Beaches
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Big Bay Big Bay is one of two Bloubergstrand beaches – the other is unsurprisingly called Little Bay (or Small Bay) – and is a favourite surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing spot, drawing international enthusiasts to annual competitions.
Not only is it a great fun family beach, the long, flat sandy Big Bay Beach is perfect for sun tanning, walking, flying kites and just vegging out. If you can cope with ultra chilly water the swimming and bodysurfing is safe and fun. A rocky point divides the descriptively named Big Bay and Little Bay Beaches of Blouberg. There’s a plethora of shops and eateries along the beachfront road.
Ever wondered which one of Cape Town Beaches is best for taking photos of Table Mountain and the sea? Well, Blouberg (Blue Mountain) is the spot from which the postcard images are taken. Don’t miss the awesome sunset views – watch the face of Table Mountain turn golden as the setting sun blazes across the Atlantic Ocean.
Things to do near
Big Bay
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Beaches
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Bloubergstrand (0.8 km from Big Bay) Small Bay Beach is situated in Blouberg Village. The beach is located next to its big brother - Big Bay Beach.
A quieter beach, yet very popular with young families.
The beach offers the classical postcard view of Table Mountain& Robben Island.
Shopping Malls
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Table View (5.1 km from Big Bay) Bayside Mall Shopping Centre is your one stop shopping mall with free parking. Here you will be able to shop for all your requirements from groceries to fashion, movies to perfume, restaurants to jewellery - all under one roof.
Bayside Mall's fashion offering includes most of South Africa's major retailers, as well as a number of quality speciality stores. Bayside Mall offers a large variety of eateries, including loads of coffee shops and restaurants. Ster-Kinekor, situated at the heart of the food court, offers 8 spacious cinemas and the latest sound technology.
Beaches
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Table View (5.2 km from Big Bay) Dolphin Beach is known for its amazing windsurfing and kite surfing opportunities. It’s also a great beach for dolphin and whale watching, long beach walks and jet skiing.
Spectacular views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and gorgeous sunsets can be seen every day. A variety of restaurants and shops are within walking distance. There are no public facilities or lifeguards.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Bloubergstrand (5.4 km from Big Bay) Formed in 1964, the Cape Radio Flyers Club remains on the forefront of radio-controlled flying in South-Africa. With an extensive flying area, runways and pit area conveniently situated just 12 km from the centre of Cape Town, the club is one of the first and largest clubs in the country.
Golf Courses
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Melkbosstrand (5.5 km from Big Bay) The beautiful Atlantic Beach Golf Course is an 18-hole links-style course, just 700 metres from the beach.
Complete with lovely views of the ocean and Table Mountain, few courses can match the sheer pleasure of playing this course. This is a full championship course with training and driving facilities.
Animal Parks
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Table View (6.1 km from Big Bay) The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, SANCCOB is a non-profit sea bird rehabilitation centre based in Cape Town. Their primary focus is to conserve and protect South Africa's sea birds, especially threatened species, for the benefit of present and future generations.SANCCOB rehabilitate ill, injured, oiled and orphaned sea birds on a daily basis, prepare for and manage the rehabilitation of sea birds during a major oil spill, raise awareness about conservation through environmental education and collaborate on research projects. SANCCOB has treated more than 83 000 sea birds throughout the last 37 years.Private groups may book an exclusive “behind the scenes” tour at SANCCOB. The tour includes a short video about the infamous Treasure oil spill and a tour of select areas of SANCCOB’s rehabilitation centre. Please note that some areas of the centre are restricted. Tours are 45 minutes in length. The maximum number of people per group is 8.
Sports Stadiums Clubs
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Table View (6.4 km from Big Bay) Milnerton Aquatic Club (MAC) is situated on the banks of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve with sweeping views of Table Mountain. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is a haven for bird life and has a walking trail for people to enjoy the tranquillity of the outdoors.Because of the location, ideal wind and water conditions, MAC has become a very popular destination for overseas water sports enthusiasts who spend between 3 to 6 months of the year here.MAC has a membership of around 600 with three divisions, namely power, sailing and board sailing. A recent addition to the sailing section has been that of the Cape Radio Yacht Club and its members with their model remote controlled sailing boats who enjoy the perfect water conditions that MAC has to offer.Club members can enjoy the facilities of the club's galley and the "Wet Start" Bar which offers stunning views of the water and Table Mountain.When the sun goes down, members often enjoy the sunset while a braai and sundowners after a day on the water. MAC also has a large swimming pool, a toddler's pool, a small play park for its members.Whatever you choose to do, or not to do at MAC you can enjoy a fun filled carefree day exactly as you wish, whether it is on or off the water.
Hiking Trail
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Melkbosstrand (6.6 km from Big Bay) The Dikkop Trail is a 13 km circular walk through the dunes and fynbos and a 2 km walk along the beach. The walk is at its most beautiful in spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Popular Attractions
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Melkbosstrand (7.9 km from Big Bay) The Thandeka Stables in Melkbosstrand offers horse riding for novices and seasoned riders in some of the most beautiful parts of the area. With over 40 years experience, the owners ensure a safe and wonderful experience. They even offer riding for the disabled and specialized equine therapy. Picnics can be catered for and a quaint little coffee shop is situated on the premises.
Beaches
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Melkbosstrand (8 km from Big Bay) The first West Coast beach you will encounter on leaving Cape Town is Melkbos. Perfect for long, lazy walks and safe swimming, Melkbos Beach offers beautiful views of Robben Island and Table Mountain. The sunsets are stunning.
Good surfing conditions can be found at Corner, Tubewave and Derdesteen. Melkbos Beach is also a popular spot for kitesurfing, windsurfing, crayfishing and boating.
Beaches
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Sunset Beach (8.2 km from Big Bay) The sugar-white Sunset Beach is paradise for surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers. It also has fantastic views of Table Mountain, the city and Robben Island. Enjoy beach strolls as the sun sets across the ocean producing magical twilight skies.
Racecourses
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Table View (8.6 km from Big Bay) Killarney is a classic motor racetrack in Cape Town boasting magnificent views of Table Mountain. The course is ideal for novices but also presents a stern challenge for those willing to pin back their ears.
Every facet of circuit racing is catered for, including motocross, karting, super motards, stock cars and drag racing.
www.wpmc.co.za
Shopping Malls
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Milnerton (9.4 km from Big Bay) The Paddocks Shopping Centre is perfectly positioned and just a short drive from Century City, Canal Walk and the Cape Town CBD and is positioned close to the upcoming and densely populated area of Royal Ascot.It is conveniently located on the West Coast for easy access and an enjoyable experience for all. The Paddocks Shopping Centre is characterised by its high shop fronts allowing for fantastic views of Table Bay, Table Mountain, the harbour and Robben Island.Some of the tenants include Woolworths, Super Spar, Standard Bank and a variety of fantastic restaurants including Bihari Indian Restaurant, The Dros Restaurant, Mugg 'n Bean and Cape Town Fish Market. The Paddocks Shopping Centre offers covered and uncovered free parking.Need to know? Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00, Saturday 09:00 - 16:00, Sundays and Public Holidays 10:00 - 14:00.
Popular Attractions
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Melkbosstrand (10.1 km from Big Bay) This fun activity takes place at the Melkbosstrand Country Club. A minimum number of six players are required to make a group booking. A refundable deposit is required and a minimum age of 10 years old applies. Long-sleeve tops, long pants and good shoes are recommended. All paint used is bio-degradable and washes out. Protective clothing is available for hire.
Animal Parks
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Table View (10.9 km from Big Bay) Situated only twenty minutes from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, the Westcoast Ostrich Show Ranch is a popular tourist destination offering informative tours with a high quality, great value leather and curio shops and an ostrich meat orientated restaurant. The business is family owned and run, with Gavin and his son, Pawel, on hand to greet visitors. The farm lies on the sea facing slopes of the Durbanville Hills, which offer magnificent views of Table Mountain and the Hottentots Holland Mountains, an area steeped in local history.History reveals that ostrich chicks were traded by the original Khoi inhabitants with the Dutch Settlers in 1652 and exported from Cape Town to Batavia (now Indonesia) in 1656. Ostriches were also exported to India and the Emperor of Japan in 1658.The first documented ostrich farm was established in the centre of Cape Town in 1679. The Westcoast Ostrich Ranch has pioneered the revival of ostrich farming in the shadow of Table Mountain (Hoerikwagga). Guided tours in English, Afrikaans, German and Frenchare on offer. The tour comprises a forty-five minute informative trail that includes a visit to the display room, the leather factory and the cactus garden. The tour travels through the ostrich breeding enclosures and it is not uncommon to see a newly hatched chick or to witness an egg being laid. The ranch has over 220 birds ranging from one day old chicks to 20 year old breeding couples.The ranch stocks a variety of ostrich species and other birds, which include, the Westcoast white ostrich, dwarf ostriches, black-neck ostriches, emus, rheas and peacocks. The highlight of the trail is the ostrich show, where each member of the tour has the opportunity to sit on a live ostrich, stand on an ostrich egg and feed an ostrich. Tea and coffee is included.