A gem on the False Bay coastline, Kalk Bay is known for its raw beauty, interesting shops, antiques, crafts, a vast selection of superb restaurants and stunning views. Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, it is a vibrant, trendy, seaside fishing community that reflects its cosmopolitan heritage through art, architecture and local cuisine. You could easily spend a full day in this little neighbourhood and still not be able to experience it all!
Kalk Bay is only a 30-minute drive from Cape Town, yet it seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The pace is different to the city - there is a holiday atmosphere and fishermen ply the waters constantly whatever the time of day or season. It also boasts with a hub of outdoor action – from deep sea fishing to angling; to having one of the best reefs in Cape Town for surfers and the fascinating caves for land and foot adventures.
“This quaint town with its eclectic mix of people, historic buildings, cobbled streets, bohemian bric-a-brac shops, vintage bookstores, art and antique galleries and colourful fishing vessels is what makes it so unique and charming. It attracts fewer tourists than the V&A Waterfront, but still manages to be a hub of fun activity for all ages” says Jackie de Waal, Licence Partner Engel & Völkers Kalk Bay.
Kalk Bay’s layout is pretty simple. Most of the town’s eateries, bars, stores and hotspots are located along the main street. There are parking places along the entire length of the street, but you’ll usually have to park a little further away from where you’re headed, and walk along the beautiful coastline, which is really part of the experience.
Whether it’s good food, art or adventure you're after, Kalk Bay has something for everyone, and will enchant you no matter how you choose to spend your time there.
A literal translation from the Dutch/Afrikaans name "Kalkbaai" is "Lime Bay". This derives from the vast deposits of mussel shells found there, which early settlers burned to make lime for construction.
Kalk Bay has very few properties because there is only a limited amount of space between the mountain and the sea and no room left to build anymore, making it very sought-after. There are only 223 residential houses and 238 apartments.
Apartments range from R2.9 million to R7 million depending on the size, position, condition and views. Whilst houses start at approximately R7 million and can reach up to R20 million conditional to the same criteria as apartments.
Plenty of properties in Kalk Bay tend to pass from one generation to the next, so very few actually appear on the open market. Patience is key to finding something in this highly sought-after area and for the lucky few who do manage to buy here it’s certainly worth the wait! The demand always far outweighs the supply.
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One of the toughest decisions you will have to make on your visit will be where to eat. There are so many places to choose from and each one is unique from the next. Jackie shared some of her favourites with us:
