Attractions & Activities in Kleinbaai, Gansbaai

Things to see and do in and around Gansbaai

Gansbaai, a popular coastal town famous for whale watching, shark cage diving, wine, beer & cheese tasting as well as golfing, fynbos & horse trails

When planning your days outing speak to our friendly and knowledgeable staff to assist with your arrangements. Our Aire del Mar shuttle bus is available for tours and transfers. Book at our office.

Activities

For the adrenalin seekers, the thrilling and exciting adventure of shark cage diving amongst the great whites in the world-famous Shark Alley will leave you with unforgettable memories.

For the wildlife enthusiasts, there are the popular whale, shark, marine mammals and birdlife watching tours. These tours offer the opportunity to enter the home of the Marine Big 5 as well as endless wildlife photo moments. Various tours are offered by the specialist operators.

For more relaxing activities, there are the breath taking indigenous Fynbos and Hiking Trails, or the unique horse-riding trails on the beach. Enjoy a round of golf at the local 9-hole Gansbaai course or at the nearby 18-hole Hermanus golf course.

Shark cage diving and surface viewing

Come face to face with one of the most beautiful and misunderstood creatures of the world, the Great White Shark. You can opt for surface viewing from the boat or the brave can encounter the sharks in a wetsuit in a protective cage. No need for scuba experience. Shark Cage Diving and Cage Diving Operators depart from Kleinbaai harbour, only 7 minutes-walk from the guesthouse.

For more information please visit the following website:
Marine Dynamics Shark Tours - www.sharkwatchsa.com
Great White Shark Tours - www.sharkcagediving.net
White Shark Projects - www.whitesharkprojects.co.za

Whale watching

It is peak whale watching season from July until November. The area offers excellent opportunities to do land-based whale watching from your room or from the shore. Join one of the local whale watching operators for a wonderful eco-experience.

For more information please visit the following website:
Dyer Island Cruises - www.whalewatchsa.com
Ivanhoe Sea Safaris - www.whaleviewing.co.za

Hiking, Cycling, Jogging, Walking and Running

Take an easy hike along an unspoilt sandy beach in the Walkerbay Nature Reserve or hike from the guest house via Uilenkraalsmond to Pearly Beach (about 15 km or as far as you want to go). Another option is to hike from the guest house to Danger Point lighthouse. The well known Duiwelsgat Hiking Trail offers a 7km (one way) hike along the cliffs of De Kelders. Especially during whale watching season, it offers lots of surprises, when you may see Souhern Right mothers and calves all along the coast.

Walking, Birding, Fynbos, Hiking and Horse Trails

The Klipgat or Duiwelsgat trail between Gansbaai harbour and Walker Bay is a popular, gentle walk yielding spectacular views of the sea and coastal fynbos, interspersed by thickets of Milkwood trees. A coastal trail also wind all along the shoreline from Pearly Beach to Uilenkraalsmond, Franskraal, Kleinbaai and around Danger Point to Walker Bay and Die Plaat. Apart from the fynbos, all the trails offer breathtaking sea and mountain views and a magnitude of bird, animal and marine species. Fynbos contributes more than 80% of the flora, while the region also includes renosterveld, karroid shrubland, thicket and forests.

The popular two-day Green Flag accredited Hiking Trail covers a vast area from De Dam along the Quoin Point Lighthouse and Buffelsjag to Pearly Beach, as well as from Kleinbaai via the Danger Point Lighthouse to De Kelders. Farms and reserves in the area, including Grootbos Nature Reserve, also offer riveting guided and unguided fynbos tours where indigenous birds such as the beautiful Orange-breasted Sunbird and the Cape Sugarbird feast on the sweet stuff buried in the beautiful flower petals.

A canoe trip for bird lovers leaves from Stanford, just 20 minutes’ drive away – on the Klein River.

Hiking and horse back trails as well as horse riding are offered.

Golf

Gansbaai Golf Club (the most Southern in Africa) offers golfers a beautiful 9-hole golf course, surrounded by indigenous fynbos and views of the ocean. The course is home to an abundance of bird and animal life, including kiewiets, anguilla tortoises and the Cape grysbokkie, who will watch quietly while you enjoy your round. The clubhouse is also home to a squash court and the Kleinbaai Function Hall.

The Arabella Country Estate (1 hour drive) offers a world class 18- hole course.

The Hermanus 18-hole course is a mere 45 minutes away. 

Attractions

There is much to see and a multitude of places to visit in and around Gansbaai.

Eating and Dining in Gansbaai

When it comes to eating and dining, Gansbaai and surrounds offers a wide variety and great selection of food – Below are some recommended restaurants: