay. Here’s what our recent holidaymakers had to say…

“I really like Gordon’s Bay. It’s very nice to catch fish with my dad at the harbour. We even saw a seal swimming in the harbour. We love to play in the sea and on the beach. The Spur makes nice food.” – Gustav (8)

“I really like the little shops that we can walk in and out of. I also like the ice-cream shop; the people there are always friendly. There is also a big bookshop with all sorts of books. The sea is ice cold, but I swim as if it’s warm. There is also the nicest pathway along the beach that we walk along every evening. And when it’s time for the sun to set, we go and have something to drink at the harbour. The sea is the best!” – Carla (10)

“We like Bikini Beach. There’s lots of things to do there like paddling and fishing at the harbour. We also love going to the mall. When we were smaller, Monkey Town was always lots of fun.” – Daniel (16) and Dylan (13)

FREE ACTIVITIES

Bikini Beach

Named for the bikini-clad students who frequent its sands, Bikini Beach is a small Blue Flag beach with excellent changing room facilities, security guards and lifeguards on duty during peak season, and a grassy area for those who don’t enjoy sand in their sandwiches.

Bikini Beach is a great choice on windy days, because it is sheltered by the harbour wall on one side and the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the other. It’s an excellent swimming beach as the water is usually clear, calm, and warmer than other parts of Cape Town. Fishing off the harbour wall is a popular pastime, and the beachfront is lined with restaurants, coffee shops, and curio shops.

With 2 marinas, Gordon’s Bay is becoming known as the “Monte Carlo of the Cape”. Yachts and cruisers love to anchor in the Bikini Beach cove and from the shore you can hear the delightful sound of laughter and splashing. The cove is often visited by dolphins and Sammy the Seal is a regular source of entertainment as he lolls about or chases his catch of the day. Gordon’s Bay is also at the beginning of the Whale Route, so you’ll sometimes spot whales in season (July – November).

Beach Road, Gordon’s Bay | GPS: -34.165660, 18.859094

Gordon’s Bay Beach

Gordon’s Bay beach is a long, white sandy beach close to several shops and eateries. It’s clean and safe, and you’ll find toilet facilities next to the Spur and shower facilities on the beachfront to wash off the sand and sea water. What’s a beach without an ice-cream parlour? Uncle Barry’s will see to it that there are lots of chocolate and vanilla stained smiles.

Beach Road, Gordon’s Bay | GPS: -34.157692, 18.867862

Bikini Beach Books

Not for the OCDs out there, this quirky second-hand bookshop is lined almost floor to ceiling with books of every shape and interest. The books are really affordable and the shop is worth perusing for its décor, maze-like appeal, and resident ginger cat.

41 Beach Road, Gordon’s Bay | Open: Daily, 09:00 – 21:00

Danie Miller Hiking Trail

The Danie Miller Hiking Trail is a fairly easy walk from Aurora Drive up to the GB sign. The ± 7km trail follows the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and takes about 90 minutes for a round trip. You’ll enjoy great views of the Helderberg and False Bay. Please practice safe hiking habits by only hiking in groups.

Aurora Drive, Gordon’s Bay

Braai at Klippies Bay and Sparks Bay

Klippies Bay and Sparks Bay are popular braai spots between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els. The sites are great alternatives to Kogel Bay Resort, which is less than 2km away, but isn’t free for day visitors. There are several braai spots to choose from, great mountain views, and good swimming and fishing. The tidal pool at Sparks Bay is especially busy in summer. No dogs are allowed and visitors need to be aware of baboons.

Clarens Drive (R44) | Klippies Bay GPS:  -34.244271, 18.853451 | Sparks Bay GPS: -34.250399, 18.856123 | Closes at 18:00

Fishing

If your kids are early birds, take them for a sunrise fishing session on the Gordon’s Bay harbor wall. There are also good spots for catching fish along Clarens Drive – spots easily identified by the cars parked along the side of the road and the rods peeking out behind the rocks – but the waves can get rough and dangerous here.

Walkway

The pathway along Gordon’s Bay beach is a popular walk with soul-restoring views. You’ll likely find yourself dipping your toes in the ocean and looking for shells strewn along the beach sand.

Helderberg Farm Play Park & Farmyard

Less than 18km from Gordon’s Bay, Helderberg Farm is a fun family venue with a play park, petting zoo, tea garden, dam, picnic and braai spots, strawberry picking (September – December, closed on Sundays), and hiking, biking and 4×4 trails.

While Helderberg Farm charges fees for certain activities, entry to the play park and farmyard is free, so bring the littlies along to feed the chickens, ducks, bunnies, and goats. Animal feed is available at the kiosk. The forest walk is popular for older children.

Klein Helderberg Road | GPS: -34.032491, 18.833907 | Open: Daily, 08:00 – 18:00 | +27 (0) 21 855 4308 | [email protected]

IT’LL COST YA

Adventure activities at Helderberg Farm

Helderberg Farm also has action-packed games like off-road go karting, paintball, and laser tag. While paintball is recommended for older children, laser tag is ideal for kids from as young as 7, but there’s nothing stopping granny and grandpa joining in the fun too.

Cost:

• Free entry to play park and farmyard.
• Braai & picnic spots: R40 per adult, R25 per child aged 5 – 18. R40 for a braai drum.
• Laser tag: R140 per player, minimum 12 players. Non-players pay an entrance fee of R25 per adult and R16 for children 7 and older.
• Gravel karts: R279 per person, minimum 15 people.
• Paintball: please enquire

Klein Helderberg Road | GPS: -34.032491, 18.833907 | Open: Daily, 08:00 – 18:00 | +27 (0) 21 855 4308 | [email protected]

Contact:

• Gravel karts: +27 (0) 82 784 7562 | [email protected]
• Laser tag: +27 (0) 74 188 8777 | [email protected]
• Paintball: +27 (0) 82 566 5308 | [email protected]

Rent a Bicycle

Explore Gordon’s Bay in a new way! Ranked as the number 1 attraction in Gordon’s Bay, Rent a Bicycle has bikes for the whole family – baby chair included – and they’ll drop off and collect wherever you are. Rental includes a helmet, spare tube, pump, and safety light.

Cost:

• Full day (24 hours): From R150
• Kids bikes full day: R85
• From R300 (2 days) – R1050 (7 days)
• Guided Family Tour: R550 per person
• Other guided day tours: From R460 per person

Unit 125, 58 Tony Crescent, La Fontana, Gordon’s Bay | Open: Daily, 07:00 – 19:00 | +27 (0) 79 438 3916 | [email protected]

Waterworld Strand

Waterworld Strand is a water park next to the beach in Strand, only 8km from the centre of Gordon’s Bay. They’ve added new solar heating, kiddies’ rides, and shady coverings so you can spend even more time enjoying the water slides. You’ll also find a paddling pool, trampolines, jungle gyms, a fuffi slide, grassy picnic area, and undercover picnic tables. Other facilities include toilets, change rooms, life guards, and the Waterside Café.

Cost:

• R60 for 1 hour (R10 for spectators)
• R70 for 2 hours (R15 for spectators)
• R90 for a full pass (R45 for spectators)

196 Beach Road, Strand | Open: Weekends, school holidays, and public holidays from 09:00 – 18:00. Weekdays from 13:30 – 18:00. | +27 (0) 21 854 4701 | [email protected]

Monkey Town

Monkey Town is home to 28 exotic species of monkeys, apes, and lemurs, including local celebrity chimp sisters Tammy, Ruby, and Sunny. Enjoy educational tours, close animal encounters, the Cheeky Monkey Pub & Grill with kiddies’ menu, play park with swimming pools, and a huge braai and picnic area.  There are also koi ponds, many species of birds, and small antelope roaming the premises.

Cost:

• Cheeky Monkey Pub & Grill: Entry is free and you can spend time on the deck or in the garden. Children under 12 years have free access to the play park.
• Swimming in season is an optional extra at R30 per person. Tickets available at the cashier.
• Monkey Town entry & guided tour: R85 per adult; R65 for pensioners, students, and teens; R45 per child aged 3 – 12; R20 per child aged 1 – 2.
• Combo special (Monkey Town plus braai and pool area): R110 per adult, R70 per child aged 3 – 12, and R20 per child aged 1 – 2.

Mondeor Road, Somerset West |Open:  Daily, 08:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0) 21 858 1060 | [email protected]

Stony Point

The 35 minute drive to Stony Point Penguin Colony in Betty’s Bay is a worthwhile outing to see penguins up close. Stony Point is one of only 2 shore-based breeding colonies in South Africa, with the more famous one being at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. A wooden boardwalk takes you to the nesting burrows without causing damage to the habitat. The best time to see the penguins is in the early morning or late afternoon when they return from their fishing expeditions.

Cost: R10 per person

4274 Wallers Road, Betty’s Bay | GPS:  -34.371141, 18.891892| Open: Daily, 09:00 – 17:00

Vergelegen Wine Estate

Wine tasting may not seem like an ideal family outing, but Vergelegen knows how to cater to both kids and their parents – who sometimes just need a good glass of wine. And Vergelegen doesn’t just stop at extensive gardens, giant fairytale trees, and a kiddies’ play area. The Stables Restaurant has a great “Little VIPS” menu and in the summer (November – April from 12:15 – 13:30) you can order picnic baskets to enjoy in the gardens. Vegetarian and kiddies options are available.

Don’t miss these Vergelegen family events:

• Noddy’s Christmas Party at Vergelegen: 4 – 6 December, and 10 – 13 December 2014
• Carols by Candlelight: 17 December 2014

Costs:

• Entrance: R10 per adult and R5 for pensioners and scholars. Pensioners enter free on Mondays.
• Garden tours: R20 per person
• Wine tastings: R30 for 6 reserve and premium wines;  R10 for flagship wines
• Picnic baskets: R199 per person (excluding gratuity and beverages/wine) and R95 per child aged 3 – 10.

Vergelegen Avenue, Somerset West | GPS: -34.076882, 18.888847 | Open: Daily, 09:30 – 17:00 (excluding Christmas, Good Friday, and Workers Day) | +27 (0) 21 847 1334 | [email protected]

Wildlife Encounters at Cheetah Outreach

Cheetah Outreach raises awareness of the plight of the cheetah and has a number of activities for visitors, from a free tour of the facility to cheetah runs and close encounters with cheetahs, meerkats, and bat-eared foxes. You’ll find a gift shop and coffee shop at the entrance.

Costs:

• Entrance fee: R10 per person on weekdays, and R5 per person on weekends and holidays.
• Meerkat Encounters: R60 per person
• Bar-eared Fox Encounters: R60 per person
• Adult Cheetah Encounters: R130 per adult and R80 per child
• Cheetah Cub Encounters: R240 per person
• Cub Walks:  R750 per person. Pre-booking essential.
• Public Cheetah Runs: R80 per person. R210 per person including an adult encounter. R300 per person including a cheetah cub encounter.

Heartland Paardevlei, De Beers Avenue, Somerset West | Open: Daily, 09:30 – 17:00 | +27 (0) 21 851 6850 / +27 (0) 82 768 8967 | [email protected]

TAKE THE TEENS

Crystal Pools

Crystal Pools is a popular and, at times, challenging hike in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The 2 hour trail follows the Steenbras River Gorge to a series of 4 natural mountain pools where you can swim, picnic, and relax. There is little shade, so bring sunscreen, caps, and water bottles! Please note: No children under the age of 12 are permitted.

Important! The trail is only open from November to the end of April. Visitors need a permit to enter the area. Group sizes have a limit of 3 – 10 people.

How to make an electronic booking:

• Email your name, group size, contact number, and date you wish to visit the area to [email protected]. Wait for confirmation and a provisional booking.
• Make an electronic payment. Email proof of payment to [email protected] from your email account – not from the bank account.
• Your electronic permit will be emailed to you. Print out your permit and take it with you when you visit the nature reserve.

Cost: R60 per person

Clarens Drive (R44), between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els. Parking is past the bridge, on the right-hand side. | Emergency Tel: +27 (0) 21 957 4725 ext. 241 3061 | [email protected]

WINTER HIGHLIGHT

Winter Wonderland: Every year in June, the whole village is lit up with fairy lights. Several events, including a funfair, are held to highlight Gordon’s Bay’s “secret season”. Gordon’s Bay faces due north over the sea and is protected from the North-Wester by the Helderberg Mountains, so the village is surprisingly warm in the winter – often about 2°C warmer than Somerset West even!

TOP 5 CHILD-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS

Sunset Bay Spur

A fairground is erected on the grassy area in front of the Sunset Bay Spur during the summer holidays, so look out for this extra dose of fun from the beginning of December. Children love the kids menu, but even that doesn’t keep them still for long, because the secure and well-monitored Play Canyon has so many games and activities to enjoy.

Trawlers Seafood

Trawlers Seafood is a popular fish ‘n chips take-away with great sea views. Their most popular menu items are the calamari and the seafood platters, which can feed a family and offer great value for money. Children love the kiddies’ box, made up of fish fingers, chips, juice, and a toy. The owner’s mom is often seen entertaining children on the stoep with bubbles and sweets, giving parents a little break.

Enjoy your meal around the outdoor tables or take your meal to the beach and treat the seagulls to your leftovers (there probably won’t be any). On cold and windy days, the blinds are let down to create a cosy restaurant atmosphere. Please note that Trawlers Seafood only sells cooldrinks, but you’re welcome to bring your own glasses and bottle of wine.

Mondeor Restaurant

A short drive across the N2 highway is Mondeor Restaurant, a family friendly restaurant with a huge supervised playground and splash pool. Mondeor is a popular venue for birthday parties and has a great “no rush” philosophy. In their own words, “All our meals are made with freshly prepared ingredients…so please be patient and use the opportunity to bond with your partner, children, and friends.” The kiddies menu ranges from a basic white bread sandwich to hotdogs, chicken strips, burgers, and make-your-own pizza.

Antonio’s Pizza Place

Antonio’s Pizza Place is a laid back family restaurant on the harbour’s edge, with outdoor seating for sunny days and sunset views. They have a small kiddies menu with fish fingers, chicken strips, and sloppy joes…and what kid could resist their very own pizza?!

Ooskus Fisheries

Ooskus Fisheries is a favourite seafood take-away for many locals. You’ll find great value for money menu options like family platters and the Monday fish/calamari burger special.

TOP 3 FAMILY ACCOMMODATIONS

The Boardwalk Accommodation

All ages are welcome at The Boardwalk Accommodation, a 3-star self-catering accommodation at Harbour Island. A quick step out of your front door and you’re greeted with typical harbour scenes of moored leisure crafts and local fishermen bringing in their catch. The facilities are very good for families with young children. Access and exits are very secure and need adult activation, offering great peace of mind. The 2 restaurants below The Boardwalk, Bertie’s Moorings and Antonio’s Pizza Place, cater for youngsters with kiddies’ menus.

69 Berg Street

69 Berg Street is a beautiful 2 bedroom self-catering apartment in the “Old Village” of Gordon’s Bay. The apartment has a private little garden and braai area, and a babysitting service can be arranged. Little legs won’t have to walk more than 2 minutes to get to the main beach, shops, and restaurants.

Ooskus Self Catering Holiday Home

If your family holiday isn’t complete without your furry companions, Ooskus Self Catering Holiday Home has space for 8 adults, 2 kids, and your pets. Ooskus is a large holiday home with entertainment facilities such as a games room with pool table, freestanding bar, indoor braai area, pizza oven, and satellite TV. The beachfront is only 100m away, while Bikini Beach is a short 5 minute drive.

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What other family friendly attractions would you recommend in Gordon’s Bay?

Feature image by Bill Davies