About De Hoop Marine Protected Area
De Hoop Marine Protected Area (MPA) lies adjacent to the De Hoop Nature Reserve, approximately 260 km from Cape Town on the Cape Overberg coastline, protecting 253 km² between Stillbaai Point and Ryspunt, and extending three nautical miles offshore.
Did you know? The aim of a marine protected area is to conserve marine life. They take the form of a collaboration between civil society, communities and government that promote conservation and safeguard threatened marine species and important habitats.
Marine protected areas generally conserve the sea alongside nature reserves. You can think of them as preserving a section of sea the way that nature reserves protect an area of land. What they do, in essence, is severely limit human interference. Fishing and any water activities are markedly limited, if not forbidden.
De Hoop Marine Protected Area is the only area to protect an especially beautiful intertidal system of soft sandstone and limestone platforms. The African black oystercatcher breeds in this inter-tidal zone, largely undisturbed, whilst the rock pools that rest in amongst these platforms are important breeding grounds for reef fish and a huge variety of invertebrates like starfish, sea cucumbers, mussels and urchins.
One of De Hoop's major success stories is the recovery of the galjoen, a migrant and over-fished species that is protected by the MPA. The biggest, and longest running, fish tagging monitoring and research programme - tagging well over 50 000 fish before releasing them - takes place at De Hoop. The project gathers important information for linefish management around the country.
The eastern shores of the Marine Protected Area are washed by deep water protecting a number of reef systems. These shores also provide sanctuary for a little colony of African penguins. Whilst the western section of the MPA is given over to huge migrant sand dunes.
De Hoop is a vital area for the southern right whale. The MPA and St Sebastian Bay combine to provide a critical nursery for as many as 80 percent of the cow-calf pairs on the South African coastline. This translates into as many as 350 whales at any one time within the boundaries of the De Hoop Marine Protected Area.
As a result, De Hoop Nature Reserve is often referred to as a 'whale watcher's paradise'. The popular Whale Trail hiking route is along this shoreline, within the MPA.
But it is not whales alone that grace the waters of the De Hoop MPA. Shoaling pelagic species (those fish neither close to the ocean's bottom nor near shore), like yellowtail, great white sharks who feed on the afterbirths of southern right whales, and the humpbacked dolphin, whose numbers are dwindling, are also frequent visitors.
On the shoreline the MPA protects rock hyrax (dassies), porcupine, mongoose and sometimes leopard, who all feed on the intertidal platforms.
Need to Know
WhereAdjacent to the De Hoop Nature Reserve in Cape Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours.
OvernightStay in De Hoop Accommodation, Western Cape
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Additional Reading
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In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in De Hoop
Opstal Vlei Cottages
The thatched Opstal Vlei Cottages are two-bedroomed cottages with fireplaces overlooking the wetland. There are three lovely cottages each with t...
Opstal Equipped Cottages
Opstal Equipped Cottages are all fully equipped for self-catering stays in De Hoop Nature Reserve. They have well appointed kitchens, bedrooms an...
Opstal Camp Rondawels
These five campsite rondawels are thatched cottages with two beds, outdoor shared showers and toilets. Perfect for guests looking for simple and ...
Opstal Houses
The Opstal Houses are three spacious houses set among the milkwoods and close to the vlei. These houses are well appointed and perfect for famili...
De Hoop Village
The De Hoop Collection offers a wide range of accommodation. From affordable self-catering chalets and cottages to five-star fully catered lodges...
Opstal Manor House
Opstal Manor House is a beautiful original home which has been restored to its former glory. Accommodation includes dinner and breakfast which i...
Opstal Suites
Opstal Suites offer luxury accommodation in De Hoop Reserve that includes dinner and breakfast in The Fig Tree Restaurant. There are 12 suites in...
De Mond Villa
De Mond Villa is a holiday home in De Hoop located on the edge of Ramsar Vlei. It has five en-suite bedrooms. There is a fully equipped kitchen, ...
Things to do in the area
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 ...
De Hoop Vlei Trail
When visiting the beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve spend some time exploring the De Hoop Vlei Trail which is 19km long and is an excellent exampl...
De Hoop Nature Reserve MTB Trail
This is an overnight trail that starts at the Potberg Environmental Centre at the De Hoop Nature Reserve. You will stay overnight at the Cupidosk...
De Hoop Trail
Start: De Hoop Nature ReserveFinish: De Hoop Nature ReserveDuration: 2 days, 3 nightsFitness: moderate – the walking pace is gentle, but the walk...
The Whale Trail
Start: Potberg, De Hoop Nature ReserveFinish: Koppie Alleen, De Hoop Nature ReserveDuration: 54 km, 5 daysFitness: moderate to difficult (this i...
Self Drive Swellendam to Witsand
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Vlei and Veldt Trail
Start: the restaurant at Die OpstalFinish: Die OpstalDuration: the shorter loop (red) is 6 km and very doable; the longer route (blue) just over ...
Whale Coast Mall
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Noteworthy attractions
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Hermanus Whale Crier
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Hermanus Beaches
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Hermanus Hiking Trails
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Hermanus Golf Club
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De Hoop Nature Reserve
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Accommodation near De Hoop Marine Protected Area
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