Witsand, Cape Overberg
The peaceful, coastal town of Witsand (white sands) lies on St Sebastian’s Bay just off the N2 on the Cape South Coast, three hours from Cape Town and not to be confused with the Witsand Nature Reserve, which lies just west of the Langberg Mountains in the Northern Cape. St Sebastian Bay and Witsand are virtually synonymous with the Southern Right Whale. This bay is the most important nursery for the large mammal on the African Coast and one of the greatest concentrations of Southern Right Whales comes come here to calve every year. An aerial survey taken in late 1999 revealed a total of 107 calves in St Sebastian Bay and off De Hoop - 61% of all the calves seen between Nature’s Valley and Muizenberg. On a good day, between June and late November, whale watchers can count up to 50 of these gentle giants.
Southern Right Whales migrate between Antarctic summer feeding grounds and mating and calving grounds off the coasts of Africa, Australia and South America and are slowly making a recovery from commercial whaling. The least understood of the world’s whales, the Southern Right Whale, weighs up to 58 tons and has the most highly-evolved mammalian brains on earth. They have inhabited the southern oceans for about 60 million years.
The sand is this white because the town lies above a body of underground water responsible for leaching the red iron oxide coating from the sand on Witsands beach. Another phenomenon is the famous ‘Brulsand’ or Roaring Sands. Under the right conditions Witsand’s dunes utter eerie rumbles when disturbed.
All in all, Witsands makes a wonderful stop on the Garden Route. One is within easy reach of Malgas’s Pont, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Swellendam, Heidelberg, the Bontebok Park, Robertson Wine Route and Montagu.
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Witsand
Bontebok National Park
Sheltered by the Langeberg Mountains and bordered to the south by the Breede River, the Bontebok National Park provides a refuge for not only bontebok, but also for other species such as the Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. The park is situated within the Cape Floral ... more information
Cape Whale Coast
The coming of the whales to the Cape Overberg coastline, also known as the Cape Whale Coast, every year between June and November, not only creates a stir, but brings to our shores a large, intelligent and remarkable giant of the sea and the only mammal to have adapted to life in the open oceans ... more information
De Hoop Nature Reserve
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately 34 000 ha in size and one of the largest natural areas managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It is a favourite destination for hikers, cyclists, bird watchers and during the winter and early summer months, whale watchers. The entire length of the De Hoop coast is ... more information
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Things To Do in Witsand
Dine at the Swirling Estuary Restaurant
Where: Witsand
How much (per person): On Request
The thatched restaurant, with its homely atmosphere invites you to come and enjoy its excellent dining facilities with the pleasure of a wel ... more information
Sea Cruises & Fishing Trips
Where: Witsand
How much (per person): On Request
A visit to The Breede River Lodge in Witsand wouldn’t be complete without guests taking advantage of the wonderful fishing and boating facil ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Witsand
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On Holiday in Witsand
• Witsand Accommodation
• Witsand Guest Houses
• Garden Route Accommodation
• Garden Route Hotels
• Cape Overberg Accommodation
• Western Cape Accommodation
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