Simons Town South Africa is located on a small harbor called False Bay and has become a suburb of Cape Town. This picturesque village is located at the base of a mountain and extends to the shores of False Bay.

Perhaps one of the most unique sites in this area is the penguins. Around 1985 a group of penguins settled on the shores of the Simons Town beach, a very unusual occurrence since the area was heavily populated. The penguins remain there today.

Simons Town was first inhabited by the Dutch in the late 1600’s. The town itself is named for a Dutch governor of that time. Today, the harbor area is known as a tourist destination and for its Navy Base.

Visitors to this quiet area will enjoy whale watching from the shores of the beach. As you sunbathe you can see dolphins or whales jumping and playing in front of you, or perhaps, a penguin swim by. Water sports and activities are very popular in this area.

Due to the proximity to the mountains, people visiting Simons Town often enjoy trekking or backpacking through the area. There are many accommodations that cater to these types of visitors.

The “Historic Mile” is a stretch of St. George’s street. This stretch runs from the railway station to the dockyard gates and represents the long and colorful history of the town. Here you will find remnants of the Dutch East India Company from the 1740’s to the current base for the African Navy. For over 100 years the Royal Navy called Simons Town their home in South Africa and there are many relics of this period to be seen.

As one of the few north-facing costal cities, Simons Town enjoys mild winters in comparison to the surrounding areas. Visitors will find that even in the coldest of winter months, the weather will be mild and enjoyable in Simons Town.

This small town, with its long history and incredible charm, is close enough to Cape Town that visitors can hop over to the big city for anything they desire and return to this area for a peaceful rest.