About Gordon’s Bay
Gordon’s Bay is a harbour town situated in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is the smallest of the three towns located in the Helderberg region and is only 50km from Cape Town. Gordon’s Bay is named after Colonel Robert Gordon, who was the Dutch garrison commander when the British captured the Cape in 1795. Tucked into the northeastern corner of False Bay, in the shadow of the Hottentots-Holland range, this holiday village is renowned for its fishing and boating facilities. It originated as a fishing harbour named Visch Hoek in the early 18th century.
Gordon’s Bay consists of the old village, situated around the old harbour and Bikini Beach, the mountainside on the lower slopes of the Hottentots-Holland mountains overlooking False Bay, and the low-lying suburbs close to the main beach, making up the most recent expansion of the town.
The South African Naval College is situated in Gordon’s Bay adjacent to the old harbour and the yacht marina. On the mountainside, above the harbour, is giant anchor and the letters “GB”. The letters “GB” on the mountainside stands for General Botha and not Gordon’s Bay as many people may think. You will also find the Steenbras Dam, Cape Town’s primary supply of drinking water, on this mountain.
Gordon’s Bay has two excellent beaches with the main beach offering white sand, rock pools, shallow paddling areas and calm seas. Gordon’s Bay has its own, blue flag beach in Bikini Beach. Although Bikini Beach is popular among both young and old it is specifically popular amongst students. You will also find that the sea is warmer here than you will find on the Atlantic coast side of the Western Cape.
The population of Gordon’s Bay numbers approximately 15 000 and can swell up to 30 000 during peak holiday season. The more upmarket suburbs of Gordon’s Bay are Suikerbossie and Mountainside. Other suburbs in Gordon’s Bay are Harbour Island, Cayman Beach, Dobson, Winslow, Onverwacht, Anchorage Park and Fairview Golf Estate.
Gordon’s Bay has a Mediterranean climate with warm and dry summers. Temperatures can peak at 35 degrees from December to March. The area receives winter rain, but the winters are generally moderate, but chilly in the evenings. At times, snow can be seen on the Helderberg mountains.
Gordon’s Bay has two harbours. The original working harbour is still used for fishing and maintenance of boats and yachts. It is also home to the Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club, National Sea Rescue Institute and the SA Navy. The new harbour is situated in Harbour Island and is home to many boats and yachts. It is also the home of the Gordon’s Bay Boat Angling Club. You will find a variety of interesting restaurants in and around both harbours.
Blog Posts About Gordon’s Bay
Four of the Best Accommodation Options in Gordon’s Bay
Aerial View of Gordon’s Bay
Other Cities in the Helderberg Region: Somerset West, Strand
