Gordon's Bay is a harbour town in the Helderberg Region, close to Strand and about 50kms from Cape Town. Gordon's Bay comprises of the old village, situated around the old harbour and Bikini Beach, the mountainside on the lower slopes of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains overlooking False Bay, and the low-lying suburbs close to the main beach.
The South African Naval College, an officer training centre is next to the old harbour and marina. The giant anchor and the letters ‘GB’ on the mountain actually stand for General Botha (the original name of the naval station). The Steenbras Dam, one of Cape Town's suppliers of drinking water, is on the mountain above the town.
CLIMATE
Cape Town has a Mediterranean-style climate with cool, wet winters, and warm, dry summers. The average summer temperatures are 24ºC with January and February averaging 26ºC.
Cape Town’s climate is a collection of micro-climates of which the Helderberg region has more than one. Apart from air pressure, wind and temperatures, the cold current, mountains, and built-environment are additional factors that influence the local weather. Check with the forecasts for the daily weather.
The front view of Table Mountain is famous for its tablecloth, the south-east wind blows cool air off the sea which is forced up over the mountain, this air condenses into clouds which ‘spill’ over the front. The tablecloth is a good indicator that the southeaster (the prevailing summer wind) is blowing and that the beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard are a better bet than those in False Bay.
WHEN TO GO
For beach and sightseeing holidays the summer months are best from October to April, however, in both April and October the weather is variable and unpredictable. Winters are mild with temperatures in the range of 8ºC and 17ºC but winter is the rainy season. There is something to be said for a warm fireside, sipping the Cape’s award-winning red wines, while the wind and rain rage outside. Winter is also whale-watching season. December/January is the time most South Africans take their annual holiday and the summer break for school children, so booking is often essential.
FAUNA & FLORA
The transition between mountain and flatter land, clearly marks the change in vegetation. There are patches of Afromontane forest in the kloofs of the mountains, on the higher and lower slopes, the fynbos is characterised by large protea bushes and as the land gets flatter so does the vegetation with Strandveld fynbos growing on the ‘Flats’ to the west. There are literally hundreds of flowering species.
Fynbos comprises four major plant groups:
● Proteas: large shrubs with broad leaves
● Ericas: heath-like, low-growing shrubs
● Restios: reed-like plants; are the only group that are found in all fynbos habitats
● Geophytes: bulbs; these include watsonias and disas both of which occur mainly in wetland areas and are prominent after fires.
Fynbos is fire dependent and needs to burn around every 15 years to stimulate new growth and ensure that plant and animal communities remain healthy. If it does not burn in about 20 to 30 years it stops producing seeds which could cause the extinction of some species. If fire is too frequent due to human intervention seed banks are depleted which can change the diversity of plant species in the area.
There are nearly always flowers to be seen. Ask the Fynbos Guy what is currently flowering on the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg Mountains.
The Helderberg region is mostly built up or is covered with wine farms so large mammals are no longer abundant in these regions. Small antelope such as klipspringer, steenbok and Cape Mountain Zebras have been reintroduced into the bigger reserves. There are small interesting and often endemic animals such as mongoose, otters, tortoises, snakes, lizards, frogs and toads which can be observed especially in the nature reserves. It is trendy for large private landowners to form conservancies and or private reserves on their farms.
REPTILES
Look out for the bright blue-headed Southern Rock Agama, the prehistoric looking Black Girdled Lizard and the Cape Skink.
There are some interesting endemic and endangered Amphibians, look out for the Cape Chirping Frog, Cape River Frog, the endangered and the tiny Arum Lily Frog.
Two species of tortoises are common, the Angulate Tortoise and the Parrot-beaked Tortoise.
There are 22 snake species, ten of which are non-venomous, although they can still deliver a nasty bite if provoked. Some of the venomous species include the Cape Cobra, the Puff Adder, Boomslang, Rinkhals and Berg Adder. The good news is it they are mostly shy and will avoid human contact. The one you are most likely to encounter is the Puff Adder which enjoys nice warm spots, such as rocks and pathways (best to keep out of its way).
INSECTS
Insects play an integral role in the fynbos ecosystem either by directly pollinating plants or as a vital source of nutrient for birds and animals. Some are especially adapted to pollinate specific plants. Look out for butterflies such as the Mountain Pride Butterfly that is the exclusive pollinator of a variety of red plants such as the red disa, and the red crassula.
BIRDS
The many niches and habitats that exist (ocean, shoreline, cliff-face, rocky highland, fynbos, forest and suburbia) contributes to a large species count, as does the geographical positioning at a continent's corner, many vagrants and seasonal visitors can be spotted.
For a full bird list or birding checkllist see the SANparks website or for further information on birding in the Cape, contact: The Cape Bird Club on +27 21 559 0726 or www.capebirdclub.org
THINGS TO DO
Bikini Beach
Bikini Beach is one of Cape Town’s top beaches and is popular as it is well protected from the wind. The facilities include the public showers, changing rooms, clean bathrooms and a grassy promenade. The beach is also considered safe with regular patrols from a seasonal security guard. The beach slope is steep so waves are large and powerful. Surfers ride the left-hand break off the wall.
Bikini Beach is not really considered a dive site, but suitable for training exercises if the waves are not too big. The beach slopes fairly steeply in the surf zone, then flat sand bottom with reef of small scattered rounded boulders.
Reef dive with shore access
Maximum depth about 3m.
Gordon's Bay Main Beach
Main beach is a long stretch of sandy beach, with calm shallow waters. There is a rocky shoreline with pools, gullies and coves for paddling and swimming. Also known as sunset beach for its spectacular sunsets over the mountains across the bay.
Hendon Park
A municipal coastal resort with chalets and caravan and Camping sites. Includes a recreation park with a waterslide, go-kart track and putt-putt (mini golf). Mostly a rocky shoreline with a sandy beach that merges with Gordon’s Bay Main Beach.
Faure Marine Drive, Gordon’s Bay
+27 21 856 8161
Harmony Park
This day resort has a huge tidal pool with waterfalls, islands, blowholes, artificial rock pools and bays. There is also a natural beach. It is a popular area for picnicking and fishing (permit required).
resort.bookings@capetown.gov.za
+27 21 850 4172
Harbour Island
Harbour Island is an exclusive housing development with luxury hotel and its own waterfront. The restaurants are open to the public.
Steenbras Nature Reserve
The Steenbras Nature Reserve (about 9kms from Gordon’s Bay)
Activities include a hiking trail, abseiling, kloof jumping (run by external company), whale watching, scenic drive and fishing (permit required). Visitors must have a pre-booked and paid permit to enter the area. No permits will be issued at the entrance to the gorge. Steenbras River Gorge is only open from 1 November to the end of April and will be closed during the winter period. Hiking permit applications by e-mail only (nowhere else). Steenbras.NatureReserve@capetown.gov.za
Open: 7.30am to 4pm
Faure Marine Drive (R44) also known as Clarence Drive about 9km from Gordon’s Bay
The Kogel Bay Resort offers camping and caravanning facilities on the beachfront.
+27 21 850 4172
Hiking Trail to Crystal Pools
The trail starts at the river mouth in the Steenbras River Gorge. The path starts out fairly easy after a quick walk down to the valley floor it follows the river up the valley. The path is well marked. There are jumps off the cliffs into the pools. Do not dive into the pools.
To ensure your permit (as the number of people is limited) e-mail your name, group size, contact number and date you wish to visit the area to steenbras.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za. You must present your permit at the gate.
Abseiling and Kloofing (canyoning)
Experience a full day of adventure with a 65 m waterfall abseil, canyoning (also known as kloofing) with jumps from 3 to 22 metres high. Spend the day jumping off rocks into pools in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve which is characterised by pristine fynbos, beautiful scenery, towering cliffs and rock pools. Do not do this without qualified guides. An organised tour is the way to do this, they will also organise all the necessary permits.
Contact Abseil Africa
+27 21 424 4760
- Hottentots Holland Mountains
- Helderberg Mountain
- Scenic Drives around the coast on the R44
- Blue Flag Beaches including Bikini Beach in False Bay
Gordon’s Bay is named after Robert Jacob Gordon (1743–1795), the Dutch explorer of Scottish descent. Gordon's Bay was originally named ‘Fish Hoek’, many years before the town of the same name, on the western side of False Bay, was founded.
