The Rock @ 2 Oceans
Fish Hoek Accommodation - Fish Hoek & Surrounding Areas

The History of Fish Hoek

The Cape Peninsula was once two islands separated by the sea passage of the Fish Hoek (Silvermine) Valley. During the Ice Age the waters receded and were, over the millennia, replaced by shifting sand dunes blown in by the south-easterly winds.

Skildersgat Ridge was the dwelling place of prehistoric people, dating back at least 30,000 years. Here you can find Peers Cave in which the 12,000 year-old remains of Fish Hoek Man were discovered by amateur palaeontologists (Victor and Bertie Peers, in 1926).

In 1818 land was granted to Andreas Bruin. It was sold several times before being bought by Hester Sophia de Kock in 1883. Hester married Jacob Isaac de Villier in 1901, and after their deaths the land was sold off in plots, the first sale taking place in 1918. This marked the beginning of the town of Fish Hoek. Hester and Issac de Villiers, are buried in the small graveyard next to the NG Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) in Kommetjie.

The initial grant of 1818 stated that there should be no public winehouse. The residents of Fish Hoek were determined to keep bottle stores out of the town. In 1956, after having opposed many license applications they formed an association called The Defenders of Fish Hoek. They succeeded in getting the Liquor Act amended so that no further applications would be allowed. Under our new Constitution the Act fell away and after consultation with the local Magistrate residents voted for restaurant and bar licenses only.