About Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay, False Bay

The unpretentious bohemian fishing village of Kalk Bay lies between the mountains and the sea, just 25 minutes' from Cape Town.

Home to one of the last remaining working harbours in South Africa, not only can you meet the returning boats for the catch of the day at noon, but the little cobbled streets, shops and restaurants make this an easy place to while away the time and forget the fast pace of city living. Antique stores, second-hand book shops, art galleries and a thriving theatre have given rise to a real sense of community in Kalk Bay.

Originally inhabited by shipwrecked seamen and deserters, the lively village takes its name from lime-burners, who used kilns to extract lime from sea shell deposits to use in building construction. The 72-seater theatre/restaurant, built in 1876, on Main Road is housed in the old Kalk Bay Dutch Reformed church - a national heritage and protected building.

The homes here are built on the mountain with sought-after harbour and False Bay views. Ambling through the noticeably English lanes is a treat all of its own as a number of famous South African families lived in the area or had holiday homes here, and timely renovations have revived the historical village.

The Simon's Town train line stops right in Kalk Bay and there are four tidal pools for safe swimming. Continue on from here to Fish Hoek, or turn right sharply after driving through Kalk Bay from Cape Town, and head off up Boyes Drive for some spectacular views and whale watching.