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Explore the Cape Winelands during your stay

Explore the Cape Winelands during your stay

Fin Whale + Wine = Fabulous!

 

 

Explore the magic of South Africa’s wine route and sample some of the best!

The region around Fin Whale Beach House is famous for its historic wine estates with nearby Groot Constantia the oldest commercial wine farm in South Africa. The Cape Winelands tourism route is well worth exploring, stopping along the way to taste some of the amazing award-winning vintages that make the Rainbow Nation one of the world’s best wine producers.

We know that relaxing on the beach is fabulous, as is exploring our gorgeous little home town of Kommetjie, but there’s a lot to do away from Fin Whale Beach House in what is one of South Africa’s most diverse tourism destinations. Exploring what has to be one of the most breathtakingly scenic wine regions in the world is one of them… The Cape Winelands are filled to capacity with exceptional vineyards, restaurants, arts and crafts and, of course, some of the most lauded wines in the world!

HISTORY APLENTY

Cultivating grapes is an important part of the history of South Africa. When Jan van Riebeeck landed in what was to become Cape Town in April 1652 he needed a refuelling station where he could get fresh food and wine for the ships of the Dutch East India Company en-route to the spice islands of what is now Indonesia (the “East Indies” as they were known). Wine was the drink of choice thanks to water being pretty much non potable in 17th century Europe. 

So one of the first tasks of the newly landed Dutch settlers was to obtain vines from Europe to establish vineyards. In 1679 Simon van der Stel was appointed governor of the Cape Dutch Colony. He is regarded as the father of the South African wine industry, and soon fell in love with the local terroir, developing a wine farm just behind Table Mountain – Groot Constant – which has been making wine since 1685.

Also in 1679, a fledgling town some 50km east of Cape Town was named for the new governor, and so Stellenbosch was born. The second town to be established in South Africa soon became a centre for viticulture, driven by Van der Stel’s love of botany and wine. It’s here that the Cape Winelands have their origin as wine farm after wine farm was established to grow and develop some of the world’s finest cultivars. 

WINE TOURISM

Today, the winelands includes centres like Franschhoek, Paarl and Robertson and are one of South Africa’s biggest tourism destinations, attracting visitors from all over the world to come and discover the unique flavours of the country’s world-leading vintages. Globally recognised estates like Boschendal, Spier, Rust en Vrede and Klein Zalze have led the way for some equally fabulous modern estates producing a range of wonderful wines… Waterford, Delaire Graff Estate, Glen Carlou, Tokara… All have staked a claim on South Africa’s wine landscape. 

These days, there’s even a tram service – The Wine Train – that offers hop-on, hop-off services through the estates of the Franschhoek Valley!

FOODIES HEAVEN

Along with great wine comes great food. Most of the vineyards have exceptional in-house restaurants serving amazing food paired with their finest vintages, making a day out in the Winelands an absolute must. From fresh seafood to local, organic farm-to-table produce, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer. There’s a strong traditional flavour too, with old South African favourites given a modern twist to make them relevant. 

Both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are also home to award-winning restaurants and some fantastic art galleries, antique shops and wonderful locally curated crafts and foods (some of the best olives and organic honeys money can buy!)

So take the time to spend a day or two exploring the wine region and don’t forget to buy a few bottles to enjoy around Fin Whale Beach House’s beautiful pool or out on the soft sands of Long Beach!

 

 

 

Discover the magic of Cape Town

Discover the magic of Cape Town

Experience magical Cape Town and more

 

 

Fin Whale Beach House is a perfect place on a perfect beach!

So what’s it like to stay on one of South Africa’s most perfect, and lauded beaches? Ask anyone who has spent time with us here at Fin Whale Beach House and they’re sure to say it’s the lure of that soft, white sand… There’s nothing like digging your toes into it and when it’s topped off with breathtaking scenery and views out over the endless ocean, it’s just perfect.

In fact, Fin Whale Beach House is the perfect beach getaway in many respects, not the least of which is that you literally step out of the house on to Kommetjie’s Long Beach and enjoying long walks in this coastal paradise. The beach is home to a variety of bird and animal species and while the sea may be a touch on the chilly side, Fin Whale Beach House’s pool is the place to cool off and swim.

Living the beach life, even if just for a few days with friends, family and fur babies gathered round you (we are dog-friendly), is the best way to relax. And to top everything off, Cape Town is just a short drive away, offering a host of things to see and do.

There’s a reason that Cape Town is called South Africa’s “Mother City” – it’s here in Table Bay that South Africa was first put on the map, quite literally, by the early European explorers and seafarers.

The history of what is now Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula is long and chequered. Portugal’s Bartolomeu Dias made mention of it when rounding Cape Hope in 1488, calling it the “Cape of storms”. But it wasn’t until 7 April 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company landed that what was to become Cape Town was officially settled. Settlement of the rest of the country spread from there and the rest, as they say, is history.

Grapevines were introduced a few years later by Van Riebeeck’s fellow Dutch East India-man Simon van der Stel at the settlement of Stellenbosch, where wine began to be made just a few short years later. To this day, the region around Stellebosch is globally renowned for its wine making and wonderful vintages.

As a result of all of this colourful history, Cape Town has some of the oldest buildings in South Africa, which can be visited by tourists. The Castle of Good Hope is one, dating back to the time of Van Riebeeck who originally built it from clay and timber. It was rebuilt from stone between 1666 and 1679 by the Dutch East India Company and is now the oldest existing colonial building in South Africa. It’s a unique, pentagonal fortress with five bastions housed a church, bakery, living quarters, workshops, shops and prison cells. Its walls were painted yellow to reduce the effect of heat and sun.

Cape Town’s busy harbour is now one of its most popular tourist destinations and home to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront – a wonderful, sprawling community of shops, restaurants, art galleries and artisanal crafters. Spend the day there and use a great network of water taxis to get you from one part of the harbour to the other and as night falls you can enjoy the sight of a floodlit Table Mountain towering over this beautiful city.

Combine Cape Town and the Greater Kruger

Combine Cape Town and the Greater Kruger

Get the best of beach and bush!

 

 

Sun, sea, sand and savannah!

We call it the dynamic duo – Fin Whale Beach House and eKhaya Bush Villa, combined into one fantastic family getaway featuring the best of South Africa’s Western Cape and the legendary Greater Kruger National Park!

By combining a stay with us here in Kommetjie with a few days at our sister property, eKhaya Bush Villa in Hoedspruit, in the heart of the Greater Kruger, you get to see wildlife aplenty and savour the rich history and stunning landscapes in and around Cape Town, as well as spending a relaxing time in your own private house on one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in South Africa.

Fin Whale Beach House positions you perfectly to explore the Cape Peninsula and all of the amazing tourism activities on offer in this wonderful, tourist-friendly region of the Rainbow Nation. Located right on Kommetjie’s stunning Long Beach, with the soft white sand just footsteps from your door, this beautiful four-bedroom self-catering home is great for families and groups of friends holidaying together. By adding on an adventure in South Africa’s beautiful Lowveld you get the best of both worlds, with sun, sea, sand AND savannah!

Located on Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate close to town and everything it offers,  eKhaya Bush Villa is a veritable home-from-home in the African bush. This rambling six-bedroom villa is surrounded by wildlife and yet only a few minutes from the centre of Hoedspruit – a bustling little bushveld town with stunning views over the towering Drakensberg escarpment which dominates its western horizon.

eKhaya means “our home” and that’s exactly what we want guests to feel – that they are at home in Africa. With sumptuous breakfasts served each day and some world-class restaurants and cafés on your doorstep, eKhaya’s atmosphere is one of complete relaxation and indulgence, with luxuriously appointed rooms and superb levels of service.

There are a host of exciting activities on offer in and around Hoedspruit too, from microlighting and helicopter flips to hiking, mountain biking and, of course, full-day safaris into the Kruger National Park in open safari vehicles.

With direct flights between Cape Town and Hoedspruit, it’s also easy to create the perfect bush and beach combo.

So get in touch today to find out more!

Enjoy spectacular ocean views in Kommetjie

Enjoy spectacular ocean views in Kommetjie

Enjoy the amazing landscapes

of Kommetjie

 

 

Explore the Cape Peninsula when you stay at Fin Whale Beach House

South Africa’s Western Cape coastline is truly dramatic and breathtakingly beautiful. Indeed,
when it comes to sensational scenery and superlative landscapes, Fin Whale Beach House in the little town of Kommetjie is far from lacking…
Beach escape - Fin whale beach house

With views over the ocean, Hout Bay and the towering Chapman’s Peak, it’s literally on the most idyllic beach in the area – Kommetjie’s Long Beach. All you have to do is step out of beach house heaven onto the sand, or stay home and enjoy Fin Whale’s beautiful facilities and luxurious accommodation as you make yourselves at home in this small slice of South African paradise.

You’ll never tire of the constantly changing scenery outside as the ocean takes on different moods throughout the day. From sunrise to sunset the views from the beach are absolutely gorgeous and sunset is a time to be treasured as the sky turns every shade of purple and orange as the sun dips below the horizon, making the ocean seem magical and other-wordly.

Besides being amazingly beautiful, the ocean off Kommetjie is a thriving marine environment. it’s home to a variety of marine creatures from southern right whales, Cape fur seals, African penguins and even the occasional orcas, as well as porpoises and dolphins.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring the sea. There are regular boat cruises in the area offering you the chance to see some of the amazing birds and animals that make the sea their home.

If you’re brave enough to face the ocean’s apex predator, you can take the plunge and go shark cage diving, where you will learn about the incredible great white shark and the role it plays in the ocean’s fragile marine eco-systems. These incredible fish are magnificent to behold in their natural environment and a far cry from the menacing killers portrayed in the movie “Jaws”.

Back on dry land, Kommetjie and the entire Cape Peninsula are home to some of the most amazing endemic plants you can find in the world. This spectacular environment that surrounds Fin Whale Beach House and ranges across the peninsula is known locally as “Fynbos” – literally meaning fine bush.

Made up of rare and endemic species, Fynbos contributes to the Cape Floral Kingdom – the smallest and most biodiverse of the world’s six floral kingdoms found entirely within South Africa and boasting more than 9000 species!

So spend some quality time with us here in Kommetjie by making Fin Whale Beach House your home from home for a few days. Bring your dogs too – fur babies are more than welcome!

Top 10 things to do at Fin Whale Beach House

Top 10 things to do at Fin Whale Beach House

Reasons why you should visit us in Kommetjie

 

 

Hike, dive, cycle, ride, surf, explore and more!

Are you aching for the chance to escape to a small piece of South African paradise for a few days away from your humdrum, every day life, doing things you’ve not done before and exploring new places? Then Fin Whale Beach House in the pretty coastal town of Kommetjie is the place to be! Here’s why…

Beach escape - Fin Whale Beach house

When it comes to getting away from it all, you often don’t have to go that far. Remember the saying “a change is as good as a holiday”? Well for us at Fin Whale Beach House, a change IS a holiday, and changing your point of view to the incredible scenery of South Africa’s Western Cape and its magnificent coastline is as good as it gets!

So what is there to do here at our lovely little beach house overlooking Long Beach and the gorgeous blues of the Atlantic Ocean? Here are some suggestions… 

  1. Take long walks on the beach

It’s called Long Beach for a reason and it’s just begging to be explored. Get up just as the sun is breaking over the horizon and head out onto the soft, white sand and breathe in that wonderful sea air as you just walk and feel your body and mind relax and keep time to the waves. Or head out in the late afternoon to watch the sun set and marvel at the incredible views. Don’t forget we welcome dogs at Fin Whale Beach House – so feel free to bring your fur babies along!

  1. Explore the wreck of the Kakapo

While walking along the beach in the direction of Noordhoek and Chapman’s Peak which beckons on the horizon, stop to examine the mangled iron that forms the skeleton of the SS Kakapo – a 665-ton schooner-rigged steamship which floundered here on 25 May 1900. It’s a local legend and makes for great photo opportunities.

  1. Discover the Cape Floral Kingdom on your doorstep

Take a casual hike into the foothills behind Kommetjie and marvel at the abundant fynbos plants and flowers that make up the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of the most biodiverse eco-systems in the world that includes rare and endemic species found only here. The best time for flowers is spring which starts officially in September, but many species bloom well into summer and autumn.

4. Surfs up!

Kommetjie is renowned the world over for its great surfing, so if you love getting out onto the ocean there’s no better way to do it than with a surfboard. If you’ve never surfed before, don’t worry – there are lots of operators who will gladly teach you and show you how it’s done. If you’re already a keen surfer, you’ll love it here! Just bring your board!

5. A galloping we will go…

Horse riding is a wonderful way to experience Kommetjie and its spectacular views and explore both the beach and its surroundings. There’s nothing like riding along Long Beach or winding your way up into the hills and getting spectacular views over the ocean and the mountains beyond Chapman’s Peak. You don’t have to be an experienced rider to enjoy a horse trail and you can choose how long you ride for, from an hour to a full day.

  1. Wine tasting

The Western Cape is South Africa’s wine-making capital and there are some wonderful vineyards in and around Kommetjie, in neighbouring Noordhoek and out on the main Winelands tourism route. Take a full-day trip to the Franschhoek Valley and hop on and off the renowned Wine Tram, stopping at local vineyards to sample the vintages! Or tour the Kommetjie Wine Route and take in the best of our local wine estates.

  1. Food, glorious food

Kommetjie and its surrounds are blessed with some stunning restaurants, eateries and cafés which, combined with the amazing food offered at the local vineyards makes this area an absolute hotspot for food lovers and cuisine connoisseurs! From farm to table, the food on offer around Fin Whale Beach House is outstanding, fresh and sustainably grown, so take the time to sample what’s on offer and enjoy eating out in style!

  1. Marine safaris

Head out on to the ocean on a guided tour to see the marine big five – whales, dolphins, sharks, seals and penguins – and learn more about these amazing animals. You can take a day trip up the coast to Hermanus – the whale-watching capital of South Africa – and see the southern right whales in season (June to November) when they come here to calf. Or get an adrenaline rush with some shark cage diving, witnessing the majesty of the great white shark.

9. Diving in the kelp forests

Pull on a wetsuit and plunge beneath the waves into the incredible world beneath the surface and the gently swaying kelp forests made famous by the award-winning documentary “My Octopus Teacher”. You’ll be amazed by the wealth of marine life that calls the kelp forests home, from the humble octopus, seals and sharks to a variety of fish and crustaceans. If you are not a qualified diver, dive courses are available at dive centres in and around Kommetjie.

  1. Do absolutely nothing!

That’s right. Just stay at home at Fin Whale Beach House and enjoy the feeling of switching off, relaxing and chilling out. Swim in our sparkling pool, snooze in the hammock, braai (the local term for a barbecue) with friends and family and make the most of the idyllic views, fresh sea air and fabulous facilities on offer. Sometimes doing nothing is the best holiday of all!

A Cape Town adventure awaits

A Cape Town adventure awaits

Explore SA’s Mother City

 

Discover Cape Town from the air, in a motorcycle sidecar or by boat! 

A day or two exploring South Africa’s Mother City of Cape Town is a great way to embellish your stay at Fin Whale Beach House here in Kommetjie. In fact, you haven’t really experienced the Western Cape if you’ve not “done” Cape Town head-to-toe!

It’s just a half-hour drive from Kommetjie to the city that’s consistently voted one of the most beautiful in the world and Cape Town is worth every second of the journey. With its iconic backdrop of Table Mountain dominating the skyline, this mountain should be your Number One port of call. Take the cable car all the way to the top and spend a couple of hours exploring, taking in the sensational views and learning more about the fauna and flora that call this spectacular peak home.

Next up, head for the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront – Cape Town’s adventure centre par excellence! This is where you can book everything from shark cage diving to a scenic helicopter flight over the city and the Cape Peninsula beyond. You can also explore the Waterfront and Cape Town harbour by water taxi, enjoying the company of Cape fur seals as you travel, as well as fabulous views of the city and mountain beyond.

You can even try parasailing over Cape Town, or head out on a vintage motorcycle and sidecar tour of the city and its highlights. Get to grips with the history of South Africa with a trip to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner at the height of apartheid or check out the old fort which marks the spot where Jan van Riebeeck and his crew from the Dutch East India Company landed in the 1600s, thus founding the Mother City.

Why not take in the amazing and world-renowned Two Oceans Aquarium and learn more about the amazing world beneath the waves of the Cape – where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic at the southern most tip of Africa – Cape Aghullas.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is also home to some great restaurants, bars and eateries, so you won’t go hungry on your Cape Town adventure. Or just mosey on back to Kommetjie for some fabulously fresh seafood. The choice is yours!

 

 

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