False Bay, located along the southern coast of South Africa near Cape Town, has a curious name. The bay earned its name because of a geographical misconception made by early explorers. When Dutch explorer and navigator, Bartholomeu Dias, sailed around the southern tip of Africa in 1488, he mistakenly believed the bay was a passage into the Indian Ocean. He called it "False Bay" to distinguish it from the true bay that he thought lay beyond it.

The name stuck, despite the fact that False Bay is not a deceptive or misleading bay in the way the name might suggest. It’s a large, sheltered inlet, famous for its stunning views, rich marine life, and its proximity to the vibrant city of Cape Town. Today, False Bay is known for its beautiful beaches, the striking Table Mountain in the background, and its role in maritime history, but its name remains a reminder of early navigational errors.