De Kelders, Cape Overberg
The little village of De Kelders, which lies just 5 km north of Gansbaai and about 25 minutes' drive from Hermanus, has managed to remain largely immune to the large scale tourism that envelopes this part of the country, and is still essentially a fishing village and famous for its seafood.
De Kelders lies on the shores of Walker Bay - renowned as the home of the Southern Right Whale - because it is predominantly to these sheltered bays and rocky inlets that the whales return year after year to mate and calve between July through November. Some of the best land-based whale watching in the world is the major attraction of De Kelders and whales come to within metres of the rocks that line the edges of kelp beds along the De Kelders coastline, never ceasing to elicit delight.
The coast here has one of the most unusual and distinctive geological features in the form of a series of underground caves beneath the cliffs. Known formerly as Die Drup Kelder (the drip cellar) the town is today simply called De Kelders (Dutch for the cellars). These natural caves - there are a number of them, both large and small - contain stalactites and stalagmites and crystal clear pools set in the floor with cool water perfect for swimming. One in particular, known as the Freshwater cave, is famous for its pool, but not open to the public in a bid to conserve its original beauty. Stanford's Bay in De Kelders is an ideal alternative for swimming.
The Klipgat Trail is a 7 km path from the Gansbaai harbour to the cave past a number of rock pools and caves en route that also takes in some of this part of the coast's rare limestone fynbos. The Walker Bay Nature Reserve itself is well worth a visit and includes a long beach, known as De Plaat, along its 17 km coastline.
The reserve stretches between Hermanus and Stanford for about 25 km. Fine examples of lowland coastal fynbos, also known as strandveld, are in evidence here and animals in the reserve include the Cape clawless otter, bushbuck, duiker, grysbok and steenbok. One can fish, swim and picnic within the reserve as well as enjoy a number of day hikes.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Visited De Kelders weekend of 23 June 2012. Saw 4 of whales in De Kelders Bay. Most amazing experience, the whales were very close to the coastel rocks. All along the coastel road aloes were in full bloom, indegeniuos plants were plentiful and a variety of birds graced us with their prescence. The weather was perfect while it was storming in Cape Town.
Linda Jean Fortune (Cape Town)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
30 On Main
30 On Main, nestled between Gansbaai and Stanford, is the place to unwind - whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or simply a base from wh...
Blougans B&B
A warm welcome awaits you at the four-star Blougans B&B in Perlemoenbaai, near Gansbaai. The accommodation overlooks Walker Bay, the only Whale N...
Walker Bay Whale Watching Villa
Fleur Du Cap is a luxury, sea front villa offering accommodation in De Kelders set on limestone cliffs overlooking the best whale watching spot i...
Calamari Self Catering
Calamari Self Catering boasts beautiful views, has two beautiful bedrooms both furnished with Queen-size beds and two sofa beds, perfect for curl...
Forest Cabin
Forest Cabins at Romansbaai is located on a private beach estate, in the Overberg, with access to a pristine and private sandy beach. This is clo...
Kleinzee Oceanfront Guesthouse
Oceanfront, affordable luxury in the best area for land based whale watching. Built in Cape Dutch farmhouse style, this guest house offers 3 ocea...
La Luna House
La Luna is a cosy, wooden home that provides accommodation for six guests. Situated in Walker Bay, this is one of the most astonishing places in ...
Sea Star Lodge
The lodge is located in de Kelders - a small village at the Atlantic Ocean between Stanford and Gansbaai. Originally designed as a private home f...
Twin Cabins at Romansbaai
Twin Cabins at Romansbaai offers two separate cabins, the one with lounge, kitchen and entertainment area, the other two en-suite luxury bedrooms...
Whale Cove A104
Whale Cove A104 is a three bedroom, two bathroom luxury apartment in De Kelders, Gansbaai, with secure on site parking. The apartment is a modern...
Whalesong Lodge
A small intimate guesthouse perched on top of the rugged De Kelders Cliffs overlooking the picturesque Walker Bay with the coastline stretching f...
Bellamente Sirene
Bellamente Sirene is a Mediterranean style guesthouse, nestled in Fynbos in De Kelders, Gansbaai. Overlooking the sea and the mountains we offer...
1 Harbour Way
1 Harbour Way is a self-catering home overlooking Gansbaai's quaint fishing harbour. If you love upmarket living and enjoy being as close to natu...
The Whales View House
The villa boasts five beautifully appointed bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, comfortably accommodating up to eight adults and three child...
Stanford's Cove Villa Two
Standford's Cove Villa One offers accommodation in De Kelders on the edge of an indigenous fynbos green belt meters away from Stanford's Cove....
Stanford's Cove Villa
Stanford's Cove Villa is a split level Villa situated on the edge of an indigenous fynbos green belt meters away from Stanford's Cove. A private ...
Black Barn
The Black Barn is set in lush Fynbos on an exclusive and private Beach Estate. It is located 400m from a white sandy beach. The Black Barn offers...
Marine 5 Guesthouse
Marine 5 Guesthouse overlooks the Walker Bay Marine Conservation Area. From here you are surrounded by fynbos and have a fabulous view from where...
The View At Whale Cove
The View At Whale Cove is situated on the edge of an indigenous Fynbos green belt, just metres away from the ocean in De Kelders. Boasting a sun-...
Guppy Huys
Guppy Huys is situated in De Kelders in the Cape Overberg and offers accommodation in a quiet upmarket neighbourhood. The town of Gansbaai is jus...
Whale Watch Accommodation
Situated in De Kelders, Whale Watch Accommodation is a comfortable holiday home ideal for a family break away. Standford Cove and De Kelders swim...
Eirene Place
Eirene Place is a spacious studio apartment located in De Kelders near the village of Gansbaai. The accommodation offers partial sea views, with ...
Villa The Cherry
Villa the Cherry is a luxury seafront retreat on a unique location and an architectural delight. It is located right on the cliff with unspoilt v...
Sunset View at Whale Cove
Boasting stunning sea views, Sunset View Apartment is a luxury self catering apartment for 6 people. De Kelders offers the best shark cage diving...
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Grootbos is a 5 star private nature reserve that celebrates the wonders of the dramatic landscape of South Africa. Exclusive and secluded, guests...
Sage at Whale Cove
Sage at Whale Cove is a lovely front row apartment on the ground floor offering self catering in De Kelders. The apartment enjoys spectacular ful...
Waterside Cottage De Kelders
This beautifully appointed four-bedroom, four-bathroom holiday home in De Kelders is the perfect self-catering accommodation, offering stunning o...
Whale Huys Luxury Oceanfront Eco Villa
Where two oceans meet and about as close to paradise as you can get. Perched on the oceans edge, Whale Huys has beautiful unobstructed sea views ...
Stanford's Cove Villa One
Standford's Cove Villa One offers accommodation in De Kelders situated on the edge of an indigenous fynbos green belt meters away from Stanford's...
La Petite Baleine Seaside Villa
Located in the seaside town of De Kelders and boasting sweeping, uninterrupted views is La Petite Baleine. Offering self catering accommodation, ...
Cliff Lodge Cottage
Cliff Lodge Cottage is a stunning cottage located in De Kelders, Gansbaai. This tranquil beach house is ideal for honeymooners or small groups lo...
Sea Star Cliff
Sea Star Cliff offers bed & breakfast accommodation in De Kelders. The Gansbaai area is popular for Whale watching and shark cage diving. All roo...
Cliff Lodge
Set on the cliffs, right above the sea with breathtaking views across Walker Bay, Cliff Lodge is 25 minutes from Hermanus in the village of De Ke...
Happy Family House
Situated on the Golden Mile, Happy Family House offers accommodation in a cosy, stylish residence for 10 guests. This is the perfect holiday acc...
Cypress Cove
Situated just 200m from a private beach on an estate in Gansbaai, Cypress Cove offers accommodation to four people. Gansbaai is well known for it...
Crayfish Lodge Sea & Country Guest House
Live the warmth of the sunsets, the magic of the whales and the beauty of the sea - at Crayfish Lodge. Newly built, this beautiful modern true se...
On the Rocks B&B
On the Rocks B&B allows you to enjoy a peaceful getaway, comfortable accommodation and splendid sunsets. All rooms are equipped with satellite TV...
Whale Waters Lodge
A warm welcome awaits you at Whale Waters' Guest Lodge situated on the De Kelders' cliffs overlooking Walker Bay, well-known for its world renown...
Lagom Place
Set in Fynbos and perfectly positioned a stone's throw from a private beach on an estate in Gansbaai, Lagom Place provides accommodation for two ...
The Yellow Door
The Yellow Door is a self-catering double-storey vacation home offering accommodation in De Kelders, Gansbaai. This family-friendly holiday house...
Romansbaai Moksha on the Sea
Romansbaai Moksha is located in the Romansbaai Beach and Fynbos Estate in Gansbaai. Experience bliss and inspiration, lose yourself in a breathta...
Zeezicht Guest House
Zeezicht Guest House can accommodate up to eight guests and offers views of the sea and the mountains. The guest house is located in the pristine...
Things to do in the area
Shark Cage Diving With Extreme Scene
Come to the Shark Capital of the World and meet the Great White Sharks! Cage Diving with these magnificent creatures is an exhilarating experienc...
Danger Point Lighthouse
It took roughly forty years after a major shipwreck on the coast at Gansbaai with a great loss of lives, for a lighthouse to finally emerge in 18...
Franskraal Beach
Cameras and binoculars at the ready everyone, Franskraal Beach is not only beautiful but is a popular birding hotspot and you are bound to see so...
Stanfords Bay
Stanfords Bay in De Kelders is a protected cove popular for fishing and swimming. Anglers can be seen amongst the rocks baiting their hooks and c...
Fynbos Trail
Start: Grootbos Nature Reserve, Growing the Future CollegeFinish: Grootbos Garden LodgeDuration: 26 km, 3 daysFitness: moderateOur tip: this Gree...
Duiwelsgat Hiking Trail
Start: Gansbaai harbourFinish: Klipgat caves, De KeldersDuration: 7 km, around 4 hoursFitness: easy, children can do this hikeOur tip: this is a ...
The Perlemoen Trail
Start: De DamFinish: Die PlaatDuration: 3 days with an optional 4th and 5th daysFitness: relatively fit but there are easy options for each dayOu...
Driving the Strandveld
Route: Hermanus, Elim, Cape Agulhas, Waenhuiskrans, Bredasdorp, NapierDescription: beautiful bays, sand dunes, villages, caves and shipwrecksLeng...
Strandveld Museum
The Strandveld Museum is situated in Frikkiesbaai, Franskraal 5km south of Gansbaai.The quaint building dates back to the 1860s where it was orig...
Noteworthy attractions
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Lying within the southern extension of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range about 90 kilometres south-east of Cape Town and 8 kilometres from Kl...
Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden lies in the epicentre (heart) of the Cape fynbos region - a dedication to this natural shrubland vege...
Hermanus Whale Crier
Hermanus on the Cape Whale Coast has its very own whale crier, and, what's more, Hermanus lays claim to the only whale crier in the world. The po...
Hermanus Beaches
Where? +/-2 hours drive from Cape Town on the south coast of the Cape. Includes: Onrus Beach, Grotto Beach, Kammabaai and Langbaai Beach. Go ther...
Hermanus Hiking Trails
While most visitors to Hermanus have many things to do on their itinerary, most involving the whales that have made this town famous, there are m...
Hermanus Golf Club
The course doesn't only challenge however, you are rewarded, hole after hole, with panoramic views that overlook the sparkling ocean and adding t...
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...
Marloth Nature Reserve
Lying just three kilometres from the pretty little town of Swellendam, the Marloth Nature Reserve conserves the central Langeberg Mountains that ...
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...
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