EXPLORE Gordons Bay

Gordon’s Bay is an idyllic seaside town located in the picturesque Helderberg and Cape Winelands region. It is a two harbour town with excellent, long Blue Flag beaches and a Mediterranean climate. 

A traveller’s paradise with a beachfront and two harbours where many pubs, cafés and restaurants can be found. Shopping malls and accommodation of plenty, Gordon’s Bay offers travellers all that is necessary for a relaxed, seaside holiday. The one harbour is the town’s original working harbour that is still used for fishing and maintenance of boats and yachts. It is also home to the Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club, National Sea Rescue Institute and the SA Navy, while the new Harbour, situated in Harbour Island, is home to the Gordon's Bay Boat Angling Club.

Gordon's Bay is the perfect destination from which to explore the many world-class attractions that the Western Cape has to offer. Often referred to as South Africa’s own mini Monte Carlo, Gordon's Bay’s location is prime. A 40 minute drive from some of the best the Cape has to offer, be it the vibrant living of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek’s scenic wine routes, whale watching in Hermanus and even Ostrich Ranches in Oudtshoorn.  

Named after Robert Jacob Gordon, a Dutch colonel, explorer and acting governor of the Cape, this seaside town holds many of its own treasures. The spectacular Clarence Drive travels from Gordon's Bay to Betty’s Bay where travellers can find some of the best designated whale watching spots. The Steenbras dam also has magnificent views over Gordon's Bay and is the perfect spot for a picnic. 

Crystal Pools, a secret amongst the locals, is situated off Clarence Drive where you can take a day trip filled with hiking, waterfalls and rock pools. Further upstream from Crystal Pools in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve towards Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond, you can find Palmiet River, another local treasure where you can swim, hike and have a picnic along the river. A perfect day activity for a hot summers day, among many others.

Set on the coast, the popular Bikini Bay beach, along with many ice cream shops, cafés and restaurants, Gordon's Bay is home to a nostalgic book shop where it is possible to find anything from Mad Comic books to cassette tapes and old vinyl. Besides lazing on the beach, there are many markets that take place on weekends around the area and the famous student town of Stellenbosch is just a 20 minute drive. 

Gordon’s Bay is a combination of the classic and the modern with accommodation that is fitting for travellers from all walks of life with varying budgets. From hotels to guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and self-catering apartments, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to accommodation in Gordon's Bay, just as you are for things to do.