Get out and about at Fin Whale

So many ways to explore Kommetjie and its surrounds

The outdoor lifestyle is a given when you come to stay with us at Fin Whale Beach House, with one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world just a stone’s throw away.

With awesome mountain bike trails in the area you’re free to bring your bikes with you if you are travelling down by car, or ask us about hiring bikes for the duration of your stay. Or why not try a horse trail along Long Beach or neighbouring Noordhoek? Being in the saddle is an amazing way to experience our wonderful surroundings.  

Walks along our beach are also epic and a great way to start the day and get some good old fashioned fresh air into your lungs. It’s summer at the moment, and it can get hot, but escaping the heat of summer is easy in our wonderful swimming pool. Our ocean looks gorgeous, but at a chilly 12 degrees C it’s not for the faint hearted! If you’d like to pursue some great watersports like surfing, kite surfing and snorkelling or diving in the kelp forests, don’t forget to bring a thick wetsuit (5mm is the minimum!).

One of the best ways to experience the incredible landscapes around Kommetjie and our wonderful little house on Long Beach is on foot, talking fantastic walks along the beach or heading inland to explore the fabulous topography in the mountains around Chapman’s Peak.

There are some wonderful hiking trails on offer and if you’d prefer to go an explore further afield, there’s always the iconic Table Mountain itself (you can walk up it from the Devil’s Peak side) and the famous 12 Apostles – the 12 mountain peaks that tower over the Atlantic seaboard from Kloof Neck (the “saddle” between Table Mountain and Lion’s Head) all the way up to Hout Bay.

Walking gives you fresh context and renewed appreciation of this part of South Africa’s Western Cape!

It really is a true coastal paradise and our beautiful beach house is designed to encourage absolute relaxation and fun for the whole family, with all the amenities families and friends could wish for, from a sparkling pool to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen. And the beach is literally just a step down from the back door… What more could you ask for? See you soon!

Kick back, relax and enjoy!

How to get the best out of your stay at Fin Whale Beach House

A holiday at Fin Whale Beach House is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and tune-in to the wonderful rhythm of the ocean.

Sun, sea and sand… It’s the perfect combination for a wonderful holiday at the coast and when it comes to Fin Whale Beach House, that coast is just PERFECT! This is beach living at its best.

With its four en-suite bedrooms, marvelous lounge and dining areas and stylish kitchen, Fin Whale really is beachfront living at its finest and offers the perfect base for groups of friends or family to explore this charming piece of South Africa’s Western Cape.

The decor is understated and the ample space makes rainy days perfect for entertaining in style or kicking back, relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere of this lovely little beachside home-from-home.

Besides being literally on the wonderful Long Beach in the village of Kommetjie, some 30 minutes from the bustling centre of Cape Town, Fin Whale Beach House is perfectly positioned to allow easy access to some of the Western Cape’s best loved tourism attractions and a range of fabulous local restaurants and coffee shops.

The entire Cape Peninsula is on your doorstep, from Chapman’s Peak and Cape Point to Camps Bay and Clifton. This is one of the most scenic drives in South Africa and takes you to Cape Town in style, with breathtaking, jaw-dropping and picture-perfect vistas along the way.

In Cape Town itself you have the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with its range of shops and restaurants. It’s here that you can take a boat trip to the world-famous Robben Island and experience the dark history of South Africa’s more recent past, where Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the ANC were imprisoned for so many years.

And of course, there’s Table Mountain, which is easily accessible via its legendary cableway.

A short drive brings you back to Fin Whale Beach House, where you can indulge in a roaring log fire (in winter and on chilly, rainy days) and sample some of the Cape’s finest vintages…

There’s lots of history on Long Beach as well, with one of the most intriguing shipwrecks in the history of this stretch of South Africa’s coast just a short walk away…

The remains of the SS Kakapo, a 665-ton schooner steamship, lay on Noordhoek beach, which is adjacent to Kommetjie’s beautiful Long Beach. The ship ran aground on the beach on its way from the UK to Australia with a full load of coal during a heavy storm in May 1900.

Legend has it that the captain saw Chapman’s Peak through a storm and thought it to be Cape Point, giving the order to turn hard to port while steaming ahead at full speed. An onshore gale and mountainous seas combined with the steamer’s speed to drive it up onto the beach. No lives were lost and the entire crew managed to hop off the steamer onto the sand.

Subsequent efforts to move the Kakapo were in vain and what’s left of the ship can be seen on the beach as a reminder of the capricious nature of the seas off Fin Whale Beach House.

The Clan Monroe, loaded with cyanide and dynamite, also landed on the rocks near the site of the present lighthouse on 2 July 1905. A sister ship, the SS Clan Stuart ran aground between Fish Hoek and Simonstown 10 years later.

The Maori and the Umhlali were both wrecked in 1909 at Duiker Point and Olifantsbos respectively (north and south of Kommetjie). It was decided to build lighthouses at both Cape Point and Kommetjie soon after these events, and although they were both built in 1914, the First World War delayed their opening.

Kommetjie celebrated its centenary in 2003, but in reality 1903 only marked the first house being built here. For many years the area attracted families from Wynberg, Noordhoek and Fish Hoek who came to camp among the milkwood trees for several weeks at a time over the Christmas season. Most of the first houses were holiday homes.

The 1960s saw more development take place as Kommetjie went on line, receiving mains electricity and water. Today it remains one of the most popular places for local Capetonians to spend their holidays and attracts an increasing number of international guests.

Visit the Fairest Cape for a wonderful seaside escape

Breathtaking landscapes and a range of activities on offer

Just a short, direct flight from our sister properties in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region via Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport, the magic of the “Fairest Cape” awaits at Fin Whale Beach House. Located in the charming little coastal village of Kommetjie, just half an hour’s drive from the Mother City of Cape Town, Fin Whale is the perfect seaside escape for the whole family or groups of friends looking to spend some quality time together in unrivalled luxury.

With views over the ocean, Hout Bay and the towering Chapman’s Peak, it’s literally on the most idyllic beach in the area. And if you’re not stepping out of beach house heaven onto the sand, you’ll be enjoying Fin Whale’s beautiful facilities and luxurious accommodation as you make yourselves at home in this small slice of South African paradise.

The ocean off Kommetjie Beach is a thriving marine environment. From southern right whales, Cape fur seals, African penguins and even the occasional orca, guests will not be spoiled for choice when it comes to a marine safari. 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.

And 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, the entire Cape Peninsula is 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!

A short drive from Kommetjie will take you to Cape Town and probably the most famous peak in the world – Table Mountain. Towering over South Africa’s Mother City, it’s become a global icon for its unique flat top and sensational views over the city and its surrounds. One of the best ways to experience it is to take the cable car to the top and spend some time exploring its unique eco-system, taking lots of pictures as you go. Alternatively you can climb it, if you’re feeling energetic! 

While in Cape Town, check out the magical suburb of Bo Kaap, where the houses have been painted in bright colours. It’s one of the most distinctive neighbourhoods and its history reaches back to the 1760s when it was known as the Malay Quarter and featured rental houses that were leased to Malay slaves, known as the Cape Malays. In those days the houses had to be kept white, but when the rule was lifted and the Malays got their freedom, and the chance to buy their homes, they painted them in bright colours as an expression of their liberation.

For some added flavour to all this colour, a short drive along the coast from Cape Town takes you to the fabulous Cape Winelands tourism route, where you can visit some of South Africa’s leading wine farms and sample some the finest vintages in the world. The town of Stellenbosch is the de facto capital of the Winelands and the perfect place to spend time exploring and learning all about the fine art of turning grapes into wine, as well as some of South Africa’s fascinating history. 

With all of this on your doorstep, a stay at Fin Whale Beach House is really a no-brainer. What are you waiting for? Get in touch to make a booking today!

Explore Kommetjie on foot or two wheels

Discover the beauty of Cape Town and its surrounds on spectacular hikes or from atop a mountain bike

Winter’s over at last and spring is officially here! With sunshine aplenty, it’s the perfect time to hit the beach and soak up some sun, sea and sand in style. Base yourself at Fin Whale Beach House in the small coastal village of Kommetjie, just half an hour from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town, surrounded by some of the most picturesque scenery the Cape has to offer.

From the magnificent Chapman’s Peak that frames the end of Kommetjie’s immaculate Long Beach to the surrounding hillsides dotted with rare and endemic species of fynbos, this is a true coastal paradise, fringed by white sands and the sparkling but chilly waters of the southern reaches of the Atlantic ocean.

Our beautiful beach house is designed to encourage absolute relaxation and fun for the whole family, with four fabulous bedrooms and all the amenities families and friends could wish for, from a sparkling pool to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen. And the beach is literally just a step down from the back door… What more could you ask for?

Hike or bike…

If you really want to experience the dramatic landscapes around Kommetjie and Fin Whale Beach House, the best way to do so is on foot, or even on a mountain bike! There are some incredible hikes and mountain bike trails in the mountains around Chapman’s peak, as well as the iconic Table Mountain itself and the famous 12 Apostles – the 12 mountain peaks that tower over the Atlantic seaboard from Kloof Neck (the “saddle” between Table Mountain and Lion’s Head) all the way up to Hout Bay.

This is one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world and just a stone’s throw from Fin Whale Beach House, so don’t forget to bring your walking shoes, mountain bike, sunscreen, hat and water bottles and head out for the day with a picnic lunch.

Feel free to bring your own bikes with you if you are travelling down by car, or ask us about hiring bikes for the duration of your stay.

The views are incredible and you’ll get a whole new appreciation of this part of South Africa’s Western Cape as well as enjoying huge amounts of fresh air!

Horseriding is also available close by and gives you yet another way to discover the magic of the landscapes around us.

Of course, with the gorgeous Long Beach on your doorstep, you don’t have to go far to explore! Walks along our beach are a fantastic way to both start and end the day here at Fin Whale Beach House, along with toasting the setting sun with a fine, South African wine from the dunes in front of the house.

At the end of the day, with a crayfish grilling on the braai and the craft gin flowing, surrounded by family and friends, summer is the perfect season to be at the beach and living the beachside lifestyle.

Once you’ve spent a few days exploring, why not take it up a notch and pay a visit to the bustling and vibrant Mother City itself? Cape Town is within easy distance and well worth spending time in.

What to do in Cape Town

A visit to the amazing Two Oceans Aquarium at the Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront is an absolute must. This world-class aquarium is renowned for its incredible displays and interactive exhibits – you can even arrange to dive with ragged tooth sharks while you are there! While at the V&A you can explore its amazing variety of shops and restaurants, and take a water-taxi across the harbour (watch out for the “seals on wheels”!) There are also amazing views out over Table Bay. The V&A is also the departure point for the tours to Robben Island, which can be seen in the distance across the bay.

You can also explore the wonderful Company’s Garden in the heart of the city. Located at the back of Parliament and the President’s official residence, Tuynhuys, the gardens offer amazing views of Table Mountain and is home to the South African Museum, Planetarium and South African Art Gallery, as well as a lovely restaurant. It’s the oldest garden in the country and has its origins in Jan van Riebeeck’s vegetable patch, which was grown to feed the original colony in 1652.

Of course, Table Mountain itself is a major attraction and you can choose to either climb it (there’s a good route from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens) or ascend via the cableway (truly spectacular). The views from the top of this global icon are incredible, so be sure to take a camera and give yourself lots of time to explore.

So get in touch and we hope to see you soon!

Fin Whale Beach House = fun, fun fun!

Explore the beach, visit local attractions or just relax at “home”!

If you’ve ever wondered at the name of our lovely little oceanside village overlooking the most perfect bay – “Kommetjie” means “little bowl” in the Afrikaans vernacular and is named for the circular, bowl-like basin called “Die Kom” that this charming little place sits in. What’s in a name? A lot more besides, is the answer!

Kommetjie is one of Cape Town’s most sought after surfing and kite surfing destinations and offers world-class windsurfing in the waves off Long Beach. In fact, there’s one of the biggest drops in the entire Cape pensinsula just off shore!

Kommetjie is also home to history, with one of the tallest cast iron lighthouses left in the country – Slangkoppunt Lighthouse. You can take a tour of the site and climb to the top of the lighthouse to get amazing views over Hout Bay and the Cape Point nature reserve. And the wreck of the SS Kakapo is another historic hotspot. This 665-ton schooner rigged steamship floundered on the treacherous rocks on 25 May 1900 after mistaking Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point. What’s left of her hull can now be seen on the beach.

Another great drawcard for visitors to this lovely little village is Imhoff Farm, up on the Kommetjie Road. With amazing views, first-rate food and a range of fresh, organic produce, shops, beach rides and animal encounters, including a traditional farmyard and snake park, this historic Cape farmstead is one of the most popular tourist spots around.

Also try Mashiphumelele where you can enjoy an interactive walk-in township tour and Ocean View where walking tours can be arranged through this vibrant fishing community.

Another absolute must during your stay at Fin Whale Beach House is a visit to Boulders Beach to see the colony of African penguins that have made their home there and marvel at the white sand beach and crystal clear azure water, as well as enjoy the antics of these appealing little birds!

The penguins have been at Boulders since 1982, when a couple of them settled on the soft white sand between the large granite boulders that protect the beach from the legendary winds and storm surges this stretch of the Cape coastline is famous for. Today, there’s around 3000 penguins in residence and the African penguin is now classified as an endangered species. So the Boulders Beach colony is protected, courtesy of SANParks – South Africa’s national parks agency, which looks after the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area of which Boulders Beach and its surrounding beaches are part.

This means that you will pay a conservation fee to get access to the beach, which is both safe and clean and well taken care of, for both humans and penguins alike.

Wheelchair friendly boardwalks accommodate the 60,000 or so visitors the beach receives each year, winding their way through the dunes and coastal vegetation and helping to protect the nesting penguins and their chicks. The boardwalks offer great viewing points over the penguin colony, but you still get the odd penguin taking a stroll through the car park, so keep an eye out!

Besides being a penguin colony, Boulders Beach is a popular swimming beach – being one of the few in Cape Town and its surrounds where the water is warm enough to enjoy a dip in the crystal clear waters of ocean! The surrounding rocks are extremely picturesque, as is the beautiful turquoise sea and soft white sand, so don’t forget a camera. And a picnic lunch if you want to spend the day.

Or just stay in Kommetjie and relax at home at Fin Whale Beach House, enjoying the spectacular views, picture-perfect beach and wonderful homely ambience of your own private beach house!

We hope to see you soon!

Head to Fin Whale Beach House!

Explore Kommetjie, Cape Town and the fabulous Cape Peninsula 

Winter’s here with a bang, making a crackling log fire the perfect complement to chilly evenings and fine wine!

When you’re staying at Fin Whale Beach Cottage there are always going to be days when the Western Cape’s often fickle weather makes staying indoors a better option than braving the elements. But it’s no stress to stay home when home is just fabulous!

With its four en-suite bedrooms, marvelous lounge and dining areas and stylish kitchen, Fin Whale really is beachfront living at its finest and offers the perfect base for groups of friends or family to explore this charming piece of South Africa’s Western Cape.

The decor is understated and the ample space makes rainy days perfect for entertaining in style or kicking back, relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere of this lovely little beachside home-from-home.

Fin Whale Beach House is not exactly lacking in the impressive landscape department. With views over the ocean, Hout Bay and the towering Chapman’s Peak, it’s literally on the most idyllic beach in the area. And if you’re not stepping out of beach house heaven onto the sand, you’ll be enjoying Fin Whale’s beautiful facilities and luxurious accommodation as you make yourselves at home in this small slice of South African paradise.

The ocean off Kommetjie Beach is a thriving marine environment. From southern right whales, Cape fur seals, African penguins and even the occasional orcaguests will not be spoiled for choice when it comes to a marine safari. 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.

And 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, the region is 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!

The entire Cape Peninsula is on your doorstep, from Chapman’s Peak and Cape Point to Camps Bay and Clifton. This is one of the most scenic drives in South Africa and takes you to Cape Town in style, with breathtaking, jaw-dropping and picture-perfect vistas along the way.

In Cape Town itself you have the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, with its range of shops and restaurants. It’s here that you can take a boat trip to the world-famous Robben Island and experience the dark history of South Africa’s more recent past, where Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the ANC were imprisoned for so many years.

And there’s probably the most famous mountain peak in the world – Table Mountain. Towering over South Africa’s Mother City, it’s become a global icon for its unique flat top and sensational views over the city and its surrounds. One of the best ways to experience it is to take the cable car to the top and spend some time exploring its unique eco-system, taking lots of pictures as you go. Alternatively you can climb it, if you’re feeling energetic!

While in Cape Town, check out the magical suburb of Bo Kaap, where the houses have been painted in bright colours. It’s one of the most distinctive neighbourhoods and its history reaches back to the 1760s when it was known as the Malay Quarter and featured rental houses that were leased to Malay slaves, known as the Cape Malays. In those days the houses had to be kept white, but when the rule was lifted and the Malays got their freedom, and the chance to buy their homes, they painted them in bright colours as an expression of their liberation.

For some added flavour to all this colour, a short drive along the coast from Cape Town takes you to the fabulous Cape Winelands tourism route, where you can visit some of South Africa’s leading wine farms and sample some the finest vintages in the world. The town of Stellenbosch is the de facto capital of the Winelands and the perfect place to spend time exploring and learning all about the fine art of turning grapes into wine, as well as some of South Africa’s fascinating history.