Geocache Description: I realised that there was nothing happening at this beach geocaching wise. Basically limited to either Strandfontein and/or Mnandi Beach growing up, I decided to place some caches here to commemorate a place of great family fun and enjoyment. This cache is part of a series of 8 caches of which the final is a puzzle. Beacause it is an area for family fun, every cache is placed in such an easy manner, finding it is "childs play" (excuse the pun). I tried putting a "beachy touch" to each cache, so please handle them with care as some of it is rather fragile. This beach, unfortunately, is such an open area that I implore you to try and cover the hide as much as possible. The cache containers are too small for a pen, so please BYOP.
Strandfontein Beach in Cape Town is a well-known Blue Flag beach that is popular with families and outdoor enthusiasts. Its claim to fame – apart from having the largest tidal swimming pool in Southern Africa – is that it was once a movie location for the Free Willy film series.
Strandfontein Beach (not to be confused with the town of Strandfontein some 350km north of the Mother City on the West Coast) is one of the clutch of spectacular Blue Flag beaches that the city of Cape Town proudly lays claim to. It is found on the sweeping arc of the False Bay coastline, is easily accessible and offers plenty of parking space for day trippers.
Strandfontein Beach’s long stretches of white sand and clear waters are partly responsible for its recognition as a Blue Flag attraction, but its predominant feature is the largest tidal swimming pool south of the equator. This makes the beach particularly popular with families, as it offers child-friendly frolicking in the waves. The watchful eyes of lifeguards, on duty from December to March, add to the safety factor.
This Cape Town beach, popular with locals from the nearby residential areas, has another claim to fame. It served as a movie location for one of the popular Free Willy film series about the relationship between a young boy and a killer whale.
The False Bay coastline straddles the Indian Ocean, said to be a few degrees warmer in temperature than Cape Town’s Atlantic beaches and thus preferred for swimming. The wind, however, can play havoc with picnic plans, especially in the early summer months.
In season, events are often held on Strandfontein Beach to entertain and amuse beachgoers, and a public pavilion is provided for this purpose. Anglers can often be seen on this beach, aiming to catch tasty West Coast line fish such as white steenbras and galjoen.
As one moves towards the northern shores of this coastline, the scenery becomes dramatic, as the Hottentots-Holland and Helderberg mountain ranges come into view. Strandfontein, along with another Blue Flag beach, Mnandi, happily finds itself in these magnificent surrounds.