SOMERSET WEST ACTIVITIES

Wine Tasting

In and around Somerset West on the slopes, hills and coastal plains of the majestic Helderberg Mountain, sprawl the vineyards of the Helderberg Wine Route's estates and wineries which range from a 300-year old historical property to state of the art boutique wineries.

Cooled by summer sea breezes the vineyards of this region share a mountain and maritime climate.

This near-perfect climate coupled with ideal soil conditions produces wines that compete favorably with the best in the world.

 

The Helderberg Wine Route offers its splendor all year round and a visit to the region will not only give you the opportunity to savor the unique atmosphere, wines and fare of the area but will also give you a chance to enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery surrounding you.

 

Golf

Golf is an extremely popular activity in South Africa and the Somerset West area is a golfers’ paradise with no less than three 18-hole golf courses.

One course is the Gary Player designed Erinvale Golf Course which hosted the World Cup golf tournament in 1996.

Also, there is the Somerset West Country Club and Strand Golf Course where golf equipment can be hired.

To practice your swing or putting Vodacom Golf Village is the place to go.

For a quick game of golf there is the 9-hole Helderberg Village Golf Club which is well maintained and seldom crowded.

There are also a number of world class golf courses in the area e.g. Stellenbosch Golf Course, Pearl Valley, Devonvale, Royal Cape, Arabella etc.

 

Hiking

If you are looking for a little peace and quiet and need to get away from it all, then try a dose of absolute solitude surrounded by the majestic Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains.

Hiking here can be an exhilarating experience and there are a whole range of hikes to suit the young and old alike.

Nature reserves in and around Somerset West offer verdant valleys, robust cliffs, deep kloofs, indigenous forests, rock pools, waterfalls, freshwater streams, natural rock formations and fantastic views over False Bay to Table Mountain and Cape Point.

 

The mountains are also home to a fascinating array of wildlife, birds and fynbos. If walking isn’t your thing then pack a picnic basket and find a shady spot to laze away the afternoon on rolling lawns next to a pond or under ancient oak trees.

 

Mountain Biking

Somerset West and its surrounding areas offer some excellent mountain biking routes from ragged mountains trails to challenging routes through forests.

Road cyclists can enjoy meandering leisure rides through breathtaking scenery and the unsurpassed beauty of the Wineland's valleys and cliff dominated coastal routes.

The popularity of this sport in the Western Cape is evident in the infrastructure of the roads and the well organized and clearly marked mountain biking routes ensuring that enthusiasts can enjoy the fauna and flora of the Cape whilst pitting themselves against the terrain.

 

There are cycling routes to suit everyone and is therefore Somerset West is a paradise to any cyclist.

 

Water Sports

There are all types of water sport available in nearby Strand and Gordon’s Bay and the warm False Bay lends itself to surfing, parasailing, sailing, boating, and windsurfing to name just a few.

Surfing is particularly popular in the strand, and although the waves are not as big as the Atlantic coast it certainly has much warmer water and the strand is the indeed the best place to learn how to surf.

Wind surfing can be really wild in the area due to the strong winds that blow off the mountains in summer

 

For pure and simple relaxation and enjoyment of the African sun, there are many cozy rock protected beaches where you can find your own private spot to relax, and long sheltered beaches with soft white sands that are perfect and safe for walking.

 

Diving, Snorkling & Shark Cage Diving

The coastline between Gordon’s Bay and Hangklip offers excellent diving sites for novices and experienced divers alike, with winter and summer diving for snorkeling and scuba.

Seal Island in False Bay and Dyer Island and adjacent Geyser Island at Gaansbaai teem with an abundance of sea life and are the perfect feeding grounds for Great White Sharks.

Shark safaris departing from Gordon’s Bay can be arranged. Shark cage diving has become very popular with both tourists and locals alike.

Still it is not for the faint hearted.

 

Deep Sea Fishing & Angling

Another way of viewing the Helderberg is from the deck of a charter boat crewed by experienced and certified skippers.

Off-shore ski boats can be chartered for game fishing trips that will give you an experience never to be forgotten.

If patrolling the shallows is more to your liking then bottom fishing off the boat in sheltered bays and secluded coves is the answer.

The sea's bounty includes Steenbras, Galjoen, Cob, Red Roman, Red Stumpnose, Cape Salmon, Yellowtail, Snoek, Yellowfin and LongfinTuna plus many more. In season you can also fish for crayfish.

There are many excellent shore angling spots along the False Bay coastline especially around Strand and Gordon’s Bay and those who prefer freshwater fish can go in search of the wily trout in the local mountain streams.

 

Whale Watching

Between June and December each year hundreds of Southern Right Whales visit the sheltered, shallow bays of the South African coastline to calve and nurture their offspring.

Many of these massive mammals also visit False Bay and the best place to spot them is at official whale watching viewpoints found along the coastal road from Gordon’s Bay towards Hangklip.

A mile out from Gordon’s Bay an interpretive sign supplies the viewer with all the information necessary to make whale watching a rewarding experience.

Along this coastal drive are beautiful beaches and steep cliffs that offer great views of the mountains and the ocean.

Under certain surf conditions large schools of dolphins can be seen close to shore swimming and frolicking in the waves.

 

Horse Riding

Saddle up and escape on horse back to the majestic mountains, the clear streams and beautiful vineyards of the Cape Winelands.

View the stunning natural surroundings on natures most powerful form of transport; the horse.

Local stables offer visitors outrides of various durations from one hour rides to campouts over several days.

All excursions are conducted by experienced handlers to ensure you have a safe and thoughly enjoyable experience on horse back.

 

There are also pony rides for children and lessons for beginners.

 

Other Attractions In Somerset West

Somerset West is famous for its two craft markets which are becoming well-known world wide for their many handcrafted items.

People also come from far and wide to admire the Christmas lights that transform Somerset West’s Main Street into a dazzling spectacle every December.

Two festivals traditionally surround these lights: The Festival of Lights marks the switching on of the lights, and is held over four days in December.

The Strawberry Christmas Festival is held one week later when Main Street is closed to traffic as 300 stalls are set up under the lights.

 

Get close to more than 25 exotic monkey species in a leafy garden park called Monkey Town. The sanctuary offers guided tours, feeding time talks, interaction with tame monkeys, and a restaurant and wooden deck perfect for a relaxing meal.

 

Table Mountain

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway with its revolving cable car is the easy way to ascend Table Mountain and enjoy the magnificent views over Cape Town and its surroundings.

Once on top, viewing decks that literally ‘hang’ visitors over the edge of the mountain offer wonderful photographic opportunities.

On a clear day you can see for a hundred kilometers in all directions.

Another way of getting to the top of the mountain is to hike up one of the many paths or rather, after catching the cable car up, one can hike down.

 

 

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa’s most visited attraction.

This world-class facility comprises an exceptional shopping center, an IMAX cinema, Two Oceans Aquarium, the SA Maritime Museum, restaurants, as well as a working harbor which is also a playground for seals.

 

 

 

 

Cape Point

The drive down the Cape Peninsula to Cape Point is a must.

Here you will experience the grandeur of one of the highest sea cliffs in the world bounded by the chilly Atlantic Ocean on one side and the warm waters of The Indian Ocean on the other side.

One can look out from this southwestern tip of Africa and marvel at the splendor of the Cape of Good Hope renowned as "the fairest cape …….in the whole circumference of the globe"

 

 

 

Boulders Beach

Stop and see African penguins at Boulders Beach which is a pay-for-entry beach that adjoins the penguin sanctuary.

These wonderful and highly amusing creatures makes enjoying a sunny day at the beach that much more of a treat

A boardwalk extending onto the beach allows visitors a close-up encounter with this endangered bird species.

 

 

 

Kirstenbosch Gardens

Kirstenbosch is recognized as one of the world’s great botanical gardens so a trip here is essential.

There are over 5000 plant species in the gardens and hothouses as well as spacious lawns and sprawling trees.

One can literally spend hours wondering about enjoying this rich botanical setting under majestic Table Mountain.