Gordon’s Bay

• Province: Western Cape
• Coordinates:34°10′00″S “18°52′00″E
• Area: 9.67 km2
•    Helderberg
• Municipality; City of Cape Town

Gordon’s Bay lies on the north-eastern edge of False Bay in the Helderberg area of the City of Cape Town, about 45 km from central Cape Town and just beyond Strand. It sits between the lower slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and the coastline, with the R44 (Clarence Drive) beginning here and running along the scenic coastal route toward Rooi-Els and Pringle Bay. The N2 highway provides direct access inland via Somerset West.

History of Gordon’s Bay

Early days

Gordon’s Bay is a suburb in the Helderberg area (formerly Hottentots Holland) of Cape Town. It was originally called Visser’s Bay. Around 1673, it was called De Vishoek or Combuys in 1676. Here was a place where there was fresh water and game to be found.

Origin of the name

The area was called Fishhoek before the other Fishhoek on the other side of False Bay was named. Evidence of this older name can still be seen on the wall of the Gordon’s Bay Post Office
The current name commemorates Robert Jacob Gordon, a Scottish man who studied in the Netherlands, joined the Dutch Light Dragoons and rose through the ranks. He joined the Dutch East India Company and was the Commandant of Dutch troops at the Cape between 1777 and 1795. Gordon learned to speak both Hottentot and Xhosa. He went on many expeditions and kept accurate journals. He also named the Orange River and is responsible for the introduction of Merino sheep in South Africa.
In 1773 Gordon named “his bay after he visited it while exploring the mountains between Cape Town and False Bay on foot.

The older part of Gordon’s Bay includes the South African Naval College, a junior officer training centre adjacent to the old harbour and yacht marina. The large GB letters against the mountainside do not stand for Gordon’s Bay. The letters stand for General Botha, the name of the  Naval Officers’ Academy. In the early 20th century, the SATS General Botha training base was established in the town.

The license plate prefix for Gordon’s Bay is CEY. The postal code is77140(street) and 7151 (boxes)

WEATHER IN GORDON’S BAY TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in GORDON’S BAY

Things to see and do in Gordon’s Bay:

• Bikini Beach has  Blue Flag status.
• Steenbras mountain pass

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

Useful Numbers

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

• Emergency Services

• Police: 021 856 2677
• Fire: Strand-021 444 7600
• Ambulance:10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital; Mediclinic Strand-021 854 7663
• Gordon’s Bay Clinic-021 444 9315
• Pharmacy; BAY-KEM PHARMACY-021 856 1388

• Municipal & Utilities

• Water:0860 103 089
• Electricity:0860 103 089

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department: 021 856 8570
• Community & Safety
• NSRI 087 094 9774
• SPCA: Animal Welfare Society Helderberg-021 856 0597

• Local Contacts and Community Resources in

• Library:021 400 6371
• Post office;021 856 1283
• Residents Association;082 384 9699
• Museum: Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum-021 845 6119

• Schools in Gordon’s Bay

• Gordon’s Bay Primary School-021 856 1288
• Somerstrand College-021 856 2644

• Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency numbers HERE

• 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