Hi, I’m Debbie Smuts from The Grosvenor Guest House in Simons Town on the False Bay Coast.
Simons Town IS BEST KNOWN FOR for its penguins at Boulders Beach, great white shark diving, whale watching, hiking in the Cape Point National Park, boat trips, kayaking, steam train trips from Cape Town to Simons Town, the working Naval base and of course ‘Just Nuisance’.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Boulders Penguin Beach or next to ‘Just Nuisance’s’ statue on Jubilee Square.
THE BEST landscape PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the site of ‘Just Nuisance’s’ grave.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the yacht basin with the navy ships in the background from Jubilee Square.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO admire the view and kayak in False Bay.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO visit the many antique stores and antique clothing stores, have coffee and a fruit tart at The Sweetest Thing, then curl up in front of the fire with a good Cabernet and watch the coming and going of ships, tugs and yachts in the naval base.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS from March to September, BECAUSE the days tend to be less windy, the evenings are magnificent and the whale season is so special!
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS Meeting Place. Situated in the heart of Simons Town, The Meeting Place is a perfect place to spend a few hours relaxing and reading the newspaper – or you can just watch the world go by.
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Seaforth situated on Seaforth Beach – the views are beautiful; the perfect spot for lunch. The food is pretty tasty too.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Just Sushi, TRY THE Sushi Salad. The restaurant is in the waterfront area with beautiful views of the yacht basin. The address is St Georges Street.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM Café Pescados. Located in the old Criterion Cinema opposite Jubilee Square, Café Pescados serves a variety of dishes from breakfast, summer salads, seafood main courses, pasta and desserts. You’ll definitely find something tasty!
MY FAVOURITE Sunday lunch SPOT IS Cafe Roux in Noordhoek. This is a family friendly, popular outdoor / indoor restaurant renowned for great food and great atmosphere. Make sure you book a table, especially if you are going on a Sunday.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Polana in Kalk Bay. With live music on a Friday night it attracts punters from all over. A very festive night out!
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO go to the local 2/Sixpence pub.
Simon’s Town’s BEST KEPT SECRET IS the walk to the beautiful waterfall.
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS picnic on the beach during a beautiful summer sunset.
FOR SOME LIVE MUSIC, I LIKE TO GO TO The Farmhouse – “Farmhouse Rocks”.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO sit on my veranda which overlooks False Bay and just be or sip a cup of tea at The Tibetan Tea House.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY Great White shark diving off Seal Island.
MY FAVOURITE DRIVE IS around the Cape Point Reserve.
MY FAVOURITE pastry / coffee shop SHOP IS The Sweetest Thing patisserie situated in the towns’ second oldest building!
MY FAVOURITE whale WATCHING SPOT IS on Grosvenor’s balcony.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN April, JOIN IN THE FUN AT the South African Naval Festival.
MY FAVOURITE MUSEUM IS Simons Town Museum, Simons Town Naval Musuem and the Heritage Museum. CHECK OUT THE submarine!
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS the old naval ship yard FOR ITS beautiful stone work.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS Boulders Beach – swim with the penguins and spot seals off the rocks then stroll down to the toy museum. Don’t miss the ‘Scratch Patch’ outside town.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS a picnic on Boulders Beach.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, book a great white shark dive then take the Water Taxi from the Quayside and dine at Harbour House in Kalk Bay. Return and perhaps spot a whale!
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS The SA Naval Base – visiting war ships, submarines, cannons firing!
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS right here!
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I donate to ‘Bobs for Good’ and always use ‘Fishers Den’ caterers from Ocean View for traditional Malay seafood dinners.
I Love Simons Town because of its tranquillity, magnificent views and quiet consistency – she is False Bay’s true beauty!
Useful Simons Town Links
- Simons Town Attractions
- Things to Do in Simons Town
- Simons Town Accommodation
- False Bay Coast Accommodation
- Western Cape Accommodation
- Find Accommodation in South Africa
Desirable Digits
The Sweetest Thing – +27 (0)21 786-4200
The Meeting Place – +27 (0)21 786-1986
Seaforth – +27 (0)21 786-4810
Just Sushi – +27 (0)21 786-4340
Café Pescado – +27 (0)21 786-2272
Café Roux – +27 (0)21 789-2538
Polana – +27 (0)21 788-4133
