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Simon's Town is one of the oldest towns in South Africa and features some of the most beautiful scenery and historic buildings of the Cape colonial era. The establishment of the Naval base in 1806 lead to rapid growth of the town and, eventually, to the construction of the famous railway that winds its way along the length of the incredibly scenic coastline. A Simon's Town holiday is filled with tons of interesting things to see and accommodation is available around almost every corner.
History
Of all the historic monuments, unquestionably the most unusual is situated in the Jubilee Square: A statue dedicated to the only canine to ever serve in the Royal Navy. Able Seaman Just Nuisance was a Great Dane, beloved of the sailors at Simons Town Navy Base from 1937 to 1944. A bronze, life-size statue of AB Just Nuisance stands guard in the square, gazing out over the harbour beneath the square.
Holiday Accommodation
Simon's Town offers holiday accommodation ranging from self catering, chalets and cottages, apartments and suites or holiday houses and luxury villas. Apartments and suites seem to be the most popular choice among tourists. There are dozens of fully equipped apartments and suites available in Simon.s Town for holiday accommodation available all year round. The apartments are usually privately owned and the suites vary from hotel to guest house and have their own private entrances and a mini kitchen. Some of the top Simon's Town holiday accommodations are:
- Avian Leisure
- Bay Vista Garden Flat
- Bay View Heights
- Boulders Beach Lodge
- Glen Simon
- Glencove Lodge
- Hopkirk Guest Cottage
- Roman Rock
Activities
Jubilee Square also functions as one of the major official stops for the Argus Cycle tour, held every (month). This is the biggest cycle race in Africa, drawing thousands of athletes from around the world every year.
If you are the adventurous sort, the water in the bay is several degrees warmer and much clearer than the Atlantic Ocean, making it an ideal place for snorkeling, spear fishing and SCUBA-diving. There are many shipwrecks to explore, each bursting with life thanks to colourful corals, anemones and a myriad variety of fish that flash in and out of view amongst the majestic forests of kelp.
Call of the Wild
If sweating it out on a bicycle is not your style or if you visit at any other time of year, there are still plenty of adventures to be had. If you are a nature lover then you are in for a treat. The protected penguin colony at Boulders Beach boasts the largest breeding population of rare penguins in the world. Broad wooden bridges over the sand and bush allow you to see the penguins close up while keeping their sanctuary clear of human interference and damage.
The SANCOB shop and information centre provide information on the protected penguin population as well as souvenirs and information on all the rare birds that live along our beautiful coast.
The magnificent Cape Point nature reserve is just around the corner from Simon's Town. This unique national park boasts a host of indigenous wildlife, from baboons to dassies, as well as one of the highest sea-cliffs in the world at Cape Point itself. From the height of the cliff you can clearly see the line where the dark Atlantic and brilliant Indian oceans meet.
Another awe-inspiring natural phenomenon happens every spring almost within arm's reach of the shore. Sociable Southern-right whales frequent the sheltered waters of the bay during their breeding season and it.s almost impossible NOT to see a few frolicking near the surface scant meters away from the restaurants that overlook the Simon's Town beach. Some can even be spotted from windows of your holiday accommodation.
Eating Out and Shopping
No matter the weather, you can always be sure of a delicious meal at any one of the fabulous restaurants specializing mainly in all sorts of seafood. There is also an enormous variety of little shops and stalls offering everything from antiques and jewelry to designer clothing and comfortable surf and beach gear. There are also plenty of galleries and a renowned bronze foundry that casts and exhibits magnificent sculptures for some of the world famous artists who live and work in the area.
For all its variety, Simon's Town retains its historic, small-town feel making it the perfect holiday destination to explore all the best that Cape Town has to offer. Book your accommodation now.
Have a look at our current holiday rentals in Simon's Town or contact us about availability or our recommendations for an unforgettable Simon's Town holiday.
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