Attractions in St James, Cape Town

Discover St James, False Bay 

The Cape Town suburb of St James is located on the western side of False Bay, at the base of the Cape Peninsula. The little seaside village of St James lies just past Muizenberg en route to Kalk Bay, set against the mountain with incredible sea views and one of the prettiest little beaches.

The residential suburb, very close to Rhodes’ cottage, is much sought after and many of the homes date back to the time when the Cape was a colony of the Victorian empire. The name relates to the Roman Catholic Church of St James and was built in 1858 for the Filipino fishermen who worked from adjoining Kalk Bay. With the coming of the railway, the area flourished, becoming something of a seaside resort.

Things to do in St James 

Danger beach, another little beach of St James, was used in the whaling industry during the early 1800s, as a place to haul carcasses. Kalk Bay is within walking distance and offers a further delightful ambling opportunity, through cobbled streets and the main road lined with an eclectic mix of antique and bookshops, restaurants, cafes, bistros, and clothing boutiques. On this guided Cape Town tour, that takes you along the Cape Peninsula, you'll get the opportunity to stop off in Simon's Town and see adorable African penguins in Boulder's Beach. 

St James is perhaps best known for its colourful 19th century Victorian-style bathing boxes which line the beach. These colouful beach huts make for interesting and eye-catching photographs, popular in and around Cape Town.

St James beach is also home to a large, protected tidal pool which makes it a favorite with families with younger children. There are also several rock pools to explore and a number of shells to collect.

Explore St James 

St James beach itself is a fairly short stretch of white sand with a rocky shoreline. Pretty enough but what makes the view here is the mountainous backdrop of the St. James peak.  

Boyes Drive, which runs up above St James, offers further magnificent views over False Bay and is a wonderful spot from which to spot sharks and whales in season.

When To Go to St James 

St James can be visited all year round. During the summer months, the beach at St James is particularly popular. Not only is it easy to get to but the east-facing aspect and bulk of the cape behind means the beach is sheltered from the notorious prevailing westerly winds, known as the Cape Doctor.

On Tour Highlights:

• Take a dip in St James tidal pool
• See the colourful, vibrant, wooden beach huts
• See this attractive costal town on a Cape Point tour 
• See Cape Point