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For many years I never knew about the existence of the above two towns. That is until the family decided to buy their first holiday home in Struisbaai. Driving along the scenic road you reach your destination just as you would want to ask “are we there yet”, and then… what a surprise: Struisbaai / L’Agulhas.
Taking the turnoff from the N2 at Caledon you travel along the R316 to Bredasdorp and then take the R319 to Struisbaai. Moments later you are in the Overberg district which is a wonderful surprise during winter with the rich tapestry of the yellow Canola fields in full flower.
When you take the road early in the morning, you will drive into a magical sunrise along the way.
Suggested Read, featuring flowers in the Overberg Region: Follow the Flowers – Part 2
I am not going to bore you with the historical details and logistics (that you can google easily), but I do want to tell you about the experience. Struisbaai has one of the most picturesque harbors in the world. Maybe one of the most photographed as well, or I might be biased, but it truly is beautiful and anyone that’s been to Struisbaai harbor will agree.
As you drive into Struisbaai, to your right, is a small horse riding spot. It’s not the usual fancy stables and so on. But, it’s an amazing activity to book. A gently and easy family horse riding experience that takes you across the road, through a few bushes, and then you have the open beach in front of you. Glorious!
The now very famous stingrays will greet you at the harbour. Parrie the stingray (a previous visitor from Cape Town Aquarium) welcomes interaction with the people of Struisbaai and holiday makers. You can even try and feed him pilchards. To my knowledge he is the oldest resident stingray.
A stay in Struisbaai is not complete unless you traveled to the neighboring L’Agulhas. With restaurants and coffee shop and gift shops of note, you will love spending time in L’Agulhas. Undoubtedly the beautiful road leading to L’Agulhas (or Agulhas as locals refer to it), is spectacular to say the least.
L’Agulhas is the place where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean. Remember to take a photo standing right on the spot and then you can also claim to have been on the Southernmost tip of Africa. You can visit the shipwreck and take stunning sunset photos with the wreck in frame. Go horse riding on the beach. Visit the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum. Take time to have a picnic on the beach or just take a walk along the coastline. There is also a “Spookdraai” hiking trail for the adventurous.
One of the things Struisbaai has high on their “bragging-rights-list” is the longest white sandy beach, but I must say I love the more rugged rocks of the coastline towards L’Agulhas. Therefore you have the best or both worlds.
With places like Hermanus and Arniston nearby it might be tempting to go explore other towns as well but give yourself time to unwind and explore all the little treasures that Struisbaai and L’Agulhas have to share. In addition, Struisbaai is famous for its yellowtail fish and you can arrange for a charter fishing trip or bring your own fishing gear and try fishing with your children from the Struisbaai harbor wall. On any day you will find families and even toddlers enjoying this activity if not enjoying the warm waters of the swimming bay at the harbor. Children can try their hand at catching puffer fish, strepies, kolsterte, tjor-tjor, or maasbankers.
December is the time when Struisbaai / L’Agulhas is bustling with holidaymakers. With everyone in good spirit and friendly, and the atmosphere is just wonderful. Especially when attending a Christmas day church service right on the beach or experiencing Christmas carolers going from home to home on Christmas eve to spread the cheer.
A visit to Struisbaai / Agulhas is something special and a place to make memories. Wonderful memories. Happy memories.
It is nice to have your own car here, as there is no public transport. Then you are also free to explore nearby places and drive out into the countryside. Spend lazy days on the beach. Go for long walks: You can walk from Struisbaai to L’Agulhas or take a long walk along one of the Cape’s longest white sand beaches.
The nearest International Airport is Cape Town International (CPT).
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