by Elza | Jul 14, 2017 | Uncategorized
The whales are back in the Bay of the Sleeping Beauty!
Stilbaai is on the migratory whale route that has the higest gathering of whales in the world every year and the whales have already been spotted on a few occassions this year in Stilbaai. The Southern Right Whales visit annually between June and November to bear their calves. Watch them playing around from Lappiesbaai beach or the whale look-out point above the harbour.
Southern Right Whales are usually approximately 15m long, weigh about 50 to 60 tons and live to about 100 years. They are characterised by their gentle slowness, the lack of a dorsal fin and rought patches of skin called callosities on their heads. These wart-like growths are covered with whale lice and, as each whale has a unique callosity pattern, are often used to identify individual whales.
These drone footage of the whales in Stilbaai was taken on Thursday (13 July 2017) by Piet Jordaan with his Phantom 4 Pro drone about 820 metres from the lighthouse. (Click on the link to view the action and more beautiful photos.)
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by Elza | Jul 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
Stilbaai angler, Raymond Bloem, had quite an unusual experience when he caught a beautiful St Joseph shark, also known as an Elephant Fish, that weighed about 3.5kg. He caught this fish in the Lappiesbaai surf using Agio baits chokka while fihsing for a kob. Stilbaai anglers are known for safely releasing what they catch and this St Joseph shark was also safely released. His experience was shared on Facebook by Stilbaai’s leading angling shop, Stil Fishing.
More information about the Elephant Fish:
The Elephant Fish, well known in South Africa as the St. Joseph Shark, is a strange saltwater fish species that belongs to the group Cartilaginous Fishes which include other sharks such as the Great White Shark and Ragged Tooth Shark. The St. Joseph Shark looks really strange as it has a digging proboscis on the front of its snout while the first dorsal fin has a large venemous spine in front of it. and is unlike any saltwater fish in the region. The St Joseph Shark (Elephant Fish), which grows to 120cm in total length, can be caught on a wide range of baits, from prawn to sardine. It eats sea urchins, bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods, worms and bony fish and its predators include seals and sharks.
(Information from www.fishthesea.co.za)
For all your angling equipment, outdoor requirements and information about fishing, visit Stil Fishing at 2 Voortrekker Street, Stilbaai (Tel: 028 754 3343) and talk to owner and experienced angler, Stefan van Huysteen.
Stilbaai angler, Raymond Bloem, with his Elephant Fish, caught at Lappiesbaai beach (Stilbaai). Photo from Facebook
by Elza | Apr 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
Looking to do some 4×4 driving while visiting the Stilbaai / Jongensfontein area?
Why not try the 4×4 Sand Route between Stilbaai and Jongensfontein at Eden Park!
This route consists of a scenic loop that is not too difficult, depending on the driver’s level of experience as well as the vehicle’s capabilities and a ‘Speelgat’ where various climbs out of the sandy ‘bowl’ not only test the skills of the drivers and the 4×4 performance of the vehicles, but it is great fun.
All you need is a 4×4 vehicle with Hi and Low Range and R150 per vehicle for the permit.
Remember to deflate the vehicle’s tyres to about 1Bar (or even less). There is a pump so that you can inflate the tyres again before leaving the farm.
Follow the route by following the arrows. Keep an eye out for tortoises, buck and other animals – we saw a few very interesting tracks… – and like always when doing 4×4: ‘Tread Lightly’.
How to get to Eden Park 4×4: About nine kilometres from Stilbaai (one kilometres before Jongensfontein) take the gravel road to the right (away from the ocean and Jongensfontein’s first houses) and follow the indicators for about two kilometres to Eden Park.
Buy the permit in the ‘self-help’ office and start the fun.
The Eden Park 4×4 Sand Route is an enjoyable experience for the whole family.
There is also a seasonal nine-hole golf course.
For more information, contact André at 072 155 4857
by Elza | Mar 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
The local newspaper, Suid-Kaap Forum, reported today (Thursday, 23 March 2017) that Blomboschfontein Nature Reserve has been declared as a Provincial Heritage Site so as to protect its archaeological value. The site includes the structures and unmarked graves as well as the nature characteristics with a cultural value and the archaeological areas in the reserve.
The Blombos Cave is situated next to the reserve and received Provincial Heritage status on 29 May 2015. “This heritage site contain important evidence of pre-historic life and with its declaration as a heritage site it will be preserved for future generations. The Blombos Cave is especially important as it contains archaeological evidence from the Middel Stone Age and bears testimony to a cultural tradition which no longer exist. Due to this Blombos Cave is not open to the public, but the Hessequa Archaeological Society manages a detailed exhibition on the cave at the Palinggat Homestead and forms part of the Archaeological Museum.” – Suid-Kaap Forum
Suid-Kaap Forum article: Blomboschfontein Nature Reserve now a Provincial Heritage Site
- Visit the information centre and museum at Stilbaai Tourism to learm more about the Blombos Cave
- Photos from Professor Christopher Hensilwood’s first visit of 2017 to the Blombos Cave
- For more information about archaeology in the Hessequa area, visit the Hessequa Society of Archaeology (website)
- Read local Stilbaai resident, Rhona van Heerden’s blog about their recent hiking experience from Blombos to Jongensfontein.
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by Elza | Feb 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Stilbaai se 9-gaatjie-gholfbaan is bekend vir sy besonderse uitsig wat die oseaan vanaf Lappiesbaai en Stilbaai se oostelike gedeelte tot by Skulpiesbaai, die visvywers en Bosbokduin insluit.
Die gholfklub is in 1986 gestig met die stigterslede (Stilbaai-inwoners) wat die baan ontwerp het terwyl hulle ook tot die bou daarvan bygedra het. Dit is in 1987 geopen en beskik tans oor 357 klublede.
Die baansyfer is 72.
Fasiliteite sluit in ‘n afslaanbaan; 17 verskillende afslaanbowwe; gholfkarretjies en waentjies te huur; ‘n Pro Shop en ‘n klubhuis wat ook vir funksies en seminare gehuur kan word.
Klubbestuurder: Gerida Hough
Tel: (028) 754 2625 / Email: info@stilbaaigolf.co.za
Website: www.stilbaaigolf.co.za
STILBAAI’S BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE – AND INTERESTING TREES!
Stilbaai’s 9 hole golf course is known for its beautiful views that include the ocean from Lappiesbaai and the eastern side of town to Skulpiesbaai, the fish traps and Bosbokduin.
The golf club was founded in 1986 and the founding members, who resided in Stilbaai, designed it and contributed to it being built. It was opened in 1987 and has currently 357 members.
It is a 72 par course.
The facilities include a driving range; 17 different tees; golf carts and trolleys for hire; a Pro Shop and a club house that can be rented for functions and seminars.
Club manager: Gerida Hough
Tel: (028) 754 2625 / Email: info@stilbaaigolf.co.za
Website: www.stilbaaigolf.co.za
Some of the ‘interesting’ trees at Stilbaai’s beautiful golf course. More photos HERE
