A Day Out at Kalk Bay Harbour: A Mixed Experience
Last Saturday, my daughter Angelique and I set out for a visit to Kalk Bay Harbour. We left home a bit late, around 11 a.m., which turned out to be a mistake. The traffic near the harbour was heavier than expected, and finding parking took much longer than usual. Despite these setbacks, we eventually made our way to the harbour side.
The Vibrant Atmosphere of Kalk Bay Harbour
Once we arrived, we noticed that the only boats in sight were the local fishermen’s boats. The scene was lively, with a few colorful boats scattered around, as well as three bustling restaurants and a small kiosk. One thing that really stood out to me was the large swimming area nearby, filled with swimmers enjoying the water.
The most stunning aspect of Kalk Bay Harbour, however, was the view. The mountains loomed majestically in the background, while the deep blue of the sea seemed to stretch endlessly in front of us. It truly was breathtaking. As Angelique and I wandered along the docks, we also spotted a few sea lions, which was a fun surprise for us both.
For more on what to do in Cape Town, visit Cape Town Tourism, a great resource for local travel tips and attractions.
Fresh Fish and Delicious Meals at Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay Harbour is a popular tourist destination, but it offers more than just a picturesque view. Every day, you can buy fresh fish straight off the boats. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to purchase any that day, but I’ve decided to return early one morning to pick up some freshly caught fish.
The harbour is home to three restaurants, all of which focus primarily on fish. Since Angelique isn’t particularly fond of seafood, we decided to skip the fish-focused eateries. The largest of the three restaurants is Harbour House, followed by Life Bait and Lucky Fish. While these spots offer delicious seafood dishes, we opted to head to another location for a coffee.
For more details on local dining options, check out Eat Out, an excellent guide to Cape Town’s restaurant scene.
Exploring Beyond the Harbour: A Disappointing Turn
After spending some time at Kalk Bay, we were eager to explore the nearby shops and restaurants along the main road. However, the traffic was still heavy, and finding parking proved impossible. Frustrated, we decided to abandon the idea and move on to our next destination: Paradise Park in Newlands.
To our disappointment, Paradise Park didn’t match the photos we had seen online. The area felt unsafe, especially for a woman and her daughter. There was a noticeable gap between the images on Google and the reality of the location. We decided it was best to leave.
Our third stop was Sweet Spot in the Bo Kaap. Once again, Google misled us. The shop was closed, and parking was nonexistent in the area, which is known for being one of the more dangerous parts of Cape Town. This made our visit feel even more disappointing.
Heading Home: A Traffic-Filled Journey
Despite our frustrating experiences at the other locations, our day at Kalk Bay was still memorable. However, the journey home proved to be another challenge. As we began our drive back, we were caught in heavy traffic due to the Stormers vs. Sale Sharks rugby match taking place in the city. Cape Town locals are passionate about their rugby, and with a stadium that holds 63,000 people, it’s no surprise that the streets were packed.
Looking back, Saturday was an eventful day. Next time, I’ll make sure to do more research to avoid some of the pitfalls we encountered. If you’re planning a visit to Cape Town, I highly recommend checking out the best beaches for swimming in Cape Town for a relaxing alternative to the bustling harbour. For more information, take a look at our previous blog on the best beaches for swimming in Cape Town.
Enjoy your day and week ahead!










Very beautiful place this is. Look amazing.