Essential Simon’s Town Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Simon’s Town is a historic seaside town on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, set along False Bay. Known for its maritime heritage, dramatic coastal scenery, and access to marine wildlife, it is one of the most distinctive places to visit near Cape Town.

Explore Simon’s Town’s Naval Heritage

Founded as a naval station in the 18th century, Simon’s Town developed around the protection of Cape Town’s harbor. Its close association with the South African Navy continues today and can be seen in the town’s architecture, waterfront character, and maritime landmarks.

The South African Naval Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about the country’s naval past. Together with the town’s historic streets and seafaring atmosphere, it makes Simon’s Town a notable destination for anyone interested in South African maritime history.

Discover False Bay’s Marine Wildlife

The surrounding bay gives Simon’s Town another distinctive identity. It serves as a launching point for encounters with the “Marine Big Five”: whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and great white sharks.

Nearby Boulders Beach is especially well known for its African penguin colony. Along the coast, visitors can also enjoy broad views across False Bay and toward the mountains of the Cape Peninsula.

Things to Do in Simon’s Town

For travelers looking for things to do in Simon’s Town, the town’s appeal lies less in a packed itinerary than in its atmosphere. Historic streets, naval landmarks, ocean views, and access to coastal nature come together to create a memorable stop between Cape Town and the southern peninsula.

Simon’s Town railway station also connects the town with neighboring coastal communities such as Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay.

Among the best places to visit near Cape Town, Simon’s Town stands out for the way it combines living naval heritage with the wild character of False Bay.