Welcome to Scarborough, an ocean-side village that’s been close to our hearts for more than two decades. A first encounter with this hidden gem was during a massive Atlantic storm that drove the bulk carrier Ikan Tanda onto a sandbar 300 meters off Scarborough beach in September 2001. In the driving rain and 10-meter swells, the village had an end-of-the-earth feel about it.

Since then, we’ve become regular visitors and part-time residents of Scarborough: starting with long-weekends to escape the hurly-burly of Joburg, followed by Christmas holidays and culminating with our wedding at a beach house in Beach Rd, 17 years ago. We sealed our vows by buying the property that was the forerunner of the Shore House, and for 12 months made our home there with our newly arrived daughter. 

We now live beside Lake Geneva in Switzerland, but the beauty of Scarborough and its starry southern skies keep drawing us back. The sea can be icy, but its startling aquamarine colour and unspoilt beaches are more than a match for the best that Thailand, Greece or the Caribbean can offer. Yes, it can also be wild when winter gales pound the Cape Peninsula, but that’s also part of its allure (thinking about reading “unputdownable” fireside thrillers + red wine + fondue + Cape of Storms beach walks).

Like few other places visited across almost 100 countries, Scarborough remains a haven of tranquillity: somewhere to kick back, take stock and occasionally make life-changing decisions. And when you’ve recharged, make the short trip north to Cape Town – rated as the world’s top city break in 2025 by Timeout – or tour the vineyards of nearby Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

Embrace the beauty and the elements, and enjoy your stay.

May 21, 2025