Coastal holidays are what dreams are made of. Especially for those who live inland, coastal holidays often bring a sense of calm and serenity to the spirit. Therefore, we thought we would take you on a little journey to four picturesque towns that we love. These towns, we feel, offer the whole family so many things to enjoy and just get away from it all. We explore affordable options to help you with the planning of your coastal holidays. So relax, sit back and enjoy the read.
Coastal Holidays: Overberg
For our first stop, we head north on the N2 from Cape Town towards Somerset West. A short ride over Sir Lowry’s Pass brings you to the Overberg region. The home to a wealth of luscious vegetation and scenic little towns, all filled with history. Some people would describe the Overberg as an adventurers paradise. This is merely for the wide open spaces and wealth of adventure-loving activities. With this in mind, let’s have a look at two of the most beautiful coastal towns in the Overberg, Arniston & Struisbaai.
Arniston, Cape Agulus
Also, know as Waenhuiskrans, this little fisherman’s village on the southernmost tip of Africa tells adventurous tales of shipwrecks and wounded soldiers en route to England. The town itself is named after the ship Arniston that sank here in 1815, of which only 6 survived of its 378 passengers lived to tell the story. If you are one to enjoy capturing beautiful scenery, then Arniston is definitely the place to go for you. Go ahead and snap away over rugged cliffs. Here you can capture the bluest waters from the Waenhuiskrans Cave – truly something to behold. We found that Mother Nature didn’t hold back when she shaped the rocky coastline that so eloquently graces Arniston’s shores.
Now picture yourself walking on long stretched beaches just to come across prehistoric fish traps left by the Khoisan (strandloper) people. A wealth of history makes Arniston as intriguing as it is beautiful. With two nature reserves surrounding the area, visitors are treated to so many natural wonders. Such as migrational birds that are visiting the massive wetland of De Hoop Nature Reserve. Certainly, a bird lovers paradise.
If birds are not your thing, how about taking the kids to the Shipwreck Museum? Here they will learn all about Arniston’s rocky past and spooky stories that have stood through the test of time. Arniston is definitely a place to let your hair down and just relax. We recommend it for those who truly wish to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life. But don’t worry, if you need a night out, the Caledon Casino is not too far away.
Struisbaai
Known for having the longest stretch of beach in the southern hemisphere (14 Kilometers long), Struisbaai is definitely one of the most beautiful fisherman’s villages in the world. What makes Struibaai special is the fact that the town is still relatively untouched by over-development. When you spend time here you feel as if you have gone back in time, to a more peaceful era. But don’t get us wrong, this is not a ghost town. Actually, far from it. Struisbaai is known for its wealth of leisure activities. The town is even seen as the hub for fun outdoor activities. Which makes this the ideal destination for family coastal holidays. Anything from fishing, diving, quad biking, hiking and even paintball can be enjoyed in Struisbaai.
Do you want to live like the locals do? Now just imagine waking up to the sound of the ocean crashing right on your doorstep… Or the ocean breeze seeping through as you open your cottage door. Struisbaai makes this possible. We recommend Langezandt Fisherman’s Village for an authentic Struisbaai experience and then some. The village resort is situated on the beach. Relax in your jacuzzi with a glass of wine and watch the sky turn beautiful shades of pinks and peaches as the sun sets. The cottages house up to 6 guests at a time, making it the ideal spot for a family vacation.
For the history buffs, explore the area and you will find little bits of history all over the place. Be it in the form of the buildings that form part of its picturesque beauty, or shipwrecks that peaks its head from the ocean floor. Every part of this fisherman’s village tells a unique and wonderful story. No wonder all who go here find themselves drawn back to the area year after year.
Coastal Holidays: Garden Route
Known as the jewel of the Western Cape, the Garden Route offers holidaymakers an immense amount of things to do and experience. Not only is it one of the most beautiful regions in the world, it also offers easy access to everything you may need. Many people from all over the country flock to the Garden Route over high peak periods. Here we look at two of the most beautiful less thought of towns in the area. Towns we feel are made for coastal holidays.
Sedgefield
With a blend of lush greenery, long stretches of beach and a multitude of activities, Sedgefield is definitely a gem worth visiting. With Sedgefield situated between Knysna and George, it offers the perfect relaxed hub when visiting the Garden Route. Considerably quieter then its two adjacent towns, you get to experience all the amenities without the hassle of long queues and waiting times. Furthermore, Sedgefield is located in the heart of South Africa’s Lake District – making it a nature lovers dream destination.
Sedgefield is known for its watersports and paragliding. Therefore, the adventure-driven won’t be left wanting. You and your family can explore magnificent beaches, hiking trails and so much more. Its sheer beauty coupled with peace and quiet makes this a dream destination everyone should visit. We recommend Shearwater On Sea for its comfort and onsite facilities the whole family will enjoy.
Sedgefield is one of those towns that has the capacity to become an annual family holiday destination. Allot of people buy holiday homes here because of its central location within the Garden Route. You can easily access all the major attractions of the region through some of the most picturesque drives in the country.
Wilderness
Nestled at the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains is the scenic mystifying resort town of Wilderness. Words cannot describe its beauty. Rich in history dating back to the 1800’s, Wilderness is known for its natural bounty of lakes and rivers. Making this the ideal destination for peace and tranquility. Furthermore, Wilderness is known for its stunning long stretched beaches, beautiful nature reserves and countless watersport activities that attract people from all over the world. Speaking of activities, the vacation-minded can rejoice in hiking, mountain biking, bird- and whale-watching, hang- and paragliding, horseriding, scenic drives, day tours, angling, boating and so much more.
Be sure to bring along your camera as you will want to take pictures of everything you see. Trust us, your social media is going to boom with the moments you capture. Making your friends will be green with envy. This is definitely a road-trip worth taking, no matter which part of South Africa you are from. And for the luxury traveler who wants a unique experience, why not try The Rovos Rail Garden Route tour through Wilderness? We definitely think that this is something you have to experience at least once in your life.
Have a look at our special offer at Wilderness Dunes – exclusivity has never been this affordable. Set amongst the natural wonders of the area and a variety of onsite facilities, you definitely want to experience Wilderness from this unique spot.
Have you been to one of these towns? Please share your experience by commenting below. We’d love to hear from you. Be sure to like us on Facebook and to follow us on Instagram @resortsetc for special offers and so much more.