Simon's Town is a maritime naval town and home to the African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach where humans and penguins share the sand and the sea. The swimming is fabulous – flat, calm and the warmest water in Cape Town as it is protected by giant boulders. The main viewing area has viewing platforms and boardwalks.

Charming Simon’s Town is steeped in history and tradition. It was named after the governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel - upon whose recommendation the Bay was used by the Dutch East India Company for winter anchorage. There are 4 museums in Simon’s Town.

The area known as the "Historic Mile”, is the heart of the town, boasting a great variety of architecturally interesting buildings, good restaurants (seafood is the speciality), antique shops, galleries and fine walks. Boat trips head off in different directions from the Simon’s Town jetty - harbour cruises, Seal Island boat trips, high speed boat trips to Cape Point or even whale watching and great white shark cage diving boat trips. Alternatively try sea kayaking in a stable sea kayak from Simon’s Town jetty.

At the edge of Simon’s Town you will find Mineral World, South Africa’s largest gem stone factory where you can "scratch" for your favourite gems and experience the magic of minerals. A very short distance beyond is the town of Glencairn, which is a hidden gem, with a great family beach, a wetlands area and a meeting place for most activities on the Cape Point Route. Here you will find the Cape Point Route information office and a dive centre.

Click below to listen to more interesting info on Simon’s Town.

  SAFM - Simon's Town.wmv

Simon’s Town Accommodation:
Simon’s Town accommodation is plentiful but sought after. Reserve your Simon’s Town accommodation early. Find and Book Simon’s Town Accommodation, Simon’s Town Guest Houses, Simon’s Town Bed & Breakfast and Self Catering Accommodation in Apartments, Cottages, Holiday Houses and Villas in Simon’s Town. More…

Simon’s Town Restaurants:
Simon’s Town has a vast array of local and international cuisine. Seafood dining is often the speciality but you will find everything from fine dining to Italian & Japanese in Simon’s Town. More…

Boulders Beach Penguin Colony, Simon’s Town:
Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town has become famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins. Elevated boardwalks to Foxy Beach provide excellent viewing opportunities for penguins and whales. Giant granite boulders protect the beach area – perfect for safe swimming and one of the best family beaches in the world. Boulders is a pay for entry beach to protect one of the worlds only land based penguin colonies. More…

Just Nuisance and Jubilee Square, Simon’s Town:
Jubilee Square has a statue of Able Seaman Just Nuisance, a great dane dog that befriended the Royal Naval sailors during World War 2 and was buried with full military honours. He has become a Simon’s Town mascot. There is an African curio market on the cobbled Jubilee Square, which has paid parking bays. More...

Simon’s Town Waterfront, Simon's Town:
This small and tasteful centre boasts an interesting variety of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a hotel with conference facilities. More…

Simon’s Town Beaches:
Millers point is a family friendly recreational area, it has a children’s tidal pool, snorkeling, scuba diving and a boat launching slipway.  Fisherman’s beach with its grassy slopes is a small secluded family beach in Murdoch valley.   Seaforth Beach is an ideal family setting, natural swimming bay and picnic lawn.  Boulders Beach - swim at this safe family beach with the African penguins.   Foxy Beach is the main breeding colony of penguins.  Long Beach is the walking, doing, playing beach of Simon’s Town. Glencairn Beach for kitesurfers, windsurfers, paddlers, snorkelers and families love this beach. Great for a sneaky swim! More…

Roman Rock Lighthouse, Simon’s Town:
South Africa’s third oldest lighthouse and the only one built on a rock! A true Simon’s Town landmark. More...

Simon’s Town Boat Trips:
Boats head off in various directions from the Simon’s Town jetty and cover harbour tours, whale watching, shark cage diving, pelagic birding, seal island and trips to Cape Point. More...

Seal Island, Simon’s Town:
Seal Island in False Bay is home to 74 000 Cape Fur Seals, 24 bird species and is a natural hunting ground of the Great White Shark, where you can do great white shark cage diving or viewing – leaving from Simon’s Town harbour. More..

Simon’s Town Museums, Simon’s Town:
There are 4 museums in Simon’s Town reflecting the history of Simons’ Town and many churches of Historical significance. 
Simon’s Town Museum, Simon’s Town: Depicts the history of the Simon’s Town community, past and present, with an emphasis on the town’s diversity of origins, cultures and religions.  Guided tours available. Simon's Town Museum offers regular walking tours of the historic town centre.
Heritage Museum, Simon’s Town: Discover the rich heritage of the Muslim generations of Simon’s Town.
Warrior Toy Museum, Simon’s Town:This museum showcases a unique collection of toy cars and trains, dolls and lead soldiers.
The South African Naval Museum, Simon’s Town: Archives both British and local naval history and houses a submarine diorama. The museum is the custodian of the Martello Tower.
Church of St Francis, Simon’s Town: This is the oldest Anglican church in South Africa. More...

Simon’s Town Golf Club, Simon’s Town:
Overlooks False Bay and offers you the experience of an uncrowded 9 hole golf course with unsurpassed sea and mountain views. Be careful to avoid any African penguins that may be cruising the fairways. More...

Mineral World & Scratch Patch, Simon’s Town:
Take a fascinating tour through a gemstone tumbling factory, scratch for your own gem stones at the  scratch patch (a family favourite) and browse through the unusual jewellery and gift shop. More...

Bronze Age Sculpture House & Bronze Age Art Foundry, Simon’s Town:
Bronze sculpting is a unique art form with complex techniques. Visit this working foundry or take lessons for something completely different.

Simon’s Town Sea Kayaking, Simon’s Town:
Get close to the water in a stable sea kayak and visit the African penguins from the water. More...

Whale Watching, Simon’s Town:
Simons’ Town land based viewing of Southern Right Whales (also Humpbacks and Bryde’s whales) from June – November, or you can get up close and personal on a whale watching boat trip. More...

Deep Sea Fishing, Simon’s Town:
Big game fishing (including various tuna species) and inshore game and reef fishing for yellowtail or snoek. Fishing charters operate out of Simon’s Town harbour in False Bay. More…

Simon’s Town Shopping, Simon's Town
Art galleries, book shops, antique shops, curio shops, craftwork and clothing are all found in Simons’ Town. More...

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