Why Kommetjie?
This quiet beach town on the southwest coast of the Western Cape has remained mostly un-touristy with its chilled and laid-back locals going about their daily business.
Nestled at the foot of Slangkop Mountain (more like a hill), Kommetjie is a mix of surf shacks, fancy beach houses and everything in between. Anything that is beach facing, whether you are on the shore front or against the hillside, will have magnificent views over the Altantic Ocean. Houtbay and Noordhoek nestled in their majestic mountains are ever-present in the background. Our apartment (near death by stairs) was on the third level of a property against the Slangkop Hill and the views from so high up never failed to amaze.
Kommetjie is unpretentious and far from your typical tourist destination so it offers tranquillity. Local run shops and restaurants are dotted around town almost all within walking distance of the town square. We would love to return to Kommetjie for a longer stay.
Things to do in Kommetjie and surrounds
Free activities:
Go to the beach and watch the surfers at sunset (or sunrise) as they show off their skills at surfing and surviving nosebleeds in the frigid ocean temperatures.
Walk along the “Kom” which is a wooden pathway along a small ocean inlet towards the Slangkop Lighthouse. The water here is much calmer with small swells and you will find beginner surfers getting to grips with their boards.
Walk the length of Long Beach to the shipwreck of SS Kakapo. Start anywhere in Kommetjie and head to the beach. Continue walking in the direction of Noordhoek for some 3kms and you will spot the shipwreck not in the water but partially submerged by the beach sand. Marvel at the thought of sailors who stood there a 100 years prior mistaking Chapman’s Peak for Cape Point and ran aground. No lives were lost but the crew couldn’t get the 665-ton schooner back into the water.
The stretch closest to the shipwreck is quite isolated and perhaps best to walk with someone or in a group. There is a massive and very random log that you will encounter on your way to the shipwreck – this makes for some interesting posing opportunities for the influencers. Remember the sunscreen! Edit: We didn’t take our phones with us as we were slightly concerned by the rumblings of it being a less than desirable zone for walking. We walked early morning and hardly encountered a soul except for a few dog walkers and surfers. We would have walked all the way to Noordhoek and caught a taxi or uber back to Kommetjie after a coffee break – next time!
Hike up to the big cross on the Slangkop Mountain starting from most points where the road and mountain meet; there are paths to clamber up and get a stunning vantage point of Kommetjie from above.
Discover pathways through the fynbos that lead up from the beach at the lighthouse up to the road and back into town.
Require some bucks:
Visit the Slangkop Lighthouse during the week for a tour and to climb to the top for more spectacular views of the ocean and mountains.
Sign up for surf lessons with locals at Kommetjie Surf Shop on Kommetjie Road if you are brave enough to submerge more than your big toe in the icy Atlantic waters. Maybe you find a local in-store willing to take you when the winds are right and the swell is good. The locals might suggest Muizenburg as an option for surfing for beginners (warmer ocean and more chilled waves), but it is quite a drive away.
Chapman’s Peak drive on the other side of Noordhoek will take you through narrow winding roads around the mountain for some of the most scenic bends and spectacular vistas the Cape has to offer. You pay a toll to drive the entire route.
Eat, sleep and when to repeat
Restaurants and food supplies:
Just Foods Deli and Wine Shop, Fabulous deli with freshly baked breads and pastries (get there early to secure your stash of baked goods) with local seasonal produce from fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, kefir, dips, pates, olives and all the fresh meats you could need. They also stock general grocery items from nuts, spreads, pastas, chocolates and there is a small wine section at the back. Not to worry, right next door is a Liquor Shop.
Imhoff Farm is located outside of Kommetjie in the area Imhoff (10-minute drive from Kommetjie) and offers wonderful farm stall type items like local cheese, yoghurts and unpasteurised milk (if you are on the trend). The fresh meat and condiments looked lovely but we skipped that for the freshly baked almond slice which was truly delicious. Visit the Artisan shops at the farm for locally manufactured wares and grab a bite to eat at the café which has lovely views over the valley.
Cape Point Vineyards is on the Noordhoek side of the valley but man are the views worth the drive. There is a food market every Thursday 16:30 to 20:30 and it isn’t the typical “food market” with overpriced cold food and long queues. Instead, it offers open air grassy picnic spots (take a picnic blanket as tables are limited) with a few stalls offering a variety of reasonably priced foods and, lockdown permitting, a glass of Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc or a selection of beers. Look left and you have breath-taking ocean and mountain views, and to your right you have the vineyards. What a delight!
Espresso.kom is a bistro/coffee shop next to the Deli on Erica road. On offer are daily breakfast and lunch specials and you will get a lovely toasted sarmie or a salad here. Seems to be the local hangout, always busy with most people getting friendly greetings from the owner.
Kommetjie Pizzeria (next to the Deli on Erica Road) has woodfired thin based pizzas and they offer free delivery in Kommetjie.
Fisherman’s Restaurant (pub type place) trading hours were a little haphazard when we were there and we didn’t get a chance to eat there this time round. They are a Kommetjie institution and are well known for their seafood, cold beers and jolly atmosphere. Also the perfect place to spot a local celeb like Justin Bonello or Dale Steyn…
Our Home:
We stayed at Mountain & Sea View Apartment 3 on Erica Road which we booked through Airbnb. Two bedroom, one bathroom flatlet with a fantastic patio and infinity style pool. The place had a fully equipped kitchen and gas stove and dishwasher, two highly appreciated luxuries that were put to full use. It had lovely furnishings with huge French stack doors opening onto the patio.
You take for granted the importance of comfortable couches when staying away from “home”, but this place had ample couches, seats and benches from where you could take in the views. You could even see the ocean view from the shower if you left all the doors open.
You climb many steep steps to reach the apartment but you are rewarded with a bright airy apartment that felt like home but with views you would normally see in lifestyle magazines. The perfect start to our adventure after a month of packing, moving and all the other admin life throws at you.
The hosts have 2 other apartments available at the property both with amazing sea views. Enquire via Airbnb for the options.
Best time to visit Kommetjie
We stayed in Kommetjie the first week of December 2020 when the rest of South Africa is usually in full summer mode. It was windy, chilly and 3 of 7 days was overcast and rainy. Pack for all seasons when visiting the Cape, the weather can change abruptly within a few hours. Best time to visit would be outside of peak holiday season and when the Cape has properly entered its summer, usually January to end of April offers the warmest days. Wind is unfortunately always a factor in this area.
Other community initiatives and projects
Foundation phase online literacy programme run at Masiphumulele Primary School run by The Click Foundation, a non-profit organisation aiming to improve literacy levels across South Africa in underprivileged communities. A R500 donation will enable the organisation to teach a child to read for a year.
Small farm stall at the Kommetjie Primary School in Kirsten Avenue opposite the Shell garage. Support the school in raising funds and buy some fresh local produce on the way into Kommetjie.
Recycling station just a few metres up the road from the Kommetjie Primary School farm stall in Kirsten Road, is a recycling station where your recycling materials can be dropped off. Take a drive past to see the opening times as it isn’t open all day every day. Do your bit to help the environment.
Pop up second hand shop next to the Shell Garage in Kirsten Avenue was just starting up when we visited in December 2020. Support these local initiatives that aim at reducing waste and upcycling pre loved goods – you may even find a bargain.
Til the next mile,
Wes & Lieza
Follow @DeepSouthVibes for daily posts, events, festivals, live gigs and community events happeningin and around Kommetjie
More information on
Kommetjie, its history and
things to do and see.