The pier at sunrise (or any other time of the day)

One of my favorite places to frequent outdoors is the Pier at the Waterfront. Simply enter the Waterfront, bypass the swarming mall and the luxurious Table Bay Hotel and continue until you reach a parking lot of sorts next to where the Helicopters operate. You’ll see the pier and in 10 minutes you are almost completely at sea, surrounded on 3 sides by water, with Robben Island to one side, the City, Waterfront and mountains to the other and the West Coastline stretching off into the distance. The end of the pier is about 500m from the start and should be avoided if the waves are crashing over – it’s not that pleasant in a storm and can be dangerous.

It is a different story altogether on a warm summers morning before daybreak. Take a flask of coffee and watch the sun rise over the distant blue Mountains lighting the way for the early fishermen and their boats. Seals delight as the first rays of sun dance on the sea while the Seagulls roar their approval and if you’re really lucky a school of dolphins might just bid you good morning with a swim past. I have also spotted whales there sometimes, less than 50m from the pier wall.

There are never too many people out at this time to marvel at Nature's display. The odd beanied fisherman armed with radio and tackle sets up for a few hours of fishing, a runner or two round the lighthouse, a father and son cycle by and 2 very tired looking ravers breath in the fresh sea air looking to refresh after a night of partying.

Of course any time of day is good to visit the pier, sunrise just happens to be my favourite.
Many an afternoon in mid summer can be quite an occasion, with a myriad of yachts, luxurious and modest, mixing it with the rubber ducks and jet skis while all try to avoid the enormous ocean liner been escorted by two sturdy tugs to its parking bay. A good place to ponder life while watching life go by at the entrance to Table Bay Harbour.

The pier is a must visit place which unfortunately and luckily at the same time escapes most of the thousands who visit the Waterfront on a daily basis.

See you next time