Lovely, spacious apartment with ocean views from the main bedroom and living room.
Very well equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and laundry facilities.
Ideally located to explore the... read more surrounding area.
The hosts were very welcoming and offered good advice about the area.
Highly recommended!!

  Both the owners, and the accommodation were 1st class.

Dealing with the owners, and Avian Leisure, was such a pleasure in every respect.

Large lovely bedrooms and... read more open plan lounge/kitchen, with stunning views and a few extra surprises

  We were fortunate to finally spend some time in South Africa and particularly enjoyed our time in Simonstown on the Cape Peninsula.

We had booked a spacious one bedroom... read more apartment which ticked all the boxes. It was tastefully furnished, well equipped, and had good attention to detail

Our hosts had gone to considerable trouble to make sure we had an enjoyable stay. Marie-Louise welcomed us warmly and her husband kindly provided us with information about local walks as we had indicated that we enjoy walking

Do book with Avian Leisure, you will not be disappointed

  Beautifully situated on the mountainside overlooking the bay. Well equipped for two people. Good wifi. Delightful warm and friendly hosts. Charming village with great restaurants and so much to see... read more in the area.

  There is an expression - seeing is believing.

If you are looking for a fully equipped kitchen with laundry facilities and a spacious living area you, have it.... read more If you are looking for a 180 degree view of False Bay at sunrise and sunset, with the possibility of whale sightings, you have it. If you are looking for a relaxed ~ 3 km walk into Simonstown, the original naval base, followed by an energetic walk back uphill to work off the creamed scones, you have it. On your way, look out for the African Penguin who is sure to cross your path, and in the evening, don’t forget to look out from your balcony for the nightly visit of the resident porcupine. And if you are up for some adventure, Cape Point Nature Reserve is a just 10 km away!

Your host and hostess have a comprehensive knowledge of all things local, and their willingness to go the extra mile to assist guests with their travel needs, makes Shearwater a very unique and special experience. More

  The indigenous fynbos garden is alive with birds and just relaxing and watching the constant activity is rewarding.
Ideally placed for the Simon's Town quay where world famous pelagic birding... read more trips depart from, but I was not going on one this time.
Also perfect location for an early start to get into Cape Point Reserve before the crowds turn up.

  Lovely couple that made me feel at home whilst giving you your space to do your own thing. The apartment is super tidy and adorned with beautiful flowers from their... read more garden. Bird life is tranquil to watch while drinking a cup of coffee in the garden. I would recommend to bump up your stay and select the room with the sea view because it is spectacular. But for me as a business trip- the ground floor apartment was perfect.

  What an incredible stay!
I had been waiting for the moment intraprovincial travel was allowed again during the COVID pandemic, as I knew the first place I wanted to have... read more a getaway to was to return to Avian Leisure for a weekend away. I'd stayed there two years ago and our trip didn't disappoint! Strict hygiene protocols were in place so we felt very comfortable during these unusual times.

The views from the sea-facing apartment is just sensational and one really can sit on the balcony for hours, enjoying the views, reading a book and watching the beautiful birdlife in the gardens below. We were fortunate to see some whales in the bay and the local porcupine in the evening too.

The self-catering apartment is so well equipped, they really have thought of everything and anything to make your stay easy and comfortable.

Marie-Louise and Patrick are the most hospitable and lovely hosts. I cannot recommend this place enough!

  We had a few happy nights staying at Avian Leisure. Our accommodation was really good and the apartment is well equipped. Our host and hostess were extremely helpful and friendly.... read more We spent a day birding with them and, despite the weather, had a productive birding experience. I highly recommend Avian Leisure and suggest that birding with Patrick and Marie Louise is well worth while.

  This apartment was well appointed airy with all modern conveniences. The owners are on site but not intrusive, most helpful when we needed them. Surroundings were beautiful,we had... read more use of the gardens which gave lovely views of the Cape coast. Only 5 miutes from local amenities.Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.. So relaxing,peaceful and secure. Truly home fro home feel. More

  This apartment was well appointed airy with all modern conveniences. The owners are on site but not intrusive, most helpful when we needed them. Surroundings were beautiful,we had... read more use of the gardens which gave lovely views of the Cape coast. Only 5 miutes from local amenities.Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.. So relaxing,peaceful and secure. Truly home fro home feel.

  We love staying at Avian Leisure; this is our second time is as many visits to South Africa. We would definitely stay here again. The accommodations are large,... read more well-equipped (more so than many we've stayed at in our travels), and very comfortable - felt like home. Marie-Louise is an excellent host. Highly recommended.

  I found Avian Leisure looking for birding-related lodging, but as I was traveling with my spouse and another non-birding couple, we needed a base of operations in the Cape Town... read more area to suit all of us.

Avian Leisure more than delivered. The beautiful and comfortable two-bedroom/bath apartment was clean and comfy with all the amenities and a beautiful view. My non-birdy friends were delighted with the porcupine visits and the proximity to Boulder’s Beach and Simon’s Town restaurants.

Marie-Louise stayed in touch with us and was a helpful and considerate host. I spent two delightful days birding around the Cape with Patrick. We couldn’t have been happier with our stay.

Do note there are a couple of relatively steep stair flights in and out and it’s necessary to have car transportation to get to town.

  This is an ideal place to stay if you are looking for a centre for birding in the Western Cape. Convenient for Cape Point and for the various pelagic trips... read more from Simons Town.
Beautiful views from the property over the Bay and a comfortable apartment. Even likely visits from the resident porcupines on their nightly excursions through the fynbos gardens just below the large bedroom and lounge windows.

  Clean room + kitchen and huge living area. A beautiful garden look out to the False Bay with plenty of wild birds to entertain. The property is in a very... read more nice and quiet neighborhood with close approximity to the Simon Town center, as well as the Boulder Beach penguins colony and the Cape Point. The Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Garden, and the airport are all in less than 1 hour drive away. We really enjoyed our stay and certainly considering it in the future.

  I stayed at the Shearwater Apartment for 2 nights in September while I was planning a birdwatching tour for 2020. The apartment is spacious and comfortable with a spectacular view... read more of the Boulder Beach area on False Bay. There is also an extensive garden landscaped with native plants. Patrick and Mary-Louise were gracious and considerate hosts who provided me with a wealth of information on the area’s best birding sites as well as other helpful information regarding restaurants, local stores etc. The apartment is located in a. Quiet residential area of Simons Town and is within 15 minutes of Cape Point and only about an hour from Capetown. I highly recommend this property for anyone planning to visit this part of the Western Cape.

  Patrick and Marie-Louise's Avian Leasure in Simon's Town must be among the best accomodation on Cape Peninsula. The "Shearwater" apartment is very spacious and comfortable, but it's the veranda with... read more the amazing view of the fynbos garden and False Bay in the background that really stands out. Even if you are not a birdwatcher, you will enjoy the garden birds such as Malachite Sunbird (one of the best-looking birds of South Africa), Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Sugarbird, but also rarer species such as Klaas's Cuckoo. You may even spot the penguins from the veranda when they come ashore in the late afternoon (for close up views of the penguins you will have to visit nearby Boulders Beach). Marie-Louise is very helpful in organizing a pelagic (one day boat tours in search of albatrosses and other sea birds) departing from the local harbour and Patrick knows all there is to know about birdwatching in the Cape area.

  Our second visit. Avian is perfect. Beautifully designed and equipped, including fast internet and TV (with BBC and ITV). Ideally situated. Friendly and helpful owners next door. The view over... read more False Bay is amazing, and again we saw whales. Simon's Town is the most relaxing, safe and friendly town in the Cape. Apart from the Boulders Beach penguin viewing platform, it isn't swamped by tourists, and is still a genuine community, with a good mix of all South Africans (not a rich white enclave like many other sea side towns).

Tips: try the sea kayaking with Kayak Cape Town; eat at the Lighthouse Cafe; go to the south beach in the Boulders park, go over the boulders and find lots of penguins that you can photograph and swim with; shop at the new Woolworths luxury supermarket.

  We stayed in the shearwater apartment. Not only is this an excellent base for getting out to see the penguins on the coast below, wildlife on the peninsula and the... read more pleasures in Simonstown, but also offers easy access to Cape Town itself (45 mins drive to the V&A waterfront). Even more, the garden offers wildlife opportunities, with constant activity of birds (and mammals) on the endemic flora and excellent views over the bay, with potential for seeing whales, dolphins etc, which we were lucky enough to see. Beyond that, the hosts are extremely helpful and genial and the apartment is spacious, comfortable and well equipped.

  Fantastic views of false bay from lounge and front bedroom, both by day and by night. Also the rooms were huge. The wifi reception was good but the cellphone signal... read more was a bit variable. The only other problem was a lack of convenient power points near to a table for charging cellphones and tablets etc.