Simon´s Town or Simonstown? The official spelling is Simon´s Town - thanks to Simon Van der Stel, who governed the Cape from 1679 - 1699. During his exploration of the peninsula, like many travellers today, he "discovered" a natural protected harbour in False Bay & humbly named it Simon´s Bay after himself.

(He purposefully set out to seek a safe winter harbour & personally mapped the bay, including depth soundings! However it was only in 1741 that the Dutch East India Company adopted his recommendation!)

All sailing fleets that visited the Cape in winter were then ordered by the Company, to anchor in Simon´s Bay as it was more protected from the strong north westerly winds that prevail during the winter months & caused many a shipwreck in Table Bay. (Great for explorers today though!)

There was poor overland access to Cape Town & Simon´s Town only developed after the British occupation when they established the Royal Naval Base in Simon's Bay in 1814. The railway line was extended to Simon´s Town in 1890 resulting in greater development & easy access to Cape Town.

The coastal train journey is a fabulous way to arrive in Simon´s Town, but there is easy access along the main road or via Ou Kaapse Weg.