Bakoven is an expensive exclusive Beachfront suburb in Cape Town, adjacent to Camps Bay, with heavenly views of the scintillating Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by an utterly glorious fynbos Nature Reserve.
With all the fashionable amenities of Camps Bay and Cape Town city nearby, it is however tucked away in a secluded almost hidden position overlooking tiny beaches and coves, with the magnificent backdrop of the Twelve Apostle mountains behind. The suburb is almost entirely residential, but shops, hotels and restaurants are easily accessible in neighbouring Camps Bay.
The suburb itself is tranquil and peaceful.It is the last suburb out of Cape Town on Victoria Road past Clifton, positioned between Camps Bay and the wild Nature Reserve. Thereafter the coastline is protected, with thousands of acres of mountain Nature Reserve. The scenic drive from there to Llandudno and Hout bay is one of the most astonishingly beautiful and impressive in the Cape.
What to Do
The small beaches and coves of Bakoven are sheltered, with enormous boulders, ideal for sunbathing and relaxing. At Beta Close the beach is fine for swimming, but Camps Bay beach is close by, an extensive Blue Flag beach with lifeguards. Camps Bay beach is long and wide, perfect for water sports like swimming and surfing. There is also a surfing school and a Sea Rescue Base.
Oudekraal is another lovely beach close by. Many years ago there was an old settlement of Khoi San people there, the original people in the Cape. It has an interesting dive site with corals and a 1698 shipwreck. Further along the main road past Bakoven at Koeel Bay, there is an open air curio market selling handmade African crafts.
There are many different Hiking trails up Table mountain and Lion’s Head with fantastic views.The Pipe track is not too strenuous. Paragliding is available from Lion’s Head, landing on the lawn of the Glen Country Club. The Cable Car to go to the top of Table Mountain is a short distance away up Camps Bay Drive.
Although Bakoven is secluded and quiet, it is next to Camps Bay, which is a sophisticated international tourist destination. Here there are restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels looking out at the beach, for drinks, lunch or dinner, and to enjoy the view. The sunsets are especially magnificent as Bakoven is on the west face of Table Mountain.
The Theatre on the Bay has plays, and sports clubs in Camps Bay have bowls, cricket, soccer, squash and tennis. There are Health spas in Camps bay village and at the Bay. The Twelve Apostles Hotel a short distance from Bakoven is in a gorgeous setting with a superb award winning Spa.
Where to Eat
Camps bay has of course numerous sophisticated superb restaurants. Paranga, Blues, Umi, The Grand, Bungalow and Caprice are elegant restaurants with fabulous food and wonderful views. Cape Town was recently placed third on the prestigious Conde Nast list of the World's Best Food Cities. They rather kindly described Cape Town restaurants as “casual, supremely stylish, and welcoming, like its citizens”.
Where To Stay
Bakoven has the best accommodation, very beautiful villas, apartments, beach bungalows and holiday homes.
Transport
Bakoven is about a half hour drive from Cape Town Airport, where there are car rental companies. Uber taxis are minutes away on the Camps Bay strip, and there is a helicopter pad at the Twelve Apostle Hotel nearby.
