Hawston, Cape Overberg

Just past Hermanus, between Fisherhaven and Onrus, lies the village of Hawston, which is notably famous for its beautiful beach, more than the attraction Hawston might hold for visitors.

The beach, tucked away in the little town, is truly beautiful. Sweeping views of mountains along the Cape coastline vie with an incredible dune system and perfect swimming conditions. So much so that Hawston beach is not only regarded as the safest swimming water in the sea along the Western Cape coastline, but is also a blue flag beach.

Perhaps because of its proximity to Hermanus, the beach is not as popular as other swimming beaches in Cape Town, but it has an unaffected and almost rural appeal for those who visit. There are picnic and braai areas at the back of the beach, and an olympic-size swimming pool. The white stretch of sandy beach and the possibility of sighting whales during the season make this a beach worth visiting.

Hawston's beach is also a great place to walk, but be aware that the dune system is sensitive and rather keep to the boardwalks built to protect the vegetation. The village of Hawston was called such after Charles Haw, who holidayed frequently here during the 1850s.

If you can, make time to visit the Bot River Lagoon nearby - it lies between Fisherhaven and Kleinmond. Here in the marshlands next to the Rooisands Nature Reserve lives a herd of wild horses that are said to be the only horses in the world that live off semi-salt water and plants. The horses are believed to be descendents of cavalry hoses abandoned here after the Anglo Boer War, over 100 years ago.