Words: Kit Heathcock | Images: Natasha Lassen
Mouille Point is as close as you can get to living on the ocean without being on a boat. The narrow ribbon of apartment buildings curves around the seafront between Granger Bay and Three Anchor Bay, enjoying a grandstand view of Table Bay and all the ocean’s moods, to the accompaniment of seagulls and salt spray, not to mention the incredible sunsets. And yet it’s an urban life, close to the CBD, with its own strip of beachfront cafes and, of course, the promenade joining up with the kilometres of the Sea Point promenade to make an active outdoor lifestyle easy and accessible.
Property
With land at a premium, this small beachfront suburb is mostly made up of apartment buildings, from solid spacious older blocks that have been renovated over the years to newer developments filling the spaces in between. Apartments with sea views are most in demand, but those at the back overlook the green expanse of Green Point Common and the golf course, Cape Town Stadium, Signal Hill and Table Mountain. So, there’s no such thing as a bad view here! The area is mostly made up of sectional title apartments with plenty of rental property and attracts a wide range people, from young professionals wanting to live close to work and play areas to retirees downsizing and long-term residents who love their neighbourhood. While there are no malls or retail developments within the suburb, residents do their everyday shopping at the local stores along Beach Road, which include Pick n Pay, Woolwoorths Food and services ranging from hairdressers and salons to doctors and dentists. For everything else in the way of retail therapy, the V&A Waterfront is a walk or short bus ride away.
Schooling
The apartment culture means that there are fewer families with school-age children in Mouille Point than other suburbs, but those who live in the area have Reddam House Atlantic Seaboard nearby. Sea Point High School and Camps Bay High School are an easy MyCiTi bus ride away and the City Bowl schools are also within comfortable reach.
Explore
For a live-work-play lifestyle, Mouille Point is hard to beat. The promenade is part of the daily routine for most residents, whether it’s a run before work, walking the dogs in the afternoon or a leisurely weekend cycle. It’s also the social hub of the neighbourhood. “On Sunday evenings you go for a walk along the promenade and find a dance floor in place with salsa dancing for anyone who wants to join,” says resident Robyn Bing. “It’s beautiful to watch.” She also loves cycling along the promenade to swim in one of the tidal pools or to venture to Camps Bay and beyond.
Another aspect of living in Mouille Point that Robyn appreciates is that she rarely has to use her car. When she goes into town for dinner, an Uber works out cheaper than parking and drops her right at the door. “When there’s something happening at the stadium, we can just walk there,” she says. “There might be more traffic than usual, but there’s a really good vibe, everyone’s happy and positive – I love it.”
For a change of scenery, slip through from Bay Road into Green Point Urban Park, where an enticing network of paths and green spaces include a wetland area and the biodiversity garden, plus a green exercise park with an open-air gym. Green Point Common is home to various sports clubs and the Metropolitan Golf Club, with a Virgin Active gym adjacent. If you want to get out onto the water, Kaskazi Kayaks offers guided excursions into the bay, where you can meet penguins and seals in their element, enjoy views of the city and mountain, and see Mouille Point from a new perspective.
“We’ll cycle along the promenade when the tide’s right and stop for a swim in one of the tidal pools or cycle all the way to Camps Bay for lunch. We can sit on our balcony and watch the world go by, and the sunsets are truly spectacular.”
Robyn Bing, resident
Eat:
- Manga: for great sushi
- The Hussar Grill: for mouth-watering steak meals
- Lilies: a chic environment for meeting up with friends
- The Creamery: for ice cream and freshly baked cookies
- Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront: for cocktails and sea views
- Newport Deli: for delicious breakfasts or lunches after walking the dog
Do:
- Take the kids to The Blue Train Park to ride the mini train and enjoy the outdoor ice rink and play areas.
- Play Putt-Putt on the promenade with the whole family.
- Visit Kaskazi Kayaks for kayak excursions on the bay.
- Enjoy concerts and sporting events at Cape Town Stadium.
- Enjoy picnics, walks and the biodiversity garden at Green Point Urban Park.
- Play nine holes and enjoy the spectacular views at the Metropolitan Golf Club.
Shop:
- Mouille Point’s Beach Road: for everyday grocery shopping and services
- John O’Connor Cycles boutique cycle store and workshop in Mouille Point: for bicycles and cycling accessories
- The Butcher Shop and Grill: a restaurant with a take-home deli and butchery
- V&A Waterfront: for upmarket retail outlets
- Oranjezicht City Farm market at Granger Bay on Saturdays: for fresh organic produce
- Cape Quarter in De Waterkant: for stylish decor options