CommunityTowns and suburbs

Kalk Bay

Fishing village in the South Peninsula

History of Kalk Bay

Province; Western Cape
Coordinates: 34°07′40″S 18°26′54″E
Municipality: City of Cape Town
Area: 0.32 km2

Kalk Bay or Kalkbaai (Afrikaans ) is a small quaint suburb on the False Bay coast. It was originally a fishing village. Kalk Bay (Lime Bay) was so named because of the huge deposits of mussel shells from which lime was extracted for building construction. Some of the kilns used to roast the shells to extract the lime can still be found along this coast. The village was mostly established by these lime extractors in the 17th century. In 1795 a small military outpost was established by the Dutch. The Dutch East India Company proclaimed Simon’s Bay as a winter anchorage for ships between May 15 and August 15 from 1742 onwards, As there was no Viable track from Clovelly and Sunnycove, over the quicksands of Fishhoek to Simon’s Bay, ox wagons could not be used. Kalk Bay was established as a port where goods were loaded onto barges to cross over to Simon’s Bay to supply ships and to transport building materials for the expansion of Simon’s Town. The ox-wagons returned to Cape Town laden with limestone and fish, which was the staple diet of slaves.
Post 1806 the area grew as a fishing village and whaling station and later became a popular seaside holiday town. The local population grew also when emancipated slaves made it their home here as they were skilled fishermen. The railway line arrived in 1883 which allowed for further growth. The harbour foundation stone was laid in 1913.
The suburb today has an arty bohemian vibe characterized by interesting shops and restaurants. In 2018 it was voted the coolest neighborhood in the world according to Forbes

Some of the old buildings here have been beautifully restored, others have a patina of neglect. The Holy Trinity church dates back to 1873. The Dutch Reformed church – now home to the Kalk Bay Theatre – to 1876. The Old Majestic Hotel, built in the 1920s, has been converted into upmarket apartments

           

Vintage pictures fromSaartjie Klipkop

The postcode for Kalk Bay is 7975 (streets) and 7990 (boxes)

see all listings in Kalk Bay

WEATHER IN KALK BAY

Things to see and do in Kalk Bay

  •  Caves in the sandstone mountains behind Kalk Bay with names like ‘Ronan’s Well’ and ‘Free Drinks Saloon’ are particularly interesting as they are formations found rarely in sandstone
  • Take a guided walking tour with Voice Map
  • The village is full of interesting little antique, bric-a-brac shops, bookshops, and restaurants with a pavement café style,
  • Surfing at Kalk Bay Reef
  •  (Sacred Site)  Above the village you can see, The Tripod, stones are carefully positioned to capture the first rays of the rising sun at the winter solstice sun. The womb-shaped water bowl hewn from the rock below shows it is symbolic of fertility.
  • Kalk Bay Amphitheatre, andEcho valley hike
  • Kalk bay lighthouse

Useful Numbers

  • Police: Fishhoek, 021784 2700
  • Traffic department: Fishhook 021 784 2160
  • Fire: Fishhoek 021 480 7700
  • Water:  0860 103 089
  • Electricity:  0860 103 089
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Closest hospital; False Bay Hospital 021 7821121
  • Pharmacy; Rustenberg Pharmacy Muizenberg
  • SPCA: 021 700 4140
  • Schools: Bay Primary School: 021 782 2065
    St James RC primary school 021 788 7064
  • The City of Cape Town Public Emergency Communication Centre is available 24/7 For all life or property threatening emergencies, call 021 480 7700 from any phone or 107 from a landline or report online at https://bit.ly/3o4Ji3K

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