History of Three Anchor Bay

• Province: Western Cape
• Coordinates; 33°54′30″S “18°23′45″E
• Area; 0.29 km2
• Municipality City of Cape Town

Three Anchor Bay (Drieankerbaai) is a small coastal suburb on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, between Mouille Point, Green Point and Sea Point. Although it blends seamlessly into its neighbours, it is officially recognised as a separate suburb.

The name dates back to at least 1661. It likely refers either to three ships that could anchor safely in the sheltered cove, or to defensive chains once stretched across parts of Table Bay and secured with large anchors. The Afrikaans form, Drieankerbaai, is used in official naming. The area is also associated with Afrikaans author and poet Ingrid Jonker, who drowned herself at the nearby beach in 1965; her life and work remain an important part of South African literary history.

Coastline and beach

Three Anchor Bay has a tiny, mostly rocky beach with tidal pools and a slipway. It is not a typical sandy swimming beach and is better known as a launch point for kayaks, paddlers and small craft. From here, people often paddle along the Atlantic Seaboard coastline toward Clifton and Camps Bay when sea conditions allow.

The beach is easily accessed from Beach Road and the Sea Point Promenade, with parking nearby. Mussel shells and rocks are common along the shore, so it is more suited to water access than sunbathing.

Surroundings and access

The suburb lies on the seaward side of Signal Hill and forms part of the continuous urban strip along the Atlantic coast. The Sea Point Promenade runs past the bay and is widely used for walking, running and cycling. Open spaces and small parks in the area add to its appeal for residents.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has its headquarters in Three Anchor Bay, reflecting the area’s long connection to the ocean and small-craft activity

The Bay in the early 1900s

The Postcode for Three Anchor Bay is 8005

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allBrowse Businesses and things to see in Three Anchor Bay

Things to see and do in Three Anchor Bay

• Fort Road Park Outdoor Gym Beach Road, Three Anchor Bay