Summertime - and the Living is Easy - at Seaside Cottages

Read our rave reviews about summer holidays at Seaside Cottages and Fish Hoek Beach! Choose to stay at Seaside Cottages for these reasons:

“If you like swimming in the sea with the protection of a really cool bunch of lifesavers, a shark net and shark spotters, on a clean beach to dry off on.”

“It's a beautiful sandy beach with stunning views. Lots of locals walking their dogs. Close to restaurants and shops. Great for an afternoon by the sea.”

“It’s way beyond my expectations! Fish Hoek is absolutely amazing with awesome views! The town is like a time portal, panoramic sea views, sights of ocean life, submarines and Navy ships.”

December Holidays at the Seaside

Fish Hoek Beach is one of Cape Town's most popular coastal destinations - the beach is a perfect spot for swimming, sunset views, and a range of water activities, including paddle boating, surfing, and bodyboarding. During peak season, safety is prioritized with lifeguards, shark spotters, and a shark exclusion net.  Find it along Beach Road, alongside the lively main road lined with restaurants and shops.

The beach also offers convenient amenities, such as a quaint restaurant and takeaway, an emergency boat launch site, a yacht club, a surf ski club, partial disability access, and parking for up to 600 vehicles. Dog owners bring their mutts of all shapes and sizes to one section of the sand for four-legged social gatherings at all times of the day.

Fish Hoek Beach is loved for its warmer waters in the calm False Bay - a drawcard for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. A small drawback is that they attract more sharks than beaches along the Atlantic seaboard. Lifeguards and shark spotters are on duty throughout the busy summer months to ensure visitors' safety. The Great White Sharks are scarce these days but some Bronze Whalers cruise the bay for yellowtail in season.

At the top of the beach, Jager’s Walk promenade runs alongside rocky outcrops and tidal pools, offering a scenic route for walkers and prime whale-watching opportunities from June to November. To the north lies Clovelly Beach, a quieter, pet-friendly stretch of sand popular with local fishermen and dog walkers.

From Seaside Cottages, Clovelly Beach is a stone’s throw away, on the Silvermine estuary. Its soft white sands and serene atmosphere provide a peaceful escape from the busier Fish Hoek side of the bay. Framed by ancient dunes, its warm waters are perfect for junior surfers, though the tides can be treacherous. Look out for playful dolphins in the surf while mating whales breach and rear their young from June to November – perfect for whale-watching holidays.

Travel the eastern seaboard of the Cape Peninsula to discover its unique charm, character, and stunning beaches. This coastline is a favourite summer escape for multi-generational families, a hub for creative types, and home to a unique blend of hipster vibes and surfer cool. Start your journey in Muizenberg, then follow the scenic coastal road through Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, all the way to Simon’s Town. Or, for a more relaxed experience, hop on the safe blue train – for a picturesque journey into the heart of the area’s charming seaside villages.

Elsies Peak Hikes and Flowers

If you love hiking in the great outdoors, try the scenic and accessible 4.2km circular trail up to Elsies Peak. This easy walk takes you to the peak and is named after the indigenous rooiels trees that once grew here. Cunonia capensis, the butterspoon tree, butterknife tree, African red alder, red alder or rooiels, is a small tree found in the afromontane forests of southern Africa, and along rivers. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens for its attractive glossy foliage and its clusters of tiny, scented, white flowers.

Meanwhile, the trail is straightforward, with clear markings and rock steps in certain sections, and can be accessed from either Fish Hoek or Glencairn. Suitable for both children and dogs, it also blends in a few steep sections and cold winds. The reward, however, is the refreshing scent of fynbos and breathtaking panoramic 360-degree views. From the top, you can take in the entire stretch of False Bay, all the way to Strand and Gordon’s Bay, then back around to Noordhoek and even a tiny spot of Kommetjie.

Simon’s Town Navy and Penguins

Set off on a canoe trip around Simon’s Town as a fantastic way to explore the scenic False Bay coastline. The penguin kayak tour starts at the waterfront, passing the naval harbour and heading towards Boulders Beach, where you can spot penguins and other marine life from the comfort of your kayak. Depending on the tide and timing, you may even get a chance to stop for a snack and take a dip in the clear waters. While summer is known for warm days and water, it also brings the southeaster winds, which can make kayaking a bit challenging. Winter, on the other hand, offers calmer, windless days that are perfect for kayaking – and there’s a good chance of spotting whales while you're out on the water!

Things to Do in False Bay  

• Outdoor adventures: boat trips, kayaking, surfing, whale watching, shark cage diving, snorkelling, or ocean safaris
• Visit beaches: Muizenberg, St James, Fish Hoek, and Simonstown - or swim in the Dalebrook, Wooley's, Glencairn or Miller's Point Tidal Pools 
• Browse for antiques: Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simonstown  
• Play golf: tee off at the Clovelly Golf Course 
• Cafes and Restaurants: Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Glencairn, and Simonstown for charming seaside coffees and a bite to eat
• Swim across the bay: Take one of the two 34 km swim routes across the bay, starting from North East to South West and ending in the Cape Point region 
• Harbours: the photogenic Kalk Bay and Simonstown Harbours 
• Nature Reserves: Cape Point, Silvermine and Soetwater - all part of the Table Mountain National Park.

Seaside Cottages are waiting for you this summer. Pull in for some fun in the sun on Fish Hoek Beach!