ELANDS BAY Attractions

Western Cape Destinations

Elands Bay, Cape West Coast

The quaint fishing village of Eland’s Bay (Elandsbaai) might be only two hours from the city of Cape Town, but it is about as far off the beaten track as you can get, with so little travelling time.

Eland’s Bay is one of those gems that have managed to elude the rush of development and city dwellers to stake their claim on a piece of the coast - this is sand and sea with little else to lure the average holiday maker. The modest seaside town is worth the rather arduous journey (roads tend to be quite dilapidated as you head closer to Eland’s Bay with a dirt road detour to contend with), particularly as Verlorenvlei (lost natural wetland) - one of the biggest estuaries on the Cape West Coast with thousands of birds including flamingos and pelicans - lies on the approach to Eland’s Bay. Verlorenvlei is the site of no fewer than 232 types of birds.

Elandsbaai on the Cape West Coast

Eland’s Bay really is a wonderful spot for dolphin and whale watching, and freshwater and salt fishing is touted as one of the best pastimes, although townsfolk will not stop short of telling you about how the fish have left this part of the coast - putting paid to the locals’ livelihood. But it is close to heaven to stroll on a beach where there is little commercialisation and where the term ‘relaxation’ isn’t a euphemism for flashy entertainment.

It’s also a surfer’s paradise - known as e-bay to the surf fraternity, the sought after left-breaking waves mean it’s much like Jeffreys Bay only without the crowds - and in season one can dive for crayfish, provided you have a licence. The Baboon Point cliffs are a firm attraction, including the Bobbejaanberg Cave decorated with rock art and a shell midden (a deposit of shell). There is much debate about whether or not Baboon Point will be named a heritage site.

Featured Attractions in (or near) Elands Bay

Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area

Groot Winterhoek Wilderness area, with its extraordinary rock formations and popular hiking routes, lies about 120 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape. The Reserve is situated in the Groot Winterhoek mountain range, north of Tulbagh and east of Porterville. The greater Groot Winterhoek ... more information

Swartland Wine Route

Meaning ‘black country’ and named after the indigenous Renosterbos, which turns a dark colour at a certain time of the year, the wine route extends from Darling on the west coast down to the Oliphants Mountain at Porterville in the east and includes Malmesbury, Riebeek Valley and Piketberg in the north ... more information

view all attractions in Cape West Coast

On Holiday in Elands Bay

• Elands Bay - A Visitors Perspective
• Swartland Accommodation
• Cape West Coast Accommodation
• Western Cape Accommodation
• The Swartland - A Visitors Perspective

Visiting Elands Bay?
Also see Things To Do in Cape West Coast or check out Things To Do in Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.