The False Bay Express Swim presents swimmers with a swim challenge and adventure like no other swim in Cape Town. The swim offers an 'Express' experience of the False Bay Coastline that is overflowing with wildlife, scenery and beauty. The False Bay Express Swim takes place on World Ocean's Saturday 8 June in 2024. Each km of the 6km swim is dedicated to one of the marine animals that can be found in our False Bay waters. Whether you love Whales, Dolphins, Seal, Sharks, Penguins or Stingrays each one can be seen or encountered at different times of the year. Let’s see which ones you encounter on your swim adventure!

The swim route between Simon's Town and Fish Hoek will require that swimmers use elements of endurance, navigation, fortitude and speed to successfully complete the 6km swim course. The swim route is very spectator friendly with the coastal walkway between Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek providing family and friends the rare opportunity of closely following their swimmer from start to finish! The swim route from Simon’s Town to Fish Hoek follows the same coastal route taken by the Southern line of the South African Railway and Cape Town’s Main Road with its coastal walkway being a great way to take in the sights and sounds of the South. 

The swim starts from Simon's Town where swimmers will swim out into Simon’s Bay before heading North ‘hugging’ the western False Bay coastline towards the halfway point at Glencairn Beach. Swimmers will pass by the South African Navy’s Lower North Battery (active cannon range) before passing the first marine marker of the Clan Stewart wreck at Mackeral Beach across from the Harbour Bay Mall.  The coastline hug passes Glencairn Beach and enters Fish Hoek Bay close to Sunnycove to then swim in alongside Jager’s Walk before swimmers will swim across Fish Hoek bay to finish on the beach at the Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club.

Swim check in will take place at Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club on the morning of the Swim. A shuttle service will be in operation from Fish Hoek to Simon's Town Waterfront through On the Go Chaffeurs and Tours.

IMPORTANT SWIM INFORMATION

- ALL Swimmers must wear a brightly coloured swim cap (ONLY Orange, Pink, Yellow, Green or Red will be accepted)

- Tow Floats are compulsory for this swim (No float No Swim)

- Swimmers may take part in either the Skins (swimskins permitted) or Wetsuits categories.

- There will be a nutrition 'raft' fueled by Maurten Nutrition's 'Race Mix' at the 3km mark 

- There will be a safety cut off enforced at Glencairn (4km mark)

- Swimmers are permitted to have their own support craft or support boat but this must be cleared with the Event Organiser first

- There is no current assist during the swim

- The False Bay water temperatures during winter can range between 10 to 15C (so prepare yourself for a cold swim!)

- The swim route may be adjusted and/or shortened for safety reasons depending on conditions

- The reserve day for The False Bay Express Swim is Sunday 9 June

With special thanks to The False Bay Express Swim partners, Ocean Freedom, Number Thirteen, David Bucklow Fine Artist, Fable Designs, Maurten Nutrition, On the Go Chaffeurs and Tours, Paddle Experience, Shorebreak Cafe and Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club.

Event Organiser - Scott Tait 

Event Company - Swim Cape Town

Event Contact - 076 156 2619 / [email protected]