Major city · South Africa
Gordon's Bay
Spend a day in Gordon's Bay for beach, sailing and a quick bite; easy as a half‑day visit from Cape Town (drive time check).
Gordon's Bay is a coastal suburb east of Cape Town on the Strand, offering safe beaches, a harbour with sailing cruises, diving schools and several nearby golf courses. It fits a half‑day to full‑day visit from Cape Town, with accommodation for an overnight if you prefer a relaxed pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Sep–Apr (warm)
- avoid Jan–Mar (wind may affect activities, check)
- Airport
- CPT
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Gordon's Bay112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gordon's Bay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyGordon's Bay is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings on the beach and follow local swim‑zone signs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCPT Cape Town International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north, ~35 min by car (check)).CPT Cape Town International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north, ~35 min by car (check)).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest; N2 connects Cape Town, Strand and Gordon's Bay.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CPT Cape Town International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north, ~35 min by car (check))CPT Cape Town International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north, ~35 min by car (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Care
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Apr, Sep–Dec. Mixed: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jul (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jul (10 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gordon's Bay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest; N2 connects Cape Town, Strand and Gordon's Bay. Taxis and rideshare operate locally; walking works along the beachfront promenade.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Strand
goDoor to door: ≈ 20 min total
Drive north on the N2, about 15 km (9.3 mi), 15 minDrive north on the N2, about 9.3 mi (15 km), 15 min
Beach promenade and shops, easy for a half‑day.
Simon’s Town
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min total
Drive south on the N2, about 30 km (19 mi), 35 minDrive south on the N2, about 19 mi (30 km), 35 min
Historic naval town, Boulders Beach penguins nearby.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fynbos Self Catering
Holiday house, mountain‑sea views (2026 estimate, check price)
Berg en Zee Guesthouse
Sea‑view rooms, 50 m from beach (2026 estimate, check price)
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R300–R500 excl. bed
- Mid
- R500–R800 excl. bed
- High
- R800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a beachfront café | R25–R40 |
| Fish and chips (seafood takeaway) | R70–R120 |
| Taxi 5 km (within town) | R150–R200 |
| Sailing cruise (2‑hour sunset)check | R350–R500 per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer winds can pick up in the afternoon; check the forecast before planning beach or sailing activities.
- The N2 is the main route from Cape Town; allow extra time during peak hours.
- Some restaurants and shops close early on Sundays; plan accordingly.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Gordon's BayGordon's Bay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
US Consulate in Cape Town (check address); other nations have consulates in Cape Town.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cape Town → Gordon's Bay (car, 30 km): about R350–R450 fuel, 35 min (check)
- Taxi within Gordon's Bay (5 km): R150–R200
Say or show
- Verskoon my / Jammer — Excuse me / Sorry (verskoon my / jammer)
- Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee-uh)
- Hoeveel kos dit? — How much is it? (hoo-veel kohs dit)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vahr is dee toe-let)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gordon's Bay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Apr (warm) · avoid Jan–Mar (wind may affect activities, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Gordon's Bay
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