Marina da Gama
This beautiful living paradise was started in 1972 with its amazing waterways as an extension of the existing Zandvlei Nature Reserve.
Initially 1350 houses were on the plan, in the meantime there may be around 1600 houses, many of them without direct access to the water.
Marina da Gama consists of three parts, our house is located in the midst on East Lake Island.
Position
The international airport can be reached within 30 min. in moderate traffic via M5, as well as the City of Cape Town via M3.
From the airport take N2 towards Cape Town, after 10 km veer onto M5 southbound towards Muizenberg. After 18km you will see a spiral like tower at Capricorn Shopping Center. After 600m you will turn right following the sign East Lake Island on the right. Cross the bridge straight ahead, after a right turn you need to turn left after 200m into Halyard Way, and immediately left into Cutter Close.
Our house is located in the far right corner.
Check our route-planner below
We are very close to Muizenberg, ideal for trips to the Cape, passing beautiful Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simons Town with its famous penguin population. Constancia is a stone's throw away, Hout Bay is not too far on the way to Chapman Peaks drive, and from the beautiful botanical garden of Kirstenbosch you can climb Table Mountain on one of the alternate routings.
Eastward you will be reaching Somerset West, the wine farms in Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek or Elgin, or further on to Hermanus for whale watching during the season, all this without touching the partially chaotic traffic in Cape Town.
Golf
Within 15 min. driving time you will find three golf courses – West Lake, Steenberg and Royal Cape Golf Club. The famous Clovelly Country Club in Fish Hoek can be reached in 20 min.
The novice (or expert) will find a miniature golf course along the road to Muizenberg next to the public pool.
Please check our special advice in OUR FAVOURITES
Wine
Exquisite Constantia Wineroute starts after 15 min. drive @ Steenberg
http://www.steenberg-vineyards.com/
https://constantiawineroute.com
You will reach Meerlust Winery in Stellenbosch in 35 min. from our house. https://www.wineroute.co.za http://www.meerlust.co.za/
Boschendal is the closest winery in Franschhoek, it will take around 60 min. to get there, as well as most Elgin wineries.
Cape Point Vineyards with amazing views is located only 25 min. away in Noordhoek.
For the bubbly lover - our favourite MCC producer is Charles Fox in Elgin. Production started only in 2012, yet they are among the best and most awarded MCC producers in South Africa. Not a bargain, but for sure value for money. Believe it or not, there are only very few Champagnes that we would prefer over Charles Fox, but then @ multiples of the price you will pay here https://charlesfox.co.za
Charles Fox delivers free of charge in the Cape Area (and to our house) from 6 bottles onwards, so for an extended stay make sure to think about this option!
Eating Out
East Lake Center at the entrance to the Marina housesthe excellent restaurant Escape* (Mexican), Shin Thai (Asian take away) and a Biltong place.
In Muizenberg we can recommend Live Bait* (Wednesday is Sushi Day – 50% off!), laid-back Lagerchinos*, Bombay Chilli* (Indian), Easy Tiger Burger* and Vida e Cafè*(breakfast).
Fast food @ Capricorn will be supplied by Roman’s Pizza, Fisherman’s Lane, KFC and McDonalds.
Bistro 1682* is located on Steenberg Estate, a real pleasure to the palate and to the eye, just 15 min. away.
*these places are offering free WIFI (as of 09/2019)
Groceries
At East Lake Shopping Center you will find a tiny grocery store in walking distance with milk and most urgently needed basic food.
You will find Pick’n Pay and Woolworth Food, as well as Clicks drugstore and shops for clothing just around the corner within Capricorn Shopping Center.
And a Pick’n Pay Express at the BP gas station is available 24/7.
For the fish lover - Behind Capricorn shopping center past the bar (you just have to register to get in, no big deal) we found Southern Cross, distributer of fine fish (mainly to restaurants, but also to the public). For less than 8 R. you will get fresh Saldana Oysters opened on the half shell (as of 09/2019), as well as most other local fishes including sushi-grade tuna. To get there: continue Capricorn N Blvd past the shopping center, register at the entrance (the guard will just note time of entry and exit for security reassons), take the right exit @ first circle, go straight through the second circle, after 200m you will see SAAB on the right side, next entry on the left will take you to Southern Cross. Enter the stairway to the left. http://www.southerncrossseafood.co.za
Another excellent place for food is Foodlovers Market in Tokai https://foodloversmarket.co.za/stores/tokai/
Shopping
see the section "Our Favourites"
On the way from the airport @ Access Park Outlet Center you will find shops of Timberland, Adidas, Nike, Puma,Levis, Cape Union Mart, Guess, Triumph, Asics, Emme and many others.