• Swimming & deep sea angling
• Spookdraai hiking trail
• Two oceans hiking trail
• Places to visit and things to see
• The Flora (Fynbos)
• Whale watching
• Where two oceans meet
• Shipwrecks
• Southern most tip
• Calendar of  events
• Golf and other sport
• Eating out and shopping

   USE   OUR   HOUSE   AS   YOUR   BASE

HOW TO GET TO OUR HOUSE:

As you enter Struisbaai with the main road, coming from Bredasdorp, you proceed through the town. Upon leaving Struisbaai you continue along the main coastal road in the direction of L’Agulhas. Turn right into Marlyn ave and left into Koningklip ave. Our house is number 14.

Swimming and Deep Sea Angling See website for photos

For lovers of the sea there are safe swimming beaches and opportunities for a wide range of water sports, surfing, windsurfing, angling, deep sea diving and snorkeling. Deep sea angling expeditions can be taken from Struisbaai.

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Spookdraai Hiking Trail

• The "Spookdraai" (literally Ghost's Corner) hiking trail at L'Agulhas, which can be completed in less than two hours, has been created to add an extra dimension to the value of the visitor's stay in this region. It takes the hiker on a short journey during which he/she will become acquainted with the fynbos, the bird life and historical points of interest. Upon entering this website you would have notice some pictures of fynbos on the top of the main page.

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Two Oceans Hiking Trail

The trail starts at the L'Agulhas Private Nature Reserve and leads through natural fynbos vegetation. Extremely rare and endangered fynbos species can be seen.

The reserve also teems with bird-life. Magnificent views of the two oceans as well as the Karsriviervlei and Soetendalsvlei further enhance the hiking experience.

And a must is a walk along the 21 km unspoiled coastline of Struisbaai. Beach benches near the harbour provide one with the opportunity to rest and watch the peaceful activities in the Struisbaai harbour.

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Places to Visit & Things to See       See website for route map

De Hoop Nature and Marine reserve, De Mond Nature Reserve and Heuningberg Nature Reserve are beautiful places to spend a day with the family.

Bird watching is also an attraction, with rare species including the endangered Blue Crane, Cape Vulture, Flamingo and African Black Oystercatcher.

A must is the maritime museum at Bredasdorp and the Light House museum at L’Agulhas

The world famous low tide caves at Waenhuiskrans is also an experience you will never forget!

And yes, the river pond at Malgas is the only hand pulled pond in South Africa. It is nested in beautiful surroundings

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The Flora (Fynbos)  SEE WEBSITE  

Fynbos is the natural vegetation of a relatively narrow strip along the South-western Cape coastal area. This small region is the home of more than 8 500 fynbos varieties. More than 6 000 of these are found nowhere else in the world. A large number are very rare and are in danger of becoming extinct. This region, although the smallest in area, is the richest of the six floristic kingdoms. As 8 500 plant species grow here, it is an important area for ecological conservation on an international level.

Well-known fynbos species are the Proteas and the Ericas.
Best time of the year to view this fynbos is from Autumn to Spring - when most speci

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Whale Watching

Southern Right Whales visit the Overberg coast from July to December to calve. The best vantage point is at Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Coastal resorts also offer excellent whale spotting opportunities.

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Where Two Oceans Meet

As determined by the International Hydrographic Organisation, the two mighty oceans, Indian and Atlantic, meet at the most southern tip of the continent of Africa - Cape Agulhas.

However, the meeting point of the two ocean currents, the warm Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela Current, is a totally different issue, and must not be confused with the meeting of the Oceans.

The point where these currents meet, fluctuates considerably, and is constantly on the move along the southern and southwestern Cape coast, most often occuring somewhere between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point.

Contrary to what one may think, this meeting produces no fireworks, clashing of cymbals or dramatic crashing of waves!

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Shipwrecks

The stretch of coast around the southernmost tip of Africa is known as the "Graveyard of Ships" for various reasons: gale-force winds, ever-changing weather conditions, high swells and the treacherous rocky coast line, have caused numerous wrecks.

More than 125 of the approximately 2 130 ships that have been wrecked along the South African coast since 1552 are found along the Overberg coast, which covers a distance of approximately 100km.

Certain items from these wrecked ships such as figureheads, cannons, anchors, porcelain and rare coins can be viewed at the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp. The museum is the only one of its kind in the country.

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Southernmost Tip

Make your mark by taking a picture at Cape Agulhas showing that you, of all the teeming millions in Africa, were the southernmost person for that instant in history!

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Calendar of Events

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GOLF AND OTHER SPORT

Bredasdorp has a beautiful golf course and the courses at Hermanus, Riversdal, Caledon and Swellendam is not that far away either.

A number of other sports are also hosted in the Overberg area. Click on the highlighted heading for more information

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EATING OUT and shopping

Well, I am not going to provide you with a list of businesses and restaurants, but there is one I must mention. If you leave the Overberg area without buying freshly prepared fish take-aways at the most southern fish shop in Africa (L’Agulhas), then you are a fool! Or even better! Drive past the Light house and stop at a suitable spot to watch the sunset, pour a glass of white wine and enjoy your fish.

Struisbaai has a well stocked supermarket (Friendly Grocer). Fuel is available 24 hours a day.

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