False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide. False Bay Yacht Club is based at Simon’s Town on the western shore of False Bay, approximately 16 nautical miles north of Cape Point. Simon’s Bay lies between Oatlands Point to the north and Miller’s Point to the south. The town developed around the naval dockyard, fishing activity and coastal shipping routes through False Bay. The surrounding water supports naval operations, yacht racing, fishing vessels, rescue craft and passenger boats. The Simon’s Town waterfront remains part of an operating naval port rather than an unrestricted recreational harbour.

False Bay extends between Cape Point and Cape Hangklip and contains reefs, shoals and rock outcrops separated by water deeper than 30 metres. The bay is open to swell entering from the south, while the Cape Peninsula gives the western shore partial protection from southwest ocean swell. Wind-driven circulation controls most surface movement within the bay. Roman Rock marks the main offshore danger east of Simon’s Town and provides the principal lighthouse reference inside False Bay. The naval harbour wall encloses the yacht basin and separates it from the outer anchorage.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - History

The Simon’s Town shoreline contains evidence of precolonial occupation associated with Khoekhoe communities and earlier coastal groups. Shell middens, stone tools and food remains occur along the western False Bay coast, including sites around Miller’s Point south of the town. These deposits record fishing, shellfish collection and repeated coastal occupation. The sites are protected under South African heritage law. Stone tools, pottery, shell material and other archaeological objects must not be removed from beaches, caves or exposed deposits.

Simon van der Stel identified Simon’s Bay as a winter anchorage during the Dutch colonial period, and the Dutch East India Company adopted the bay as its winter harbour in 1741. The British occupied the Cape in 1795 and developed Simon’s Town as a naval base because Table Bay was exposed to winter northwesterly storms. Harbour works expanded during the nineteenth century, while the Roman Rock Lighthouse entered service in 1861. Construction of the naval breakwater and Selborne dry dock transformed the harbour during the period from 1900 to 1910. Control of the dockyard transferred from the Royal Navy to the South African Navy in 1957, and False Bay Yacht Club developed beside the naval harbour after its formation in 1958.

The Martello Tower near the waterfront dates from the first British occupation of the Cape during the 1790s. It formed part of the defensive system protecting Simon’s Bay and the naval anchorage. The structure was later whitewashed and used as a conspicuous coastal reference. It now forms part of the local naval heritage area. Access remains subject to the operating arrangements of the naval museum and surrounding base.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Ocean Currents and Tidal Flow

The Agulhas Current flows southwestward outside False Bay and does not pass directly through Simon’s Bay. Eddies and intrusions from the current can enter the southern part of False Bay, but they do not establish a fixed set for coastal pilotage. Surface circulation within the bay responds mainly to wind direction and duration. Southeast wind normally produces clockwise circulation, with northward movement along sections of the eastern bay and a return flow toward the south along the Cape Peninsula. Northwest wind can reverse this pattern and generate an anticlockwise circulation.

False Bay has a semi-diurnal tide with two high waters and two low waters during each lunar day. The mean spring range at Simon’s Town is approximately 1.5–1.6 metres, while the largest astronomical range can approach 2 metres. Tidal streams around the marina entrance and naval harbour are weak compared with wind-driven flow, but tide height affects under-keel clearance at the working dock and shallow berth positions. The tidal stream becomes more apparent around Roman Rock, Whittle Rock and the confined water between the naval wall and the shore. Use the current South African tide table for Simon’s Town and calculate berth clearance from chart datum rather than mean sea level.

Wind set can move a yacht across the approach faster than the tidal stream. A prolonged southeast wind sets surface water toward the northwestern part of False Bay and can produce a cross-track set during the approach from Roman Rock. Northwest wind drives water toward the southeast and produces movement away from the Simon’s Town shore. Compare heading with course over ground throughout the approach. Do not apply a fixed False Bay current allowance.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Weather

Simon’s Town has a winter frontal regime and a summer southeast-wind regime. Cold fronts move from west to east, producing falling pressure, north or northwest wind, rain and a shift through west to southwest. The strongest winter conditions inside Simon’s Bay normally occur before or during the frontal passage when northwest wind blows along the western shore. This wind produces chop, spray and load on yachts lying in the outer anchorage. Southwest swell can remain after the wind shift and can enter False Bay around Cape Point.

Summer weather is controlled by the South Atlantic high-pressure system. Repeated southeast wind cycles develop after pressure rises south or southwest of the Cape Peninsula. The wind can persist for more than seven days and can exceed 30 knots in Simon’s Bay, with stronger gusts descending from the peninsula. Low cloud can cover the mountain slopes while the water remains clear below. A yacht approaching from offshore can lose visual contact with the shoreline and harbour structures during cloud, rain or sea spray.

Fog occurs when moist air crosses colder coastal water or when low cloud descends over the peninsula. Roman Rock can remain visible while the shoreline is obscured, or the opposite can occur. Entry requires positive identification of Roman Rock, the naval harbour wall and the Bullnose sector. Harbour lighting and shore lighting make visual separation more difficult after dark. Radar and corrected electronic charts remain necessary when visibility reduces.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Local Winds

The South-Easter is the principal summer wind and is also called the Cape Doctor. It blows across the Cape Peninsula and into False Bay, with local direction altered by the mountain ridges above Simon’s Town. Sustained speeds above 30 knots occur, and gusts near 70 knots have been recorded within the marina area. The wind can shift between southeast and south as it descends into Simon’s Bay. Mooring loads increase because the yacht basin remains exposed to gusts despite protection from ocean swell.

The Black South-Easter is a southeast wind accompanied by low cloud, rain or reduced visibility. It differs operationally from the dry southeast cycle because visual marks can disappear while wind strength remains high. The cloud base can obscure the mountain and harbour background. Spray across the naval wall can reduce visibility of small craft and mooring lines. Do not treat a southeast wind as an offshore harbour wind without checking the gust pattern inside Simon’s Bay.

The North-Wester is the principal winter harbour wind. It crosses the water from the northern and western sectors and can increase from moderate force to more than 40 knots within a short period. The outer designated anchorage is exposed to this wind and develops short, steep chop. The marina remains protected by the naval wall but experiences gusting, surge and loading on pontoons and ground tackle. A forecast northwest frontal wind requires berth confirmation before entering Simon’s Bay.

A berg wind arrives from the inland sector ahead of some cold fronts or coastal lows. It produces dry air, higher temperature and reduced visibility from haze or smoke. The offshore wind can end with a rapid shift to northwest, west or southwest. The later frontal wind controls the required mooring arrangement.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Approaches

From Cape Point, remain clear of the rock coast and offshore dangers while turning north into False Bay. The current Cape Point lighthouse provides the main coastal reference, but the light does not define a route through the reefs north of the cape. Maintain water deeper than 30 metres until clear of the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope rock platforms. Proceed north or northeast on a charted track that clears submerged dangers along the western shore. Identify Roman Rock before turning toward Simon’s Town.

From the eastern or northern side of False Bay, route clear of Whittle Rock and Roman Rock using South African chart SAN 1016. Whittle Rock lies in the western-central part of the bay and has a least charted depth of approximately 3.2 metres. Breaking water can extend beyond the shallowest section during long-period swell. Roman Rock lies directly east of Simon’s Town and cannot be passed without positive position control. Do not navigate between charted dangers using visual estimation of distance from the shore.

The marina’s published approach begins at approximately 34°10.080′S, 18°27.720′E. From this position proceed toward 34°11.250′S, 18°26.000′E, then close the naval harbour wall and Bullnose area under naval traffic control. This route keeps the yacht in charted water west of Roman Rock and outside the naval entrance until contact is established. The waypoints are approach references rather than a substitute for the current chart. Maintain clearance from warships, submarines, naval tugs and vessels entering or leaving the main harbour.

Commercial fishing vessels, naval craft, training boats and passenger vessels operate throughout Simon’s Bay. Naval vessels can enter or leave with escort craft and without following the movement pattern of recreational boats. The area extending 300 metres outside the naval entrance must remain clear. Do not wait, anchor or conduct sail handling within the harbour approach. Complete sail reduction and engine checks before closing Roman Rock.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Navigation

Call the South African Navy port-control station using the call sign Bullnose on VHF Channel 17 before approaching the naval harbour entrance. State the yacht’s name, position, direction of travel, draught and destination at False Bay Yacht Club. Bullnose maintains a 24-hour watch and controls movement within the naval port. Do not enter the harbour-control area until permission is received. Maintain a continuous watch on Channel 17 until secured in the marina or directed to the designated anchorage.

After passing the published approach waypoints, proceed toward the Bullnose area outside the yacht marina. Keep clear of the main naval channel and comply with every course, speed or waiting instruction. The naval harbour wall can mask smaller vessels leaving the marina until they clear the wall. Reduce speed before entering the small-craft area, but retain enough speed for rudder control in crosswind. The speed limit within the small-craft harbour area is 6 knots, with lower speed required within 100 metres of pontoons and swing moorings.

The marina entrance lies inside the protection of the naval harbour wall. Proceed directly to the position allocated by Simon’s Town Marina Company or False Bay Yacht Club. The working dock positions W6–W8 are limited to yachts drawing no more than approximately 1.8 metres. Visitor dock positions V6–V7 can accept draughts up to approximately 4 metres, subject to current depth and berth availability. Do not enter an empty berth unless the berth number has been allocated because most marina positions are privately controlled.

Naval harbour navigation rules prohibit anchoring within 30 metres of a naval quay, jetty, wall or breakwater. Vessels must remain outside demarcated channels unless crossing under naval instruction. Do not obstruct the movement of a naval vessel, pilot craft, tug or rescue boat. Navigation lights, shapes and sound signals remain mandatory inside the port. A yacht leaving the marina must contact Bullnose before entering the naval movement area.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Lighthouses and Lights

Roman Rock Lighthouse — D6140. Roman Rock Lighthouse stands on the reef east of Simon’s Town at approximately 34°10.87′S, 18°27.61′E. The lighthouse entered service on 16 September 1861 and is the only South African lighthouse constructed on a single offshore rock. The circular tower is approximately 14 metres high, with a focal height of approximately 17 metres. The characteristic is Fl W 6s, displaying one white flash every 6 seconds. The nominal range is approximately 20 nautical miles.

Roman Rock marks the reef but does not mark every part of the surrounding foul ground. Give the light the clearance shown on SAN 1016 and SAN 1017. Do not pass close to the structure in darkness or during swell because breaking water can extend beyond the visible rock. The lighthouse remains the principal fixed reference for the marina approach.

Cape Point Lighthouse. The operating Cape Point lighthouse stands below the old upper lighthouse at approximately 34°21′26″S, 18°29′49″E. The characteristic is Gp Fl(3) W 30s, displaying three white flashes every 30 seconds. The nominal range is approximately 34 nautical miles. The lower position places the light below the cloud layer more often than the former summit station. It marks the southwestern entrance to False Bay but does not define clearance from Bellows Rock, Anvil Rock or the Cape Point shoreline.

Slangkop Lighthouse. Slangkop Lighthouse stands at Kommetjie on the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula. It is relevant to vessels approaching Cape Point from Cape Town or the northwest. The white circular tower is approximately 33 metres high, with a focal height of about 40 metres. The characteristic is Fl(4) W 30s, displaying four white flashes every 30 seconds. Its nominal range is approximately 30 nautical miles.

Cape Hangklip Lighthouse. Cape Hangklip Lighthouse marks the eastern entrance to False Bay at approximately 34°23.2′S, 18°49.7′E. The tower is approximately 22 metres high, with a focal height near 33 metres. The characteristic is Fl W 10s, displaying one white flash every 10 seconds. The nominal range is approximately 25 nautical miles. It is the main coastal light for a yacht entering False Bay from the east.

Simon’s Town Naval Harbour Lights. The Bullnose and naval entrance lights are controlled aids within the naval harbour. Their status and characteristics must be taken from the current South African List of Lights and Notices to Mariners. Navigation warnings have recorded intermittent operation of Simon’s Town lights. Do not rely on a naval harbour light as the sole means of identifying the marina entrance. Confirm position by radar, chart, depth and direct instructions from Bullnose.

Marina and Pontoon Lights. Pontoon lighting and shore lighting identify marina structures but are not charted leading lights. Sections of the marina can remain dark during power failures or maintenance. Background lighting from Simon’s Town can obscure small craft and navigation marks. Use low speed and maintain a bow lookout when entering after dark. Confirm the allocated berth before passing the marina entrance.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Chart Accuracy

Use South African chart SAN 1016, Valsbaai, at approximately 1:50,000 for navigation within False Bay. Use SAN 1017, Simon’s Bay, at approximately 1:10,000 for Roman Rock, the naval harbour and the yacht marina approaches. SAN 136, Table Bay to Valsbaai, provides coastal passage coverage at approximately 1:100,000. SAN 120, Cape Point to Cape Agulhas, provides offshore passage coverage at approximately 1:150,000. Small-craft charts SAN SC4 and SAN SC5 include Simon’s Town insets at approximately 1:6,000.

Apply current South African Notices to Mariners before entering False Bay. Corrections can include intermittent lights, reported shoals, altered marks and naval restrictions. Some electronic-chart display settings suppress reported shoal information when operating in standard display mode. Activate all depth contours, isolated-danger symbols and navigation notes before approaching Roman Rock or Whittle Rock. Do not use a simplified chart-plotter display for the final approach.

The marina pontoons and naval harbour walls are fixed structures, but berth depth and local silting can change. Electronic charts do not provide current berth availability, private-berth ownership or operating depth at the working dock.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Anchorages

Simon’s Town Designated Naval Anchorage.  The authorised yacht anchorage lies southwest of the naval harbour within a triangle defined by the following positions:

• 34°10.92′S, 18°25.67′E
• 34°11.23′S, 18°25.67′E
• 34°11.23′S, 18°25.87′E

Depths range from approximately 5–10 metres above chart datum. The seabed consists of sand mixed with stones. Holding varies where the anchor lands on stone or compacted ground, so the anchor must be set under engine load before the vessel is secured. Allow for a complete wind reversal between southeast and northwest because both sectors occur in Simon’s Bay.

The anchorage is exposed to southeast and northwest wind. Southeast gusts descend from the peninsula and can exceed the general False Bay forecast. Northwest wind generates a short onshore sea and can make the anchorage untenable. Southwest ocean swell is reduced by Cape Point and the western shore but can still produce movement after a frontal passage. The South African Navy requires a continuous 24-hour anchor watch while a yacht remains in this anchorage.

No yacht may anchor elsewhere within the naval port without written naval permission. Keep the naval channel, marina entrance and the area within 300 metres of the main harbour entrance clear. Do not anchor within 30 metres of a naval structure. Confirm anchoring permission with Bullnose before releasing the anchor.

Emergency Mooring Buoy. An orange emergency buoy lies at approximately 34°11.276′S, 18°25.938′E. It is marked EMERGENCY and has a stated rating of approximately 17 tonnes. The buoy carries a pickup arrangement and heavy rope strop. Secure a second independent line after the primary connection is made. This buoy is for emergency use and is not a general visitor mooring.  The stated rating does not establish suitability for every yacht in every wind condition. Displacement, windage, line lead and forecast load remain controlling factors. Notify Bullnose and Simon’s Town Marina Company immediately when using the buoy. Vacate the buoy when directed.

Marina Swing Moorings. Swing moorings lie within the managed Simon’s Town small-craft area. They are allocated by Simon’s Town Marina Company and cannot be picked up without permission. Depth, tackle rating and vessel-size limits differ between positions. Obtain the mooring number and load acceptance before arrival. Inspect the pickup line, visible chain and connection before leaving the yacht unattended.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Entry Formalities

Simon’s Town is not a South African maritime port of entry. Customs, Immigration, Border Management, Port Health and agricultural clearance are not routinely available at False Bay Yacht Club. An international yacht must complete arrival clearance at a designated port before proceeding coastwise to Simon’s Town. Cape Town is the nearest designated clearance port. A yacht arriving from the east can use another approved port of entry before continuing along the South African coast.

Carry the vessel registration, crew list, passports, Customs release, Immigration clearance and coastwise movement documentation on board. Simon’s Town Marina Company can require these documents before providing a visitor berth. Foreign yachts are normally limited to six months in South African waters unless a formal extension is granted. Final international departure must be completed through a designated clearance port. Simon’s Town cannot issue outward international clearance.

Temporary membership of False Bay Yacht Club is required for visiting crews using club and marina facilities. Submit the yacht’s length, beam, draught, displacement, registration, insurance and skipper qualification before arrival. The yacht must meet South African safety requirements applicable to its operation. Marina management can refuse entry where documentation, berth dimensions or vessel condition do not meet the operating requirements.

Firearms, ammunition, controlled medicines, animals, plant material, meat, dairy products, seeds and undeclared commercial goods must have been declared at the port of entry. Pets remaining aboard remain subject to the clearance documents under which they entered South Africa. Animals are not permitted inside the yacht-club buildings or grounds except while passing through under control on a lead. Waste from an international voyage must be landed only under the applicable clearance and disposal arrangements.

Starlink and other satellite terminals remain subject to South African electronic-communications licensing, spectrum and equipment-approval requirements. A foreign roaming account does not establish authority to operate the terminal within South Africa. Naval security can require transmitting equipment to be switched off within controlled areas. Comply immediately with any instruction issued by Bullnose or naval security.

Drone operation is subject to South African civil-aviation rules and naval-port security. Recreational drones must remain within visual line of sight, below 150 feet unless specific approval exists, and operate in daylight and clear weather. No drone may be launched from the marina, naval property or a yacht within the naval port without written permission. Do not fly over warships, submarines, dockyard facilities, personnel, private vessels or the harbour entrance.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Marina Facilities

Simon’s Town Marina Company controls and manages the False Bay Yacht Club moorings, visitor docks, swing moorings, slipping facilities and hardstanding. The marina lies behind the naval harbour wall within the Simon’s Town naval-port limits. It contains approximately 260 walk-on moorings together with managed swing moorings. Most walk-on berths are privately controlled, so visible vacant space does not establish visitor availability. A berth is confirmed only when Simon’s Town Marina Company issues the berth number.

Visitor dock positions V6–V7 can accommodate yachts drawing up to approximately 4 metres, subject to present depth and berth geometry. Working dock positions W6–W8 are limited to approximately 1.8 metres draught. These limits apply to the stated dock sections and not to every berth in the marina. Provide the yacht’s actual loaded draught before allocation. Do not use another open berth without written or direct marina approval.

All managed marina berths have water and electricity connections. The supply is unmetered under the current marina arrangement, but connection type, amperage and cable reach depend on berth position. Confirm voltage and shore-earth integrity before connecting. Do not run leads or hoses across a working access route without protection. Disconnect immediately where overheating, reverse polarity or earth leakage is detected.

The Simon’s Town Marina Company office operates Monday to Friday from approximately 08:30 to 17:00. Weekend visitor arrangements are handled through False Bay Yacht Club until approximately 12:00, subject to prior booking. Arrivals outside office hours require a confirmed berth number and contact arrangement. Bullnose controls port movement but does not allocate recreational berths.

The marina uses a sling-lift system on the main slipway. Current public information does not state a universal lifting-capacity figure, so acceptance depends on the yacht’s displacement, beam, keel configuration and lifting geometry. The hardstanding accommodates approximately 11 vessels. Haul-out requires advance booking, current insurance, vessel documentation and compliance with yard safety rules. Do not schedule underwater work or dismantling until the lift and hardstanding period is confirmed.

False Bay Yacht Club provides toilets, showers, change rooms, Wi-Fi, a meeting room, bar, restaurant and controlled shore access. These facilities operate under temporary membership and club hours. Marina security and naval access rules remain in force when club facilities are closed. Visitors must use the allocated gate and identification procedure. False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide has important information.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Provisioning

Supermarkets.  Pick n Pay Harbour Bay and Woolworths Food Harbour Bay are the principal supermarkets serving Simon’s Town. Both operate from Harbour Bay Centre at the junction of Main Road and Dido Valley Road, approximately 4 kilometres by road north of False Bay Yacht Club. The centre publishes trading hours of 09:00–18:00 Monday to Sunday, with individual store and public-holiday hours subject to change. A vehicle or delivery arrangement is required for bulk food, bottled water and heavy stores.  

Central Simon’s Town contains smaller convenience, bakery and food outlets along St George’s Street, but no central full-line supermarket equivalent to the Harbour Bay stores. Do not base bulk provisioning on waterfront convenience outlets. Vehicle access to the marina remains subject to naval and marina gate control. Arrange delivery instructions before dispatching a large order.

Fish Hoek contains additional supermarkets approximately 10 kilometres north by road. These outlets provide an alternative when Harbour Bay stock or operating hours do not meet the passage requirement. Road congestion along Main Road can delay transport during weekday and holiday periods. Keep chilled and frozen stores insulated during the return to the marina.

Markets. No fixed daily produce or farmers market operates in Simon’s Town. Harbour Bay hosts event markets on selected dates, but these do not provide a dependable provisioning schedule.  Earth Fair Market operates at South Palms Centre, Tokai, approximately 25–30 kilometres from Simon’s Town by road. The recurring schedule is Wednesday from approximately 16:00–21:00 and Saturday from approximately 08:30–14:00. Producers sell vegetables, fruit, bread, eggs, cheese, meat products and preserves. A road vehicle is required, and return time varies with traffic through Fish Hoek and Ou Kaapse Weg.

Fish Markets.  There is no fixed public fresh-fish market inside False Bay Yacht Club or the Simon’s Town naval harbour. Naval and working quays cannot be entered for fish purchases without permission.  Kalk Bay harbour, approximately 12 kilometres north by road, has authorised fish vendors associated with local commercial landings. Sales depend on vessel arrivals, legal catches and weather, so no fixed daily species list or dependable closing time applies. Purchase only from an established vendor operating from the harbour sales area. 

Regional seafood includes snoek; Cape hake, called stokvis in Afrikaans; yellowtail, called geelstert; kob, called kabeljou; geelbek, also called Cape salmon; hottentot seabream; red roman, called rooi roman; kingklip; Cape Hope squid, called chokka; mussels; and West Coast rock lobster when legal seasonal supply is available. Catch restrictions, closed seasons and marine protected areas affect availability. Maintain the cold chain from purchase to the yacht.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Local Cuisine

Simon’s Town food reflects False Bay fishing and Cape cooking. Snoek braai consists of snoek cooked over coals with salt, lemon, butter or an apricot-based glaze. Hake and slap chips consists of fried hake served with thick-cut chips. Ingelegde vis, or pickled fish, uses cooked fish preserved with vinegar, onion, turmeric and spices. Vispotjie is fish or mixed seafood cooked in a cast-iron pot with vegetables and stock.

Yellowtail, kob and line fish are grilled, fried or cooked whole when legal landings are available. Mosselpot consists of mussels cooked with onion, herbs, stock, cream or wine. Chokka is prepared as grilled tubes, fried strips or whole cleaned squid. 

Cape dishes include bobotie, made from spiced minced meat baked beneath an egg topping; denningvleis, a sweet-and-sour meat dish; and waterblommetjiebredie, a lamb stew containing waterblommetjies. Boerewors is seasoned sausage cooked over coals. Roosterkoek is bread cooked over a fire. Koeksisters are plaited fried pastries soaked in syrup, while Cape Malay koesisters use spiced dough and a coconut coating.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Local Beverages

National beers available through licensed outlets include Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Carling Black Label and Hansa Pilsener. Craft beer from Cape Town producers is distributed through local shops and licensed premises. 

Cape Point Vineyards at Noordhoek is the nearest wine producer to Simon’s Town. Its production includes Sauvignon Blanc and blended white wines associated with the Cape Peninsula’s coastal conditions. Western Cape wines from Constantia, Stellenbosch and the wider Cape districts are available at Harbour Bay and licensed bottle stores. Alcohol may be carried through the naval gate only in accordance with marina and club rules..

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Diesel Fuel Supplies

Naval fuel facilities are not available to recreational vessels. Do not enter Simon’s Town relying on an immediate alongside fuel transfer. Confirm any authorised supplier, transfer location and quantity before arrival.  Road diesel is available from filling stations in Simon’s Town, Glencairn and Fish Hoek. Limited quantities can be moved in approved sealed containers, subject to naval-gate, marina and fire-safety controls. Containers must remain secured during transport and must not be stored on a pontoon. Obtain approval before bringing repeated container loads through the naval access point.

A larger delivery requires prior agreement from Simon’s Town Marina Company, naval security and the supplier. The transfer route cannot obstruct a pontoon, fire access, naval movement or the sling-lift area. Position absorbent material around the deck fill and block the scuppers before transfer. Stop filling before diesel reaches the vent outlet.

South African road diesel is supplied under national specifications, but water and sediment can enter during storage or transfer. Take a clear sample from the first fuel delivered and isolate any contaminated load. Use the yacht’s deck-fill filter and primary water-separating filter. Record the grade and quantity loaded into each tank.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Water Supplies

Fresh municipal water is available at every managed marina berth under the current Simon’s Town Marina Company arrangement. Water is also available at the visitor and working docks. Confirm the connection point belonging to the allocated berth. Do not connect to a naval or maintenance outlet without permission.

Flush the tap and shore hose before connecting to the yacht. Use a hose reserved for potable water and keep the end clear of seawater, fuel-transfer areas and pontoon surfaces. Municipal treatment does not prevent contamination introduced by the hose or onboard tank. Apply onboard filtration and tank disinfection where the transfer route is suspect.

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False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Marine Service

Simon’s Town Marina Company maintains the sling lift, main slipway and hardstanding. Eleven vessels can be accommodated on the hardstanding under the present arrangement. Lift acceptance depends on actual displacement, hull form, keel geometry, beam and safe sling positions. Yard access and contractor work remain subject to marina and naval rules. Glen’s Diesel Services undertakes local marine-engine work. No verified Volvo Penta, Yanmar, Nanni Diesel or Beta Marine authorised agent is based inside Simon’s Town marina

VETUS/MAXWELL South Africa operates from Paarden Eiland in Cape Town and provides the regional authorised source for VETUS and Maxwell products. Attendance or delivery to Simon’s Town requires prior arrangement.  Southern Point Marine provides fibreglass repair and boatbuilding work. Cape Point Sailing and Rigging provides rigging work. Marine Antifouling Services and Diving Boat Valet provide hull and underwater services under marina approval.

The Chandlery supplies marine equipment, hardware and spares within the Simon’s Town service network. Regional sail and rigging contractors include North Sails, Ullman Sails, Associated Rigging and TS Rigging Solutions. No verified locally based authorised Raymarine, B&G or Simrad service agent operates inside False Bay Yacht Club. 

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Local Etiquette

Simon’s Town is an operating naval port. Naval security instructions take priority over yacht-club access or recreational activity. Keep at least 30 metres clear of naval quays, jetties, walls and breakwaters unless Bullnose directs otherwise. Keep the area extending 300 metres outside the main naval entrance clear. Do not enter a marked naval channel or restricted basin.

Photography of naval ships, submarines, dockyard infrastructure, security positions and personnel can be restricted. Stop photography immediately when directed. Do not use a drone, long-lens camera or recording equipment to examine naval facilities. A public waterfront position does not remove naval security controls.

The small-craft speed limit is 6 knots, with lower speed required near pontoons, moorings and occupied vessels. Wake must not load pontoons or cause contact between moored yachts. Contact Bullnose before every arrival and departure. Complete the club sign-out, sign-in and voyage-plan procedures when required.

Visiting crews use the marina under temporary False Bay Yacht Club membership. Private berths, vessels and storage spaces cannot be used without permission. Keep hoses, cables, sails, tenders and tools inside the allocated berth area. Do not obstruct the sling lift, hardstanding or emergency access routes.

Pets are not permitted inside club buildings or general club grounds. Controlled passage on a lead is permitted where required to move between the yacht and the exit. Keep the animal aboard unless shore access has been approved. Remove all waste and do not use naval or marina working areas for exercising an animal.

English and Afrikaans are used throughout the club and marina, with isiXhosa also spoken in the Cape Town area. Begin an interaction with a greeting before giving the vessel request. Goeie môre means good morning in Afrikaans, while Molo is an isiXhosa greeting to one person.

False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide - Summary

False Bay Yacht Club provides controlled yacht berthing inside the Simon’s Town naval harbour. Entry requires contact with Bullnose on VHF Channel 17, compliance with naval channels and a berth allocated by Simon’s Town Marina Company. The marina provides visitor docks, water, electricity, haul-out access and local contractors, while international clearance, public diesel dispensing and unrestricted anchoring are not available. These controls define the False Bay Yacht Club Sailing Guide and all you need to know.