Discover Cape Town’s Southern Coast

In Cape Town, there are mountain people and there are sea people. To hear someone say, “I get my energy from the mountain” isn’t unusual here. However, the ocean serves as a captivating muse; a swirling, surging part of the local identity. The two come together in the indigenous name for Table Mountain—Hoerikwaggo in the Khoi language, or sea mountain—its age-creased front etched by the powerful tides millions of years ago. During lockdown, I’d often open my windows to let in the scent and amplify the growl of the breaking waves, which could shift from tropical blue, masking their bone-numbing temperature, to a moody metallic grey, depending on the city’s ever-changing weather.

Journey Along the Coast

My drive south then east along the coast is a familiar weekend route, often traveled with a wetsuit in the back, past the suburb of Hout Bay and along Chapman’s Peak Drive, known as the Chappies. It carves an audacious course along the Atlantic coast, framed by sheer sandstone cliffs, shielded from rockfall by curving catch fences. When it ends, I cut across the peninsula to witness the African penguins at Boulders Beach—a colony once reduced to just two breeding pairs in the 1980s, now thriving within a Marine Protected Area. Here, I wander down the boardwalk, watching these charming braying birds waddle onto shore.

Whale Watching and Nature Exploration

Further east, the sea reveals bigger wonders. Staying close to the shoreline along the winding road, I continue to Hermanus, where it’s possible to spot Southern Right whales without leaving land as they breach or sunbathe with their calves. One whale lobtails, high-fiving the surface with its broad flukes of its tail. From his lookout point, the whale crier blows his horn, alerting visitors to another sighting. After a couple of hours’ drive, I turn the car onto the dirt track to De Hoop Nature Reserve. As a troop of baboons gracefully crosses my path, I ease off the accelerator, minimizing the dust cloud behind me, and roll down my window. The fresh, earthy smell of fynbos mingles with the minty scent of eucalyptus.

Adventure at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge

My guide, Billy Robertson from Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, awaits to greet me. We pile into a four-wheel-drive vehicle, venturing into the majestic high, white sand dunes, reconnecting with the sea as the surf beats out its soothing rhythm. Lekkerwater means ‘good water’ in Afrikaans, and the name is fitting. I leave the cold Atlantic behind when I pass the southernmost tip of Africa—next stop, Antarctica—and greet the warm embrace of the Indian Ocean. Bottlenose dolphins leap in the frothing shallows while a pair of black oystercatchers navigate over the sand. In the hills behind, a Cape leopard lurks, unseen except for its spoor on sandy trails. That evening, as the full moon rises from beneath a fine layer of silvery mist, it hangs above the wild waves, creating a mesmerizing scene.

The Emotional Connection with the Ocean

Living by the ocean has been shown to enhance mental health; simply gazing out and watching the dance of light on the water feels uplifting and restorative. Therefore, I confidently assert that I am truly a sea person.

• Experience nature’s beauty: Marvel at the extraordinary marine life and landscapes by the beach.
• Enjoy outdoor adventures: From whale watching to exploring sandy dunes, there are endless opportunities for exploration.
• Reconnect with yourself: The calming presence of the ocean can enhance emotional well-being.