Situated 30 minutes south of Cape Town and nestled between two mountains and two oceans along the False Bay coast, the village of Fish Hoek was established in 1918. Many lovely guesthouses are situated along this section of the coast, some with magnificent sea views and all within walking distance of the beach. Fish Hoek is well known for its beautiful long white sandy beach, one of the safest and warmest swimming beaches in the Cape, and has much to offer its visitors.

Elsie's Peak and Fish Hoek Beach

HISTORY

The Valley of Fish Hoek was created approximately a million years ago when the great waters of the continental shelf surrounding the Cape Peninsula subsided. The cold Atlantic and warm Indian Ocean embrace this rural lowland, with rugged, craggy mountains on either side.

Fish Hoek farm was granted to Andries Bains in 1818 by Lord Charles Somerset. After being sold several times it was eventually sold off as plots, thus founding the town of Fish Hoek. The original grant of 1818 stated that there should be no public wine-house, and this was carried over to the new town. This old law was introduced at the time when wagon deliveries to Simon’s Town were common and it served to prevent the drivers from stopping off for a drink (or two or three) and arriving in an intoxicated state in Simon’s Town. Under our new constitution the act fell away and the residents voted for restaurant and bar licenses.

Open boat whaling took place in Fish Hoek Bay from 1817 to 1868. Whale watching has now become one of the great attractions of Fish Hoek and they can be seen close in to shore between August and November.

Annual Catamaran Race to

Cape Point and Back

THINGS TO DO

Fish Hoek can boast not only about a long stretch of white sandy beach, but of being one of the safest and warmest swimming beaches in the Cape. Reached through a secure parking area, this magnificent beach is great for swimming, snorkeling, Catamaran sailing and paddle-skiing. The beach center offers fine restaurants, change rooms, showers and a children's playground.

The Fish Hoek Surf Life Savers Club offers canoeing and surfing, and both club and international life saving events are frequently held here. The Fish Hoek Beach Sailing Club offers wonderful facilities for Catamaran sailing and boasts five Catamaran World Champions.

Visitors are sometimes treated to the sight of the local fishermen ‘trekking’ (the Dutch word for pulling) for haarders and yellowtail fish off Fish Hoek beach.

WALKS

JAEGER’S WALK

You can take a relaxing stroll down Jaeger’s Walk, named after the first mayor of Fish Hoek but more commonly known as the "Cat Walk", which runs along the mountainside of Fish Hoek beach. Filled with many benches for taking in the view, Jaeger’s Walk wraps along the rocky coastline taking the visitor as far as Sunny Cove. Here too is where visitors can view the dolphins and whales that visit these shores annually.

Walking along Jaeger's Walk, Fish Hoek

PEERS CAVE

Peers Cave is a short climb up the dunes above 19th Avenue. The shallow cave was used by prehistoric man as a shelter. In 1926 Victor Peers and his son Bertie discovered many stone tools and the remains of nine people, one of whom became famous as Fish Hoek Man. The skull has the largest brain area of any skull of its age found up until that time. It has been dated at 12,000 years old. Peers Cave also affords wonderful views across the valley.

ELSIE'S PEAK

Elsie's Peak walk is for the more energetic. The view however is definitely worth the effort. Straight up Outspan Road to the top of the mountain is a protected area abounding with indigenous fynbos (delicate bush).

The Southern Right Whale

WHALE WATCHING

From July to October whales come into Fish Hoek Bay and loll around just 50 meters from the shore in preparation for mating and giving birth. Huge schools of dolphins are also sometimes seen. The elevated roads and parking bays provide excellent viewing sites.

WINERY

Cape Point Vineyards was planted from 1997 and has been producing award winning wines since it's inaugural vintage in 2000. Hand-picked and sorted at dawn, the grapes travel to the Fish Hoek cellar where they are whole bunch pressed and fermented in a mélange of imported French oak barrels. The wine, a distinctively "Cape Point Terroir" wine is characterized by its vanilla and lime wafts on the nose with a compelling lime cordial enticing the palate. It is released under the Scarborough and Cape Point Vineyards brands.