Vleesbaai, Garden Route

The pretty little seaside village of Vleesbaai (or Vlees Bay) lies virtually hidden between the bays of Stilbaai and Mossel Bay, just north of where the Gouritz River (of bungee jump fame from the Gourtitz River bridge, 65 metres up) joins the sea at the western end of the Garden Route.

Vleesbaai is an idyllic, shell sampling, sun-drenched beach-filled holiday space in which endless beaches, safe swimming, leisurely walks, dolphin and whale spotting and the nearby Fransmans Hoek Nature Reserve all vie for attention. The good news is that none or all of them can be combined to fill days as and when one chooses, as time literally slows when on this part of the beautiful coast. Vleesbaai is touted by surfers as one of the best kept secrets on the coast and, whilst gentle swells provide great body boarding times, waves can reach five feet.

Just around the corner from Vlees Bay is little Vis Bay. It is from here that a rock, known as Fransmanshoek (French man's corner, named after the French ship 'La Fortune' that was stranded here in 1763) juts out into the sea. Close by to the village of Vleesbaai is further entertainment in the form of beautiful sand dunes used particularly for a 4x4 dune route challenge virtually on the water's edge.

This part of the world offers endless other attractions in which one can choose to partake or not, depending on how serious getting away from it all is to you. Stilbaai, Reins Nature and Game Reserve and Mossel Bay are all within easy travelling distance, and one can venture out for virtually any form of activity, from fishing to bungi jumping - it's up to you!