After Kalk Bay comes the larger town of Fish Hoek, with its built-up main street and expansive beach. At Fish Hoek, the mountains seem to falter before gathering steam for their final push to Cape Point.
At various times in the past, when the sea-level was higher, this strip of low-lying land was actually submerged, and the Peninsula was effectively cut in half. Now, in drier times, the sandy channel functions as an access point to Sun Valley, Noordhoek and Kommetjie.
The interesting thing about Fish Hoek is that it used to be a ‘dry’ town – which means that liquor stores and bars were not allowed to operate, under a by-law that dated back to 1818. At that time, the land was granted to Andries Bruins on condition that he did not sell any liquor to the thirsty sailors stationed at nearby Simonstown. The law was only reversed in 2018 when Fish Hoek was allowed to open its first bottle store.
While in Fish Hoek visitors can enjoy a lovely beach walk, peruse arts and crafts shops and visit an important stone-age site called Peers Cave.
This small, friendly coastal town is located some 35 km from Cape Town. Until recently it was the only absolutely "dry" town in the country,...