The Crystal Pools near Gordon’s Bay is a wonderful place for anyone to enjoy a cool swim after a long walk. You have to park your car and walk through a hiking trail for about an hour before you reach the cool pools where swimming is permitted, so be sure to wear something comfortable. However, do not make the mistake of not purchasing your permits before you begin the long walk up the mountain. The permits are cheap, and reaching the pools without one will have the rangers forcing you to turn around and head right back to your car, without putting as much as a toe into the wonderfully cooling water.
Rock jumping is allowed, or you can just sit and relax watching the waterfalls at the Crystal Pools near Gordon’s Bay. Although rock jumping is allowed, it is not recommended as many people have had awful accidents, some fatal, by jumping off the rocks here. This is one of the most beautiful places to visit if you’re on your way to Cape Town, so be sure to pay it a visit when you are feeling very energetic. Of course the best time to do this is in summer, but a cool autumn or spring day would be good too as then it isn’t scorching hot while you embark on an hours walk on the hiking trail up the mountain.
This will be one of the most rewarding swimming experiences of your life and will definitely be one you won’t forget any time soon. The perfect place to just chill and relax if you don’t feel like getting into the water, surrounded by nature and its beauty is an experience on its own! Make sure the Crystal Pools near Gordons Bay is on your list of places to visit as it is an amazing experience that will definitely have you returning with your friends and family that are up for the walk.
You will find the place to buy your permits at a small hut at the beginning of the hiking trail before you go through a gate in the fence. This is located on the coastal road which winds around the mountains past beaches such as Kogel Bay, Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond.