• Province: Western Cape
•  Coordinates; 33.963°S 18.382°E
• Area; 1.35 km2
• Municipality; City of Cape Town

Bakoven is a small coastal suburb on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, situated between Camps Bay and Oudekraal along Victoria Road (M6). It lies about 7 km south-west of Cape Town’s city centre, tucked between the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean. Bakoven is the last residential area before the protected coastal nature reserve that stretches toward Hout Bay, and is known for its rocky coves, small beaches, and scenic oceanfront setting.

History of Bakoven

Bakoven’s history differs slightly from neighbouring Clifton, as several permanently occupied homes existed here as early as the mid-1800s, particularly around Glen Beach. One of the early families in the area was the Paarman family, whose descendants remained closely connected to Bakoven for generations through fishing, diving, and surfing.

For many years, it was a stable seaside community, with several residents descended from the original builders of the coastal bungalows that still characterise the area today.

Bakoven also holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Muslim community. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, the secluded ravines near Oudekraal provided refuge for escaped slaves. Among them were Muslim spiritual leaders who had been exiled to the Cape after resisting Dutch colonial rule in the East Indies. These leaders continued teaching Islam in secret, helping to preserve the faith at the Cape.

The name “Bakoven” comes from Dutch and refers to an offshore rock formation said to resemble a baking oven. The suburb marks the last residential stretch along the Atlantic Seaboard before the protected fynbos areas toward Oudekraal and Hout Bay. The coastal road linking Bakoven and Hout Bay is one of Cape Town’s most scenic and well-travelled routes.

The postcode for Bakoven is 8005

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Useful Numbers in Bakoven

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities in and around Bakoven

• Police: Camps Bay 021 437 8150
• Traffic department:
• Fire: 107 or 021 480 7700
• Water: 0860 103 089
• Electricity: 0860 103 089
• Ambulance: 10177
• Post office; Camps Bay 021 438 9640
• Closest hospital/clinic; Dr Anderson Surgery 00 324 901
• Pharmacy; Camps Bay Lite kem 021 438 2088
• SPCA: Cape of Good Hope 021 700 4140
• Library: Camps Bay 021 444 0487
• Closest schools;
• Camps Bay Primary 021 438 1503
• Camps Bay Prep 021 438 8075
• Camps Bay High 021 438 1507
• Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town emergency numbers
• The City of Cape Town Public Emergency Communication Centre is available 24/7 For all life or property-threatening emergencies. Call 021 480 7700 from any phone or 107 from a landline or report online at https://bit.ly/3o4Ji3K