St James

Description

The quaint seaside village of St James lies between the Cape Town suburbs of Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, and, in season, this is one of Cape Town's best spots for whale watching. During the early 1800's, the nearby 'Danger Beach' was used to haul carcasses for the whaling industry, and the village was named after the St James Catholic Church that was built here in 1858 for the Filipino fishermen of Kalk Bay.

St James is within walking distance of Kalk Bay and the popular route along the main road passes antique shops, bookshops, restaurants, bistros and boutique clothing stores, all with spectacular views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains.

The charming St James beach is well sheltered from the Cape winds, and during the holiday season the local beach is often crowded with families attracted by safe swimming in the beach's tidal pool.