Kommetjie is a rustic seaside village nestling between Slangkop Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean.

It is very famous for it's crayfishing, surfing and bird life. The name derives from "Little Bowl' the sheltered natural tidal pool which has provided holidaymakers with safe bathing since the turn of the century.

"Die Kom" was first sighted by Antonia de Saldanha as early as 1503. Lord Charles Somerset erected a hunting lodge here around 1815 which is now known as Honeysuckle Cottage. The first beach houses were built in 1900. Before that holiday makers camped in the Milkwood groves which are now a protected species.

The coastline around the Kom and the offshore reefs provide ideal conditions for huge kelp beds where crayfish, perlemoen and shellfish abound.

The kelp which is regularly washed up on the shore by the pounding waves starts to rot ...... emitting an offensive odour at times ..... this breeds myriads of insects, which in turn attract bird life. It is the only place on the mainland where four different species of Cormorant can be seen roosting together and is also a winter roosting spot for the Antartic Terns.

Surfers all over the world have enjoyed riding the numerous excellent surf spots around Kommetjie. Despite the cold water temperatures, which require the wearing of wetsuits, Long Beach has become the Peninsula's most popular surfing beach and competition venue.........however, it is the big wave spots that have achieved international renown, with Outer Kom which is 200 metres off the lighthouse, surfable in waves up to five metres. Sunset Reef , approximately a kilometre off long Beach has been known to have waves of up to eight metres which have been ridden.

Places of interest include the Light House at Slangkoppunt - built around 1914 - which is the last steel lighthouse in the country.

Recreational activities include swimming, surfing, crayfishing, snorkeling (many divers snorkel around the reefs to catch crayfish), with the crayfish season running from November to April - canoeing and walking,. A 45 minute walk along Long Beach brings you to the wreck of the Kakapo about 100 metres above the waterline. This steam ship was run aground in a gale in 1900 - the captain apparently mistook Chapman's Peak for Cape Point.

If you continue walking along Long Beach you will come to Chapman's Peak and Noordhoek.

Surfing - Long Beach provides beach break surf and is rideable about 300 days of the year. The big wave reefs of Outerkom, Sunset Beach , Kelp Factory and Backyards are only for the more experienced.

Imhoff's Park offers the visitor a Nature Park. Africa's largest Bird Park in Hout Bay has established a park here - breeding ground of the giant African Cranes.......a Snake Park and various interesting shops have also been established here. Camel rides and horse rides are also a great attraction.