A few kilometres to the west of Cape Town’s Central Business District, between Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the wealthiest and most populous suburbs in the world: Sea Point (CBD). One goes past the little community of Three Anchor Bay and Green Point on the way from Sea Point to the CBD. Mouille Point, which is to the seaward of Green Point, is where the neighbourhood’s lighthouse is located. Bantry Bay, a neighbourhood, is bordered to the southwest by it.
In addition to other characteristics, Sea Point is the only beachfront neighbourhood of Cape Town with major high-rise development, making it a very attractive place to live or to invest in first or second homes and apartments.
History Of Sea Point
Sea Point was a component of the Gorachoqua and Goringhaiqua grazing trails for many years before European settlers arrived. These paths extended to Hout Bay and Table Bay. When Sam Wallis, one of the commanders working under Captain Cook, tented his men there in order to avoid a smallpox outbreak that was raging around Cape Town at the time, the area was eventually given the name Sea Point.
Prior to this, a small society house operated by a neighbourhood men’s club was built on Signal Hill’s Sea Point slopes and served as a gathering place for European men, many of whom were free burghers or Dutch East India Company officials and some of whom had slaves. The area started to grow as a residential neighbourhood for European settlers in the early 1800s, and in 1839 it was combined with the nearby Green Point to form a single municipality. On Signal Hill’s lower slopes, 28 plots were offered for sale for development by 1813.
The first connection to Camps Bay was made when the Sea Point tramway first opened in 1862. There were 1,425 people living in Sea Point and Green Point together, according to the 1875 census. It was at 8,839 by 1904. On December 1st, 1905, the railway line from Cape Town arrived at Sea Point.
What Is Special About Sea Point?
Along Cape Town’s famed Atlantic Seaboard, Sea Point is one of the most accessible and vibrant neighbourhoods. Although it has many restaurants, bars, and hotels, its visual splendour, which is anchored by the well-known Sea Point Promenade, is where its genuine attraction lies.
However lovely the pedestrian-only promenade may be, the region offers much more than just a leisurely stroll or bike along it. Few neighbourhoods in the city have citizens as diverse and active as Sea Point, and author Nadia Krige, a longtime local, has made it her mission to discover what the neighbourhood has to offer.
How Did Sea Point Get Its Name?
Only in 1767, when Captain Cook’s aide Sam Willis slept here with his soldiers while running from a smallpox outbreak, did Sea Point receive its name. It became settled in the 1800s and is now a thriving neighbourhood in Cape Town. The popularity of this location has skyrocketed recently, making it a highly sought-after area to call home.
Reasons To Stay In Sea Point
- It’s close to the City Centre, just around the bend
- There are many great deli’s for brunch and lunch
- Sea Point has a popular public pool and a world-class beach for swimming
- Views of the Atlantic Ocean very often include dolphins, seals and whales
- Walks on the Promenade on a warm day, with many ice cream spots to choose from
- Green Point Park offers some respite from the city bustle
- The Metropolitan Golf Club is a great place for a round of golf
- You are able to go sea kayaking to get even closer to the dolphins
- Visit the Mojo Market for locally made goods, delicious choices in food and live music
- The V&A Waterfront is but a stunning walk along the promenade away
Read More: Cheap Accommodation In Cape Town
Things To Do In Sea Point
Cycle Tours With Cape Active Tours
Make the most of your visit to Sea Point by reserving lodging in Cape Town to take in this region’s distinct and obvious beauty. On a bespoke cycling tour, you may experience the stunning surroundings to their fullest. Cape Active Excursions has created and organized a variety of cycle tours, inviting both domestic and foreign guests to experience South Africa from fresh angles.
Take A Dip In Saunders Rock
Despite being so close to the Atlantic, Sea Point is not a popular swimming spot. Except for a few daring local surfers, most people stay out of the sea as it is extremely choppy and the shoreline is rocky. But Krige has a favourite place that is tucked away at the Promenade’s very end for people who want to cool off.
Mrpocu.com advises having a dip in Bantry Bay’s Saunders Rock Tidal Pool to cool off on a hot summer afternoon. It’s especially lovely at dusk, and there are often some fascinating regulars around.
Stretch It Out
The blossoming yoga scene in Sea Point is getting more and more attention, and both locals and visitors may enjoy the practice at any of the facilities along Main Road. Personally, Krige suggests taking a vinyasa flow or yin yoga session at Hot Dog Yoga Studio on Main Road to calm down. “It provides a terrific selection of classes and a lovely, welcoming atmosphere.”
Walk The labyrinth
The Green Point Urban Park, a brand-new public area in Cape Town that is situated in the shadow of the city’s stadium, is one of the most welcome aftereffects of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for the area. It is impeccably kept, free to access, and includes a number of interesting attractions to check out, such as an urban gym, a playground, and a family-friendly nature trail. But Krige has advice if you need a quiet moment to reflect on life: “Go to the labyrinth in Green Point Urban Park,” she advises. It’s hidden in the park’s western corner.
A Walk At Sea Point Promenade
The magnificent oceanfront Promenade runs the entire length of Mouille Point and Sea Point along the Cape Town Atlantic Seaboard. With views of the sea and little beaches, a wide, paved seaside contour walk follows the bends of the shoreline. This oceanfront walkway is set apart from the Beach Road-following sidewalk by a lush green lawn.
Children’s play areas and tables for gazing at the seaside can be found along the Sea Point Promenade. On the Mouille Point side, a maze, mini-golf course, and child train ride are close to the old lighthouse. The beaches are nice for exploring rock pools and putting your feet in the sand but are not particularly good for swimming. From various perspectives along the shorefront, Table Mountain, Signal Hill, and Lions Head can be seen in the distance.
Visit The Mojo Market
The Mojo Market is Sea Point’s version of the market scene in Cape Town. Every day of the week, it is open, and it is frequently bustling with people searching for a drink and a bite to eat after work. The market offers excellent sushi, ramen, and ice cream in addition to hundreds of retail booths.
Where To Eat
Greek, Italian, and other Asian restaurants, as well as bars, watering spots, and shops, are many along Main Road. It’s a path bursting with personality and eccentricity.
3 Wise Monkeys
There are now a few places in Cape Town where you can buy good classic ramen bowls thanks to the ramen boom that has swept through the city in recent years. Despite having a small menu, 3 Wise Monkeys is an excellent choice if you’re looking for Asian cuisine because it puts a lot of effort into what it offers. They also sell trendy poké bowls, which are typically made with salmon or tuna. Make sure you have a backup plan because there are no reservations and it can get very busy (there are plenty of nearby options to choose from).
Mykonos Taverna
For thirty years, this tiny Greek family treasure has been in the same location. In the welcoming atmosphere of the place, you can sense the feeling of history. A slow-roasted lamb shank in a lemon sauce is their signature dish, so order it as well as another typical Mediterranean fare.
La Boheme
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and been disappointed by the lack of a good range of wine offered by the glass? There are over sixty wines on the wine list at La Boheme, a cosy bistro where you can order wine by the glass. The meal is filling and tasty, and the atmosphere is chic but cosy.
Beautiful Viewpoints In Sea Point, Cape Town
Some of the Cape’s most breathtaking landscapes may be found near Sea Point. There are no greater views elsewhere than here, sandwiched between the mountain and the ocean! For lovers or those who wish to see the stunning Atlantic Sea Board coastline, these vistas are perfect!
Sea Cliff Road
Sea Cliff Road, which arcs from the Bantry Bay area down towards Sea Point, is a brief yet breathtaking road (and towards Queens Beach). Sea Cliff Road seems a tad steep coming down Victoria Road in a car or on foot. Modern apartment buildings are visible on either side as you descend, and in front of you is the most stunning royal blue ocean with a rocky coastline.
Be careful to glance to your left as you travel along the street and to your rear to see the countless apartment buildings that flank the coast. You may enjoy a wonderful view of Lion’s Head from above them. In fact, this is one of Sea Point’s wealthiest neighbourhoods.
Signal Hill
The best place to get a bird’s eye perspective of the entire Mother City is Signal Hill. You must travel there by driving up Kloof Nek in the direction of Camps Bay from the centre of Cape Town. You will turn right onto Signal Hill Road at the top. After a short 2- to 3-kilometer drive, you’ll be able to observe the entire world passing by from the summit. The stunningly blue ocean, the recognizable Table Mountain, the city’s core, and the Atlantic Sea Board, including Sea Point itself, will all be visible.
Queen’s Beach
Queen’s Beach is the place to be if you want to mix with the locals and see the beauty of a Sea Point beach at the same time. You can reach Queen’s Beach by strolling down the Sea Point promenade in the direction of Camps Bay.
In addition to their white sand, Sea Point beaches are renowned for the masses of blue-black mussel shells that wash up on the coast. However, Queen’s Beach is well-maintained and popular with both locals and visitors. You won’t be disappointed if you grab an ice cream and walk to Queen’s Beach on a hot day.
Top of the Ritz
A great place to eat in Sea Point is the rotating Top of the Ritz Restaurant. You are guaranteed a superb lunch along with breathtaking scenery because the restaurant and hotel have been operating for years. From this gently rotating restaurant, you can see the entirety of Sea Point, giving you a chance to take in the sunset, the sea, the mountains, and countless little lights. This view is one you don’t want to miss!