The Coastal Journey

Discover the earliest forms of art and technology

Gansbaai is a place where the sea comes to life. The town offers some of the world’s best white shark-cage diving, boat and shore-based whale watching, and fishing spots.

These marine attractions should not be the only things to lure you, however. Some of the best-conserved fynbos (Cape Flora) adorns the mountains in the area and a variety of walks and trails crisscross it, affording spectacular views across the bay.

Numerous caves along the cliffs of De Kelders beckon visitors to explore and discover ancient secret wonders – while the never-ending sandy beaches of Pearly Beach provide long, uplifting and soul-searching walks. Ancient milkwood forests grace the surroundings and are home to many insects, rodents and plant species waiting to be admired.

There is so much to do and see in the greater Gansbaai area that a day trip will not suffice. Choose one of the many accommodation options and spend time exploring the area to discover it hidden gems. The various restaurants provide tasty and traditional meals.

There is no better way to end off a superb day in Gansbaai than to sip a sundowner while watching an exquisite sunset.

Highlights

Klipgat Cave
Grootbos – Klipgat cave foraging
Marine Big Five
Whale watching
African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary
De Kelders drip cave
Walker Bay Nature Reserve

Cape Town

50km to next stop

Cape Town is a fusion of diversity. It is a city overflowing with attractions for visitors interested in history, art, culture and a beautiful environment.

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden | Stellenbosch

6km to next stop

The seven-hectare Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Paradyskloof, Stellenbosch, is set among lush indigenous vegetation. The project was born in 2009 when its creator, the artist Dylan Lewis, started shaping the contours of the garden.

Dine with a local | Stellenbosch

420km to next stop

The ‘Kayamandi Township Tour’ and ‘Dine With a Local’ experience offer visitors to Stellenbosch the chance to dine with locals from different backgrounds and learn about their daily lives, listen to their stories, and hear of their hopes and aspirations.

Cango Caves | Oudtshoorn

93km to next stop

The Cango Caves is one of the world’s great natural wonders, sculpted by nature through the ages to create limestone formations in a wide variety of colours. Visitors can explore the spectacular underground wonders, including the finest dripstone caverns, vast halls and towering formations.

Dine with locals | George

95km to next stop

Book a two-hour ‘Dine with a Local’ experience through the George Tourism office to share a home-cooked meal with locals and enjoy music, poetry or dancing together. Diners can experience traditional cuisine, and supporting this local development project.

Nelson Bay Cave | Plettenberg Bay

141km to next stop

Make your way to the spectacular Robberg Nature Reserve to track some fascinating archaeological discoveries at Nelson Bay Cave. The site preserves archaeological materials from the Middle and Later Stone Age and thus dates from more than 40 000 years ago up to recent San occupation.

Cape St Blaize Cave | Mossel Bay

9km to next stop

The cave at Cape St Blaize, below Mossel Bay’s lighthouse, is the site of some of South Africa’s first Middle Stone Age archaeological excavations. More recently, parts of the cave were explored by scientists as part of the Mossel Bay Archaeology Project, which was also conducting excavations at Pinnacle Point Site Complex.

Pinnacle Point | Mossel Bay

110km to next stop

At the archaeological site of Pinnacle Point, an international team of researchers has found some of the earliest evidence for modern human behaviour.

Blombos Cave | Still Bay

29km to next stop

Blombos Cave is a world-famous archeological site, overlooking the sea and located in a private nature reserve not open to the public. Archaeologists have uncovered some of the first evidence of symbolism, cognitive thinking and technological advancement, traits used to define modern human behaviour.

Tidal Fish Traps | Still Bay

218km to next stop

At Still Bay at least 25 stonewalled fish traps represent the technological and economic evolution of early fishing practices in the area. These traps were built at the correct height to trap fish during a falling tide.

Waenhuiskrans Cave | Arniston

110km to next stop

Continue your exploration at the picturesque seaside town of Waenhuiskrans, also known as Arniston, about 25km from Bredasdorp. Here, discover – though only at low tide! – the massive limestone Waenhuiskrans Cave, falling within the Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve.

Klipgat Cave | De Kelders

30km to next stop

Klipgat Cave is located close to the seaside village of De Kelders and it is accessed via the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, managed by Cape Nature. Here visitors will be welcomed by dramatic ocean views.

Phillipskop Mountain Reserve | Stanford

160km to next stop

The Phillipskop Mountain Reserve lies 10km east of Stanford. This is one of the few sites with rock art in the Cape Overberg region and the only known site in the Cape Whale Coast.

Cradle of Human Culture

The Coastal Journey

The Coastal Journey

Discover the earliest forms of art and technology