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 Sunday 8 June 2025 with a reserve day of Saturday 7 June. 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 the best way to follow the swimmers as they make their way along the coastline. 

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. Swimmers will pass by the South African Navy’s Lower North Battery (an 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 swim passes the safety and nutrition stop off Glencairn Beach before continuing on to Fish Hoek. As swimmers head into Fish Hoek Bay they will pass Sunnycove  before swimming parallel to Jager’s Walk before swimming 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. 

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 or Wetsuits categories

- Swimmers can choose to take part in the Racing Pod or Adventure Pod

- The Racing Pod swimmers must be able to swim 1km in under 20 minutes. Only Racing Pod swimmers are eligible for category prizes

- There will be a Maurten nutrition 'raft' with their 'Race Mix' and supported by Paddle Experience at the halfway mark off Glencairn Beach 

- There will be a safety cut off enforced at Glencairn Beach . If instructed to exit the water by the safety team the swimmer must comply (NO EXCEPTIONS!)

- Swimmers are permitted to have their own support craft or support boat but application must be done so formally with the Event Organiser 

- There is no current assist during the swim and the section between Glencairn and Fish Hoek can be notoriously slower with opposing currents along this stretch

- The False Bay water temperatures during June can range between 10C to 15C whilst air temparatures are often cooler. Prepare yourself for a cold swim!

- The swim route may be adjusted and/or shortened for safety reasons at the discretion of the Event Organiser and its safety team

- The reserve day for The False Bay Express Swim is Saturday 7 June. The Bay picks the best day!

With special thanks to The False Bay Express Swim partners, Ocean Freedom, Maurten Nutrition, Number Thirteen, Demi Bucklow Artist, Mad Wave, Fable Designs, Paddle Experience, Shorebreak Cafe and Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club.

Event Organiser - Scott Tait 

Event Company - Swim Cape Town

Event Enquiries - 076 156 2619 / [email protected]