Arniston, Cape Agulhas
Lying on the shores of Marcus Bay, just north-east of Cape Agulhas, is the tranquil little fishing village of Arniston, also known as Waenhuiskrans - ‘wagon shelter cliff' - after a large low-tide sea cave, eroded in such a way as to resemble the structures used by settlers to house their oxen and wagons.
The name ‘Arniston' comes from one of the numerous ship wrecks on the area's jagged coastline. The Arniston sank here in 1815 after the ship, already laden with wounded soldiers on the way from Ceylon to England via Cape Town, decided to cut away its three anchors and run ashore due to heavy winds having destroyed its sails. It broke up on the sharp rocks of the Arniston Reef and only 6 of the original 378 passengers lived to tell of the disaster - one of the worst in South Africa's history.
But the village of Arniston has dispelled its origin of doom, and delights visitors today with its craggy cliffs and the quaint, whitewashed, thatched fishermen's cottages of Kassiebaai, more than two centuries old and a national monument in its entirety.
Staying at accommodation in Arniston means getting to experience the magic of Cape Agulhas Coast up close and personally. This unpretentious, picturesque seaside village is not far from Bedasdorp and only 2.5 hours' drive from Cape Town.
Artists and photographers in particular are attracted to Arniston because of its picturesque prettiness, and whilst the cliffs may be dangerous, the rolling sand dunes, golden beaches and intense blue of the sea make Arniston one of the best-kept secrets along the Overberg coast. The coastline is an invitation to long walks and has many examples of spectacular sea erosion with numerous displays of caverns and arches. The coastline is peppered with examples of prehistoric fish traps of the Khoisan strandlopers (beach walkers) who submerged these stone-built enclosures at high tide in a bid to catch fish. Piles of fish bones and shells are all that remain of this vanished people.
De Mond Nature Reserve lies at the mouth of the Heuningnes River, between Arniston and Struisbaai and tends to be regarded as a satellite of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. It supports a number of small mammals, such as grysbok, steenbok and grey duiker as well as the rather illusive caracal. De Mond is ideal for birdwatching and the reserve is particularly important for the protection of the threatened Damara, South Africa's most endangered coastal bird.
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Travellers' Reviews
5 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Visited it once and loved it so much the family bought a cottage there 7 years ago!
Mark Skea (Durban)
Verified review
I was born at the Lighthouse in 1954. My father, JF Hannabus, was an assistant keeper there with Mac Stewart then. We lived in the "left part" of the building below the tower. My late brother is buried at Danger Point Lighthouse, near Gansbaai (1961) Agulhas and its residents are great people. Each time I caravan there it's special. My father drove off the road at Spookdraai late one night! I think he swerved for the "ghost"!
Peter-John Hannabus (George)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
16 on Main
The Arniston self catering cottage is the ultimate in self-catering accommodation in the Western Cape. The open-plan lounge and dining area leadi...
Arniston Guest House
Situated in the small seaside village of Arniston, Arniston Guest House offers warm hospitality, good food as well as traditional and modern comf...
BlueSky Arniston Guest House
Located just 450m away from the beach, BlueSky Guest House in Arniston offers bed & breakfast accommodation in the historical fishing village. Al...
Kassiesbaai Holiday Apartment
Kassiesbaai Holiday Apartment is located adjacent to Arniston Cottage. The apartment provides Arniston self catering accommodation close to the o...
Die Waenhuis
Die Waenhuis is located in Arniston and is situated near to the beach and harbour. The cottage provides self catering accommodation for four gues...
Arniston B&B
Arniston B&B has a warm friendly home from home atmosphere. You will enjoy the comfort of crispy fresh accommodation with your own private patio ...
Arniston Lodge
Arniston Lodge is a traditionally styled Guest House offering bed & breakfast accommodation in the quaint fishing village of Kassiesbaai, just a ...
Arniston Cottage
Arniston Cottage is located in the seaside village of Arniston. The cottage offers self catering accommodation near to the beach and harbour. The...
The Arniston Spa Hotel
The luxurious 4-star Arniston Spa Hotel is internationally known as one of the world's great getaways and includes a relaxation spa. We welcome y...
Arniston Seaside Cottages
Close to the beaches are Arniston Seaside Cottages, a cluster of impressive luxury thatch roof cottages,emphasising the unique personality of Arn...
Things to do in the area
Whale Watching in Arniston
Whales come to the Arniston coastline each year from April to January, with peak viewing times being in September and October, to calve and mate....
Arniston Beach
At the Arniston Beach you can relax and take a step back in time. The soft white sand is contrasted by the rugged rocks of the coastline. Spend y...
Sterna Hiking Trail
The Sterna Hiking Trail invites visitors to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of Arniston in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The trail itself ...
Willeen's Arts and Crafts Restaurant
Overlooking the beach in Kassiesbaai you'll find this unique and charming eatery / craft shop. Willeen's started as a shop, offering craftworks a...
Arniston Hotel Restaurant
The Arniston Spa Hotel's trademark is its selection of local sea fare. Our chef gets his inspiration from the world's largest larder, the sea, an...
Ginkgo Spa at Arniston Hotel
This is an exclusive venue and is operated by the renowned Ginkgo Spa & Wellness Group. Calm your mind in this relaxation spa and let us pamper y...
Fishing in Arniston
The management and staff at The Arniston Spa Hotel are keen fishermen and offer their guests a unique service in that they will advise you on the...
Visit the Waenhuiskrans Cave
Two and half hours out of Cape Town at the southermost Tip of Africa, the Waenhuiskrans (wagon house cliff) is the highlight of a visit to Waenhu...
Spookdraai Hiking Trail
There is no secret behind the name of this hiking trail at Cape Agulhas. There have been so many shipwrecks along this coastline that even if you...
Noteworthy attractions
Agulhas National Park
Lying in what is known as the Agulhas Plain at the southernmost tip of Africa is the Agulhas National Park, just 45 kilometres from the popular v...
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 f...
Cape Agulhas Wine Route
Elim is something of a phenomenon as its unique ‘terroir' has caused much excitement in the wine community worldwide. The cool and strong winds t...
Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve
Formerly known as Waenhuiskrans until a ship by the name of Arniston was wrecked here, the village is a much sought after holiday residence becau...
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 Reserv...
Tip of Africa Route
Based on the Overberg Tourism map, the Tip of Africa Route starts in Cape Town, where you take the N2 via Grabouw and Caledon to the pretty town ...
Waenhuiskrans Cave
Waenhuiskrans (wagon house cliff) is the highlight of a visit to Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve in Arniston. What makes the Waenhuiskrans Cave so e...
Cape Agulhas Wine Estates
The official wine route of Cape Agulhas transports tourists to a charming part of the country and includes the area of Montagu. Although this is ...
De Mond Nature Reserve
As its name suggests De Mond Nature Reserve lies at a river mouth – the Heuningnes River - in the curve of a natural bay, almost halfway between ...
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