Penguins at Boulders Beach

Some 2500 African (or 'jackass') penguins live in the shadow of the huge granite boulders which shelter swimmers and sun-lovers in this very special part of False Bay. The noisy penguins (which bray like donkeys at night) share their habitat with Oystercatchers, Cormorants and a rich variety of other birdlife. Boulders Coastal Park is a 15-minute drive from Clovelly (or a couple of stops on the train), near historic Simon's Town.

Clovelly Country Club

The Club's championship 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, bowling greens, bar and restaurant are right next door to Clovelly Lodge. The course is open to non-members. Several other leading golf courses are situated within a 15 minute drive, including Steenberg, Westlake and the Cape Royal. This makes the area an excellent base for keen golfers.

Cape Point Nature Reserve

On the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula lies the most popular nature reserve in the region. The spectacular beauty and ecological diversity of the Peninsula - home to more plants than the whole of the British Isles - can be experienced through climbing some of the Reserve's koppies (rocky outcrops) or hiking a trail or two, but can also be enjoyed by the less fit and active from the comfort of a vehicle. The Cape of Good Hope is a scenic 25 minute drive from Clovelly Lodge.

Clovelly & Fish Hoek Beach

The beach is just a 10 minute walk from Clovelly Lodge. The long stretch of white beach-sand fringes the safest bay for open-sea swimming in Cape Town. A few degrees warmer than the 'Atlantic' side of Cape Town, the waters are also popular for surfing, sailing and snorkelling. Jager's Walk, an easy trail around the south side of the bay, offers great views of the False Bay beaches, whales in season and the distant Hottentots Holland mountains.

The Whales

The southern right whale population - threatened in many parts of the world by commercial fishing - has been steadily increasing in the Western Cape in recent years. Although the coastal town of Hermanus has successfully marketed itself as the 'whale capital' of the area, whales are in fact common along the entire coast during breeding season (peak July-October). The Fish Hoek Bay is an ideal place to view these magnificent creatures at close range. For those convinced by the hype that only Hermanus will do, the town is just an hour and a half away (via one of the Cape's most attractive coastal roads).

Noordhoek

Noordhoek village, perched between Cape Town’s longest stretch of beach and the dramatic Chapman’s Peak Drive, has become enormously popular in recent years with those seeking a more tranquil lifestyle as well as day visitors. Canter along the beach on horseback, catch a crayfish or four, explore the remains of an ancient shipwreck, check out the craft shops and farmstalls, sample the extensive menu at the Red Herring, or relax with sundowners at Monkey Valley Resort overlooking the vast expanse of white sands (only a ten minute drive from Clovelly).