Located below the coastal road, Soetwater is a narrow swathe of land wedged between the Atlantic Ocean and the impressive Slangkop mountain and is incredibly biodiverse, offering visitors the chance to see endemic, endangered species such as African black oystercatchers, otters and caracals. Established in 2009, it stretches for some 10km down to nearby Misty Cliffs near Scarborough.

The coastal edge of Soetwater is a wonderful wetland punctuated with lagoons and inlets. It’s one of the last remaining slices of pristine coastal terrace on the entire Cape Peninsula and its rocky shores, undulating vegetated dunes and mountainous screes are a haven for wildlife like dune molerats, tortoises and even the shy grysbok.

Two tidal pools offer swimming options and there are well defined trails leading up Slangkop, but one of the best things to do is explore the fabulous rock pools along the coast which are filled with a variety of marine life at low tide.

Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Soetwater is also popular with shore divers who use the conservancy to access the rich marine ecosystem that lies offshore which features impressive kelp beds that are home to a wide variety of life.

Frequented by seals, rarely seen sharks like the pyjama catshark, the spotted gully shark and the seven-gill cow shark, octopuses and crustaceans including crabs and crayfish, the beauty of the kelp forests has to be seen to be believed.

The kelp itself grows like tall trees and sways softly with the constant ebb and flow of the tide. Exploring it is like being immersed in an underwater Eden and transported to another planet. Of course, the water is exceptionally cold, so you will need a thick (7mm) wetsuit with booties, a hood and gloves to stay as warm as possible. You can choose to scuba dive with a tank or free dive and snorkel.

And when you’ve finished with the chilly waters off Kommetjie, you can relax in the sun next to Fin Whale Beach House’s beautiful, sparkling pool or in the soft, white sand dunes that are just a few footsteps away…Visit our partners,shoes – leaders in fashionable footwear!

These wonderful chauffered trips start at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, where you can park your car safely and conveniently. Each sidecar can take one, two or three passengers, depending on requirements and the use of all riding gear (retro leather jackets, helmets and goggles) is included, as are complimentary bandanas, fuel and insurance, as well as Chapman’s Peak tolls.

There are no age restrictions on this fabulous activity – just a willingness to explore the Cape in an unusual and highly exciting (and entertaining) way. There’s even an option to have Cape Sidecar Adventures’ dog, Brody, in the sidecar with you!

A variety of trips are on offer, starting with a two-hour tour of Cape Town that takes riders over to Noordhoek village (next door to Kommetjie!) before returning to town via the scenic Atlantic seaboard and Chapman’s Peak Drive or the Constantia Winelands and leafy southern suburbs.

Then there’s the half-day tour that takes in the highlights of the Mother City before continuing to Camps Bay and Hout Bay (via Chapman’s Peak Drive) stopping for photos along the way. From Chapman’s Peak it’s off to Simon’s Town via Noordhoek and Scarborough for a sumptuous fresh fish and chip lunch before heading off to Constantia over Ou Kaapse Weg, with the option to stop for a wine tasting before heading back to Cape Town.

Full-day tours include a Cape Peninsula round-trip taking in Chapman’s Peak Drive, the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguin colony, Kalk Bay, Constantia Winelands and Cape Town. Or opt for a full-day winelands experience visiting a selection of three or four wine estates in the Paarl-Stellenbosch-Franschhoek region. Here you can indulge in chocolate and brandy tasting as well as sparkling wine and nougat tasting, as well as taking in the wonderful artisanal crafts of the region.

The full-day South Coast Tour is a wonderful meander south via Gordon’s Bay to Betty’s Bay, enjoying a classic fish and chip lunch next to the ocean en route. You return to Cape Town via Pringle Bay and visit the Stony Point penguin colony and a wine-tasting at Meerlust estate along the way.

For more information check out www.sidecars.co.za

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 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!

The little fishing village of Kommetjie is well known for its amazing Long Beach and the wonderful Atlantic ocean that breaks onto it, with its panoramic views across to Chapman’s Peak and beyond… It’s this special combination that makes it one of the most popular surfing destinations in the area, so you’ll always see a line of enthusiastic surfers out beyond the breakers, waiting for the perfect wave!

Closer to shore, the shallows are perfect for boogie boarding and when the winds permit, it’s a great place for kiting and kitesurfing, provided you’re experienced as the legendary southerly and westerly winds are not really suitable for beginners!

Of course, you can have a good time under the water as well as on it, with organised shore dives a great way to explore the coastline here. Scuba diving allows you the freedom to discover the myriad species that frequent this stretch of the Cape Peninsula, from common octopus to crayfish, as well as the ubiquitous Cape fur seal! You can also experience the amazing kelp forests that are home to a wide range of marine species including sharks!

Fishing from the shore can also be productive, and licences are easy to arrange. All of which makes Fin Whale Beach House the absolutely perfect place to set up home for a few days while you indulge in all of these amazing ocean-based activities! All you need to do is bring your gear, food and drink and enjoy the experience of life on the beach, with the sands of Long Beach literally just outside the back door…

Get up early and watch the sun rise on the beach with coffee and rusks, or spend the evening on the beach around a crackling fire. You are allowed to make a fire on the beach provided it’s at least 50m from the dunes and is kept smaller than 150cm in diameter and a metre high. Fires are not allowed if it is windy and you must extinguish, drench and bury the fire before you leave.

Alternatively, if it’s cold and windy on the beach, build a fire inside in Fin Whale Beach House’s beautiful lounge, crack open a bottle of wonderful South African wine and enjoy a marvellous time with friends and family.

We hope to see you soon!