Bakoven – Colour Dots

Bakoven Beach

carynkaleido — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:02:04 +0000

Bakoven Beach is the residence of the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) earliest terminal, NSRI Terminal 2, which was established in 1967. The large boulders at Bakoven Beach shelter the beach from the wild cape winds. This is a perfect beach for Sunbathers wanting to suntan in a relatively silent spot away from the crowds. It is family-friendly with calm waters and safe swimming conditions for children. There are public restroom facilities nearby for visitors to use, but there are no lifeguards on duty. Bakoven beach beach has an interesting dive site with corals and a 1698 shipwreck Along with the cottages and bungalows in the village above the beach, it has been claimed as a Heritage Site. The beach gets busy during the season and parking is limited. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide Parking: Limited parking Lifeguards: No Swimming. Generally safe Fishing: Yes, it is a good spot for catching Galjoen, and Hottentot illustrated guide to sea fishing Dog walking; No Ablutions: Yes Beach type: secluded with strong currents and a rocky shoreline Check the tides here Best beaches in the Western Cape article Find our comprehensive Western Cape travel guide for things to see and do Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape. Learn more about the project HERE

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Golden Arrow Bus Service

carynkaleido — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:43:12 +0000

Golden Arrow bus service has passed 160 years of providing road-based public transport to the community of Cape Town. The company is in its present form the culmination of an unbroken chain of mergers and acquisitions. It is uniquely positioned as one of a few privately owned companies providing public transport services. Our weekly and monthly products are perfect for passengers who travel to work and home regularly. Weekly 10-ride products are valid for 30 days and monthly 48-ride products for 90 days. – See bus schedules here. Pensioners discount applies To get your pass please call 021 466 7000. hello@gabs.co.za

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My Citi bus

carynkaleido — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:05:46 +0000

My CiTi bus is a card-based system. You can get your My Connect card from station kiosks and participating retailers. Load points on your card and pay as you go. You could also try one of our unlimited travel packages. Tap in and out. Tap your card against the validator when you start and end your journey to automatically pay your fare. Children younger than four and under a metre tall travel free. MyCiti bus routes run across the city including the city centre, the Peninsula, and the Northern suburbs. There is also a bus that runs from the City Centre to the Airport, which is very convenient and affordable when compared to other transport options. View listed routes, here My CiTi bus runs throughout the day with scheduled stops at various locations all over the city. Check the route stop timetable here. transport.info@capetown.gov.za website .

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Oudekraal Beach

carynkaleido — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 11:10:26 +0000

There is evidence that the area around Oudekraal Beach was inhabited by Khoi people for centuries. They would fish in the waters and collect shellfish. In the 1600s, when Dutch settlers arrived, they used the area around the beach for grazing their livestock. “Oudekraal” means “old corral” in Dutch, which refers to the old livestock enclosures on the beach. In the 1800s, the beach became a popular destination for recreation Oudekraal is part of the Table Mountain National Park, which means there’s an entrance fee. The fee goes towards maintaining the site and protecting the natural environment. It’s one of Cape Town’s very few beaches requiring an entrance fee, but controlled access helps keep it clean, quiet and pristine Oudekraal Beach and gazebo is a small haven tucked away and surrounded by large boulders, which shelter it nicely. Swimming here is safe. However, there is a bit of a walk to get there. The beach is popular with scuba divers. Justin’s Caves are the attraction. These are some large boulders where fascinating sea life is abundant. Snorkelling and freediving are permitted, but you’ll require a permit for diving. The kelp forests and colourful scenery in the underwater caves are a great snorkelling opportunity. The wreck of the Het Huis te Kraaiestein (1670) is the oldest recorded on the Western Cape coast. Divers can venture out to visit the wreck, which ran aground on the rocks at Oudekraal. More recently, a swell causing a surge of extremely large waves dislodged the wreck of the Antipolis, a Greek Tanker built in 1959, which sank in July 1977. It was previously situated in a Marine Protected Area within the Karbonkelberg restricted area. The wreck washed ashore near the 12 Apostles Hotel. The Antipolis is unstable, and it is recommended that people refrain from climbing on the wreck and or diving near it. Shells can often be found on this beach, especially after winter storms and low tide. If you plan to collect shells, please follow local regulations and take only empty shells. Shell identification guide There’s also a seal colony called Strawberry Rocks along the shore. Above the beach, there are 35 well-maintained braai sites scattered over the area, Oudekraal is also significant to the Muslim community. Early in the 18th century, it was a refuge for slaves who had escaped from the colonial authorities and their masters. Muslim spiritual leaders who had been captured and brought to the Cape were among them. The Oudekraal ravines offered seclusion and safety and allowed them to teach and keep Islam going in the Cape. Between Bakoven and Llandudno, opposite the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa. The beach is safe for swimming but there is no lifeguard on duty. There are braai facilities available with a fantastic view of the ocean. It gets busy on weekends and public holidays, so arrive early to get a good spot. Alcohol is prohibited. Oudekraal is within Table Mountain National Park. There’s an entry fee, which goes towards keeping the beach in good shape. Parking: Parking is inside the beach area.Parking is limited, and there is no wheelchair access Dog-Friendly: Dogs are allowed as long as they stay leashed. Check the tides here The Gazebo The Gazebo at Oudekraal Beach is available for functions. The entire venue, which accommodates 350 people, can be hired. You may hold your wedding ceremony on the beach, but there are additional requirements which you’ll need to enquire about. There’s a gazebo with power points; it has a roof with no sides. There are built-in picnic tables that can accommodate up to 100 guests. Alcohol is permitted, and you’re allowed to play music on a CD player when you hire the area. If you’re on a smaller budget, the gazebo can be booked for your event between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. When the gazebo is booked, the rest of Oudekraal remains open to the public. It is closed during the week from 1 June to 30 September but is open every weekend and on public holidays, irrespective of the season. Call to make a booking for a function or event, and to enquire about pricing Oudekraal Beach and Gazebo, Victoria Road, between Llandudno and Camps Bay TableM@sanparks.org

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Victoria Road

carynkaleido — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 09:41:43 +0000

Atlantic Seaboard Scenic Route Victoria Road is one of Cape Town’s most scenic coastal drives, running along the Atlantic Seaboard between Sea Point and Hout Bay. It follows the curve of the coastline beneath Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles, with the ocean on one side and steep mountain slopes on the other. The route connects a chain of well-known suburbs including Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camp’s Bay, Bakoven and Llandudno. Victoria Road also has historical significance. Parts of the route were developed in the late 1800s under engineer Thomas Bain, originally to connect Cape Town with growing coastal settlements such as Camp’s Bay and Hout Bay. The alignment follows the natural contours of the coastline, which is why the road feels so curved and organic in its design. It was completed in 1888, using convict labour. and named in honour of Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1888. Victoria Drive, despite various improvements, still substantially follows Bain’s original course Today, it is used by commuters, cyclists, tour buses and visitors exploring the Atlantic Seaboard. The hop-on hop-off bus route and the MyCiti buses also follow sections of Victoria Road, making it one of the easiest ways to experience the coastline without a car. Find Victoria Road on the Map This is not just a commuter road. It is a continuous scenic experience, with long stretches of uninterrupted ocean views. In places, the road feels close to the water, with waves breaking below the cliffs, especially between Camps Bay and Llandudno, where the coastline becomes more rugged and exposed. Clifton is one of the most sheltered sections. When strong south-easterly winds push through the City Bowl and surrounding areas, it is often noticeably calmer. The four Clifton beaches sit just below Victoria Road, reached by steep stairways from the roadside. Each cove has its own character, with sheltered sand, clear water, and dramatic granite surroundings. Further along, Camps Bay opens up with its wide beach and busy beachfront strip of restaurants and cafés. From here, the road continues past Bakoven, where smaller coves and tidal pools sit tucked into the rocks. Llandudno follows, offering a quieter residential stretch framed by boulders and open ocean views. The scenery along Victoria Road changes constantly. On clear days, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head dominate the inland view, while the Atlantic stretches endlessly to the horizon. At sunset, the road becomes especially striking, with light reflecting off the water and the mountain silhouettes dark against the sky. Parking is limited in the popular areas such as Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno, especially during summer. Traffic also builds during peak hours, but outside those times, the drive is one of the most rewarding in Cape Town. Victoria Road is best experienced slowly, with time to stop and take in the views. Whether driving, cycling, or simply passing through, it remains one of the most visually striking coastal routes in the Western Cape. Related areas include Sea Point, Clifton Beaches, Camps Bay, Bakoven, Llandudno, Hout Bay, Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles Fly over See some other scenic drives and road trips, and browse the complete Western Cape guide

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