Gordon's Bay
Description
Gordon’s Bay is a picturesque harbour town in the Western Cape. Its central location, just 40 minutes’ from Cape Town, makes it the ideal base from which to explore all of the Cape’s premier tourist attractions. Gordon's Bay boasts beautiful beaches, enjoys a Mediterranean climate, and provides the ideal seaside holiday. Extend your stay by booking one of our tasteful Gordon's Bay establishments.
Originally called “Fish Hoek" many years before the current town with the same name, Gordon’s Bay is the smallest of three towns in the Helderberg region. Evidence of the town’s previous name can be seen on the outside wall of the local post office in Gordon’s Bay. Another claim to fame includes the Steenbras Dam, located above the town, which is the primary source of Cape Town’s drinking water.
Gordon’s Bay is made up of the old village situated around the old harbour, Bikini Beach, the mountainside on the lower slopes of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, and the low lying suburbs closer to the main beach that make up the most recent expansion of the town. The older part of Gordon’s Bay is host to the South African Navy’s Naval College located next to the old harbour and yacht marina. Above the harbour, you will find a giant anchor with the mysterious letters “GB". Most people who visit the town incorrectly assume that these letters stand for “Gordon’s Bay", although it actually stands for “General Botha", which was the original name of the Naval Station.
While you’re in Gordon’s Bay, be sure to allow a day for immersing yourself in the warm sands of the spectacular beaches, characterised by rock pools and shallow paddling areas. Bikini Beach is a lovely little beach in Gordon's Bay that is popular among teenagers, specifically female students from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, after which the beach has been named. It has acquired Blue Flag status and enjoys funding from the City of Cape Town to maintain its facilities including clean bathrooms, public showers, changing rooms, and a grassy promenade. The beach has regular patrols from a seasonal security guard.
Gordon’s Bay boasts an impressive selection of accommodation to accommodate the large influx of tourists who visit Gordon's Bay particularly during the summer months. These accommodations range from modern guest houses and B&Bs to lodges and self-catering establishments. In addition, a variety of top notch restaurants, shopping malls, and amenities are available in Gordon's Bay to ensure that neither the business traveller nor the holidaymaker be left lacking during their visit.
Experience all that Gordon’s Bay has to offer by booking one of the fantastic accommodations.