Walk the Bay
A guided walking tour along the Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary coastline.
WALK THE BAY offers the unique opportunity to explore the coastline from Gansbaai Harbour to the Hermanus New Harbour on foot over 3 days. The route is divided into 3 legs that covers different sections of the coast – each with it’s own character and attractions. Our qualified and knowledgeable guides will open up the wonders of the route with interesting and relevant information. From June to January you will be enthralled with some of the best land based sightings of Southern Right Whales that you will find anywhere on earth.
For the remainder of the year you will have the opportunity to explore a number of caves on the Eastern coast of Walker Bay, while savouring the scenery and champagne air. Excellent accommodation, food, scenery and informative guides makes this a tour to remember.
DAY 1 – COASTAL CAVES:
We depart from Gansbaai Harbour at 3pm for a three hour hike along the
rugged coastline with it’s numerous coves, caves and cliffs towards
"Klipgat" Caves in a Northerly direction. Along the way we will enjoy a
tour of the famous "Drup" Caves in the Kelders which is also the source
of the town’s drinking water. In summer you can go swimming in the natural
pools filled with clean mineral water inside the cave.
You will also explore "Duiwels" Gat on the way to the "Klipgat" Caves,
where the Khoi San used to stay. Numerous coves are the centre of tales
regarding the HMS Birkenhead that sunk of the coast in 1852 From June to
January this leg of the walk offers great opportunities for spotting Southern
Right whales from the cliffs.
On clear evenings you can watch the sun set over Walker Bay while enjoying a sun downer.
For supper a traditional "snoek" braai (fish BBQ) with sweet potatoes and fresh home baked
bread and salads will be served.
Accommodation will be at Anlo Guesthouse (www.anlo.co.za), offering great hospitality with a personal touch. Facilities include a swimming pool and Jacuzzi for soothing your muscles after the first leg of the walk.
DAY 2 – THE PLAAT:
A scrumptious breakfast starts your day before we set of for the day’s walk.
Starting from “Klipgat” Caves we head west towards the Kleinriver mouth at the end
of a 16km stretch of sandy beach called the Plaat. ( long stretch of pristine coastline)
Initially we will see many sandstone rock formations. Later on the landscape will change
to a long sandy stretch of coastline. We will pass numerous popular fishing holes where
fisherman battle it out with "Galjoen" and "Steenbras" (fish species). Sightings of Black
Oystercatchers, an endangered coastal bird is common. For a Horse de Oeuvre we will dig for
white mussels and collect black mussels from the mussel beds along the beach. At “Sopies Klip”
we will stop for lunch. This isolated landmark is the breathtaking venue for lunch consisting of
deboned leg of lamb and roast chicken on the spit.
After this mouth watering feast we will complete the last hour’s walk to the Kleinriver mouth.
A transfer to our Guesthouse in Hermanus Heights will give you a chance to rest your legs for the remainder of the afternoon. Your accommodation will again offer a pool and Jacuzzi to revitalise your senses. For supper you can construct your own pizza from our selection of toppings and bake it in a wood fired pizza oven.
DAY 3 – HERMANUS CLIFF PATH:
After yet another appetizing breakfast we shall depart on our last leg of the walking tour. Starting at Grotto Beach we enter an ancient Milk wood Forest called "Piet se Bos". Following paths that criss-cross underneath the forested canopy we eventually link up to the Hermanus Cliff Path. This well kept and managed walking trail extends for roughly 8km to the New Harbour in Hermanus.
Along the way you will again be spoiled with extraordinary sightings of whales during the whale season. Also be on the lookout for Cape Fur Seals and numerous coastal birds. The path is set in rare coastal "Fynbos" that will take your breath away with it’s unique beauty.
Around lunchtime we will arrive at the New Harbour where our tour ends. A popular restaurant, Quayside Cabin is located at the water’s edge and you can treat yourself to an atmospheric lunch as reward for completing the walk!
WALK THE BAY is ideal for walkers, nature lovers and anyone that wants to escape the hasty lifestyle of today.
