Shelley Point, Cape West Coast

On the West Coast of the Western Cape lies Shelley Point, about 150 kilometres north of Cape Town, perfectly positioned between Saldanha and Port Owen. It is a beautiful part of the world, this previously undiscovered coastline, that boasts an abundance of crayfish, abalone, mussels, dolphins, cormorants, the rare oystercatcher and little to break the miles of white, sandy beaches other than a few fishing villages.

Shelley Point is a little peninsula that almost gives it the illusion of being an island surrounded by sea. It lies in the calm waters of Shelley Bay that provide superb sailing opportunities, shallow, safe water for children, fishing opportunities and world-class surfing at spots known as ‘heaven’ and ‘hell’. Interestingly, Shelley Point is regarded as the site where Vasco Da Gama first set foot on the South African coast, and a museum has been erected on Shelley Point in celebration of his discoveries.

It’s also the site of the Shelley Point golf estate offering a 9-hole golf course and some wonderful leisure facilities, such as a spa in their Wellness Centre. But if you’re not a golf enthusiast then the sheer pleasure of unspoilt coastline, scenic walks, sand dunes, collecting mussels and general winding down on a gorgeous coastline should win hands down.

Better still, Shelley Point is almost devoid of shops and facilities – there is the odd ATM and shop providing necessities like firewood and airtime, but you’ll have to head to Vredenburg for a supermarket. The visit will be anything but a waste of time as, if you leave it for a Friday afternoon, fishermen sell fresh snoek from their bakkies on Saldanha Road, opposite the OK Bazaars.