About Malgas Pontoon Ferry
Do not expect anything romantic from the pontoon ferry that gets you, and your car, to Malgas. It is not a ferry in the traditional sense. Instead the pont is rather like a floating wooden barge onto which you and your car pull before it is hand-drawn across the Breede River.
The Malgas Pont, as it is known is famous as the only hand-drawn pont, and the last of its kind, in South Africa.
We are not short of pontoons. There are another two – one at Sendelingsdrift on the Orange River in the Richtersveld, and the other at the Kei River mouth on the Wild Coast. However, neither of these is hand-drawn.
The Malgas Pont ferries you to and from the little bankside village of Malgas in the Overberg. Malgas lies here because it used to serve as a trading port – you can navigate the Breede River some 50 km inland from its mouth, at Witsand and Infanta (on opposite sides of the mouth) to Malgas.
Back then it was faster to send goods from Cape Town by ship than ox wagon, which means the Breede River played a very important role in distributing goods to the farms of the Overberg. A steamer, called the Kadie, sailed from Cape Town right up the Breede River as far as Malgas, which acted as a port for the area.
The pontoon remains because once Malgas lost its importance as a port it was not deemed important enough to warrant the building of a bridge.
The pont works with a standing cable (a pulley system) along which the ferry is 'walked' across the river. It is run by three or four local men, who haul as many as three cars 120 metres across the water at a time.
The pont is the only way across the Breede, by car, on the back roads between the N2 and Cape Infanta. To reach Malgas (sometimes referred to as Malgasy), take the turn-off from the N2 shortly after Swellendam and follow signposts.
Need to Know
WhereMalgas, Cape Overberg, Western Cape
WhenDaily from sunrise to sunset.
How muchPrices on request.
OvernightStay nearby in Malgas, in Western Cape
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Find Malgas Pontoon Ferry in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.
Malagas Hotel
Malagas Hotel is a family friendly country hotel situated on the banks of the mighty Breede River. This is where time slows down to give you the ...
Breede River Houseboats
Experience the tranquility and adventure of the Breede River with our 7.8 metre, sturdy, and easy-to-navigate houseboat. This safe and well-equip...
Ferry View
Ferry View is family-friendly and is situated at the Malagas Hotel on the banks of the mighty Breede River. This is where time slows down to give...
Cob Cottage
Cob Cottage is a charming property that focuses on providing guests with a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, all while immersing them in the ...
Cob Cottage at Tides River
Cob Cottage at Tides River lies on the banks of the Breede River near Malgas. Relax on the lawns, fish off the river bank, explore the river, wat...
Tides River Lodge
Tides River Lodge lies on the banks of the Breede River near Malgas, in the Cape. A short two and a half hour trip from Cape Town and half an hou...
Zebra Lodge at Tides River
Set amongst milkwoods and aloes and meters from the water all rooms have river views. Ideal for a large group, Zebra Lodge Holiday Home in Malgas...
Heron House at Tides River
Heron House at Tides River is situated on the banks of the Breede River. Privately owned, this peaceful heaven is a birdwatcher's and fisherman's...
Boathouse at Tides River
Our romantic Boathouse is just for the two of you, right on the water with a deck overlooking the river. The Boathouse is a Studio style open pla...
Duikers Dash House
Duikers Dash offers an exquisite self-catering retreat located on the picturesque banks of the Breede River in Malgas. This charming residence pr...
Kob Crescent
The property features seven gorgeous bedrooms, two of which are located in a separate cottage. The bedrooms vary in size, with some offering bunk...
Brummer House
The Brummer House is a charming double-story property that blends the old and the new, offering a delightful setting for relaxation and explorati...
Ashanti House
Ashanti is an enchanting, double-story house with wooden paneling, nestled on the scenic banks of the Breede River. It features expansive gardens...
Living The Breede Houseboats
Living The Breede Houseboats is a unique accommodation experience located in the village of Malgas and along the picturesque Breede River. Each h...
Aan De Breede
Aan De Breede House is a double-story house situated along the banks of the Breederiver, offering a welcoming sight with vast vistas of the Potbe...
Staples House
Staples House is an inviting two-level family holiday retreat, perfectly situated on the tranquil shores of the Breede River in the peaceful vill...
Lorigan House
Lorigan House is a self-catering holiday home nestled on the banks of the Bree River in a picturesque area of Malgas. The property boasts lovely ...
Norvana House
The spacious home features four beautifully appointed bedrooms, each thoughtfully decorated to provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The...
The Old Oke Riverhouse
Nestled in the heart of Malgas, The Old Oke Riverhouse stands as the first container home in the area, offering a unique and peaceful retreat for...
Kalm Riverside Retreat
Kalm Riverside Living is a secluded off-the-grid holiday retreat situated along the banks of the Breede River near Malgas. This comfortable self-...
Ossies Kloof
Ossies Kloof presents a tranquil, self-catering retreat for families, situated right on the water's edge in the quiet village of Malgas, a two-an...
Newman House
Newman House is a charming double-storey holiday retreat situated along the riverbank in Malgas, offering guests the exclusive advantage of a pri...
Owl Cottage Malgas
Owl Cottage, a private retreat, provides accommodation for up to 4 guests. It features two bedrooms. The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living ar...
Melk Houte Bosch Manor House
Melk Houte Bosch Manor House offers Malgas accommodation on a working farm that is 34 km from Swellendam and 22 km from De Hoop Nature Reserve on...
Stay @ Napky Cabin
This charming cabin includes a queen-size bed and an open-plan bathroom that features a walk-in shower and a bathtub with a view. Guests can unwi...
Melk Houte Bosch Guest Farm
Situated 34kms from Swellendam, Melk Houte Bosch is an active working farm with sheep, cattle and fields of oats, wheat, barley and canola. Enjoy...
Other things to do in the area
The Bush Pub
Sitting on the banks of the glorious Breede River, surrounded by the greenery of the Western Cape Province and the sound of the prolific bird lif...
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...
Self Drive Swellendam to Witsand
Route: Swellendam, Bontebok National Park, De Hoop, Malgas, WitsandDescription: the rolling countryside of the Duineveld (west of the Breede Rive...
Noteworthy attractions
Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy
Part of the value of this conservancy is that it is the natural hub of a range of endangered and rare fynbos species and habitats. So many of the...
Flower Valley Farm
Flower Valley Farm partners with Fynsa, based in the nearby town of Stanford. They provide a group of local people to pick fynbos at Flower Valle...
Venster Kloof Nature Garden
Venster Kloof Nature Garden, also known as the Caledon Wildflower Garden, is a wonderful space in which to spend a little time. It is called Vens...
Caledon Blue Crane Route
The Caledon farmers grouped together to protect the Blue Crane bird and increase tourism in the area, establishing the Caledon Blue Crane Route, ...
Shaw's Pass
Also known as Shaw's Mountain Pass, this passage into the Overberg links the Hemel en Aarde valley outside Hermanus to Caledon. It lies on the R3...
Grootbos Nature Reserve
Grootbos Nature Reserve is spectacularly situated on the fynbos and forest clad hills that overlook the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. This ...
Dyer Island Nature Reserve
Most people have heard of Dyer Island. Shark Alley, the strip of sea between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, off the coast of Gansbaai and Pearly Be...
Dyer Island Penguin Colony
Dyer Island lies roughly 8.5km off the coast of Gansbaai, about two hours' from Cape Town; the most southern offshore island frequented by pengui...
Shark Cage Diving
Shark cage diving in South Africa has grown greatly in popularity and there are now a number of commercialized locations to view these incredible...
Accommodation convenient to Malgas Pontoon Ferry
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