Gansbaai, Cape Overberg

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Gansbaai, Cape Overberg

Gansbaai
Gansbaai, Cape Overberg

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The unpretentious village of Gansbaai - named after a flock of wild Egyptian geese that are alleged to have congregated at the freshwater fountain next to the harbour - has a large reputation.

Both Southern Right Whales and Great White Sharks frequent the Atlantic waters of the Danger Point Peninsula and are a major draw card for the town. Situated between the towns of Hermanus and Pearly Beach, Gansbaai lies in Walker Bay at the foot of the Dynefontein Mountains with a magnificent coastline rich in fynbos vegetation. Dyer Island, just off Gansbaai, is the breeding ground of the jackass penguin, cormorants and other sea birds and a second island in the vicinity of the village is Geyser Island, home to some 60 000 Cape fur seals. It is the passage between these islands that, for obvious reasons, attracts the Great White and has become known as ‘shark alley’.

Gansbaai, Cape Overberg
The waters around these islands have become a feeding ground for the endangered species, which has fuelled the rise of shark cage diving from Kleinbaai’s harbour. Fortunately, the area around Dyer Island has been declared a nature reserve and only boats with permits granted by the Department of Nature Conservation may enter the vicinity.

The entire Walker Bay area, between Gansbaai and Hermanus, is a whale sanctuary and the gentle giants of the southern ocean, the Southern Right Whale, can be sighted within metres of the shoreline where they come annually to mate and calve. These remarkable beasts spend summer feeding around Antarctica and then migrate thousands of miles to our waters, where sheltered bays, such as Gansbaai and nearby De Kelders, offer perfect refuge.

There are footpaths along the coastline that provide ample opportunity to view these intelligent mammals and a number of licensed whale watching boats get ‘up close and personal’ with the annual visitors to our waters. Whale watching by boat viewing is monitored; stipulated approach distances are maintained and there are limited permit holders, which all goes towards protecting the whales whilst in our safekeeping.

Great white shark
Gansbaai lies in the heart of the fynbos biome, which is home to thousands of plant species, a number of which are some of the rarest on earth. There are a number of conservancies and reserves in the area that protect these species and organised hikes in the region allow one easy access to this kingdom of plants.

Gansbaai remains a fishing village at heart, despite its growing reputation and rising popularity. Every local in the town, no matter what his profession, is also a fisherman and it is this tradition, and the fact that the town revolves around the harbour and the catch of the day, that makes it so unique and such a wonderful place to visit.

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Gansbaai Reviews

average visitor rating: 5/5"BEST shark-diving, whale-watching and fishing in all of SA at Gansbaai! If you love a good adventure then try shark cage diving in Gansbaai, because its a ONCE ..." - Simon, Jeffreys Bay

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Visitorials: We Love South Africa

Gansbaai Visitorial

I Love Gansbaai because ...

Featured in: Visitorials: We Love South Africa

We’ve asked those in the know to share their favourites things about Gansbaai. Find out where locals go for the best cup of coffee, lunch suggestions and much more. We’re letting you in on all of their secrets ... I Love Gansbaai because ...

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Featured Attractions in (or near) Gansbaai

Baardskeerdersbos Art Route

The little village has attracted a collection of artists - at least 12 of them, in fact. Since 2008 the group have opened their homes and their hearts three times a year to introduce people to the local painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers and ceramicists. Artist Niël Jonker has added bread ... more information

Grootbos Nature Reserve

Grootbos Nature Reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills that overlook the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. This multi-award winning 1750 ha reserve is home to more than 740 different species of plants is a nature lover’s paradise. The Cape Fynbos Kingdom is ... more information

Overberg Fynbos Route

The Overberg Fynbos Route, also known as the Southern Overberg Fynbos Route, is a route put together by a group of land owners in the southern Overberg, with the intention of promoting an area rich in fynbos, beauty, nature reserves and pretty towns ... more information

Platbos Indigenous Forest

Just off the coast of Gansbaai you will find Africa's southernmost forest. Platbos is an ancient, indigenous forest that lies on the slopes of the Baviaanspoort Hills on the Grootbos Road just outside Stanford, the largest remaining fragment of the orginal Swartkransberg Forests - lowland ... more information

Shark Cage Diving

Shark cage diving in South Africa has grown greatly in popularity and there are now a number of commercialized locations to view these incredible monsters of the deep. Your adrenaline is sure to pump as you come almost face to face with the sea’s most awesome predators. Shark cage diving is ... more information

The Whale Coast Route

The Whale Route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It is a popular drive that easily rivals Chapman's Peak in Cape Town as one of the most scenic in the country - views over False Bay are incredible ... more information

Walker Bay Nature Reserve

Extending along a stretch of coast between the town of De Kelders and the Hermanus Lagoon, the Walker Bay Nature Reserve lies just 3 kilometres from Gansbaai, east of Hermanus on the Danger Point Peninsula. One can get into the reserve at Stanford, via Mierkom, De Kelders (Die Plaat) and Uilkraalsmond but appeals ... more information

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Things To Do in Gansbaai

Danger Point Lighthouse

Where: Gansbaai
How much (per person): R1 to R100

It took roughly forty years after a major shipwreck on the coast at Gansbaai with a great loss of lives, for a lighthouse to finally emerge ... more information

Dine at Grootbos

Where: Gansbaai
How much (per person): On Request

Executive chef, Duane Lewis, heads the restaurant at Grootbos, situated a few kilometers from Gansbaai, up. The menu is inspired by fresh an ... more information

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Restaurants in Gansbaai

BBlonds Restaurant

Where: Gansbaai

BBlonds Restaurant is nestled within the scenic seaside town of Gansbaai in the Western Cape. Its ideal positioning allows the chef to take advantage of the fresh seafood and fish that is so readily a ... more information

Blue Goose Restaurant

Where: Gansbaai

The Blue Goose Restaurant showcases excellent South African beef and lamb, seafood fresh from the local boats, and popular South African wines that have won a number of awards around the world. It is ... more information

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Events and/or Festivals in Gansbaai

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• Shark Cage Diving

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South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting countries in the world. With eight world heritage sites, a multitude of game reserves and national parks, over 1350 ha of national botanical gardens, and exotic combinations of landscapes, people, history and culture, South Africa offers the traveller a unique and inspiring experience. Enjoy your stay in Gansbaai!
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