There are a few big events happening annually during the December holidays in Stilbaai, like Touchies that is now a tournament along the Cape coast after it originated in Stilbaai in 1978 and always takes place on the 26th of December. The most gruelling inflatable boat race in the world, the five-day Trans Agulhas Challenge, starts on 28 December in Plettenberg Bay and finishes in the Strand after competing teams overnight in Stilbaai on the 29th Dec. after the second leg of this race that is taking place for the 31st time this year.
Then there is Stilbaai’s very own NSRI 10km race annually organised by Nico Steenekamp, who spends his December holiday in Stilbaai and started organising this event 12 years ago. The event is always scheduled for the 31st of December to end off the year and start the new year on a trot.
This scenic 10km route takes runners and walkers from tarred roads to dirt roads to hiking trails through the most scenic parts of Stilbaai. Last year 1 073 participants finished it. The funds go to Stilbaai’s NSRI Station 31 that is an extremely important volunteer organisation in Stilbaai.
Participants can enter for the event the day before, on Sunday 30 Dec. between 17:00 and 19:00 at the NSRI at the harbour and from 5:30 on Monday morning before the event starts at 7:00. The entry fee is R50.

To see what else is happening in Stilbaai, visit the Events sections and have a look at Things To Do for suggestions on what else you can do.

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We love this time of the year when visitors and holidaymakers enjoy taking photos of the beautiful Stilbaai – like this photo by Cobus Bester taken of the bridge over the Goukou River in Stilbaai.
This bridge took 17 months to complete and was opened in August 1955. According to an article in WEG Magazine, residents and visitors had to use a flat-bottomed boat for their goods between the east to the west before a ‘tiekieboot‘ was used (you had to pay a threepence to use it). This was then replaced in the early 1930’s by the ferry.
When the bridge was constructed, residents had to be convinced that the huge amount of money (£60 000) spent on the bridge with its double lanes, would be worth it. Nowadays one can’t imagine how life in Stilbaai would be without this important link between the east and the west.
Visit the Stilbaai Tourism Bureau at the Palinggat Homestead at the end of Langenhoven Street for more information and photos about Stilbaai from the early years.

Photo from WEG Magazine

Yes, the summer holiday is here and Stilbaai welcomes the holidaymakers and visitors.
With so much to do at the river, on the beach and at sea, we would just like everyone to be safe.
Keep the telephone number of the NSRI handy – the 24-hour number is 082 990 5978. Now, enjoy the kite-surfing (more information about kite-surfing lessons); find the best surfing spots; enjoy the Stand-Up Paddling, canoeing, kayaking (kayak rentals and adventures); pop in at the Surf Shack (between SPAR and OK Grocer) and wear sunscreen!
Find out about events and happenings HERE and download the Stilbaai App to get to the Tides and Weather charts quick and easy.

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How beautiful is Stilbaai! Expect scenes like this – video by @ebendebod – and enjoy the holiday! Info: www.mystilbaai.co.za #stilbaaiapp @ebendebod: “Sometimes we forget how beautiful our own country is” – thank you for sharing!

A post shared by MyStilbaai (@mystilbaai) on Dec 10, 2018 at 6:01am PST

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At last! It is December and that means – it is holiday time for many.
It has been quite a tough year from Stilbaai and the area as fires reeked havoc again and many farm lands and fields were lost while the area did not receive the amount of rain it needs. This means that it is currently very dry and the Hessequa Municipality put water restrictions in place.
To top it all, Eskom has started with a load shedding program and this not only influence all the households, but also the businesses, big and small.
Please also adhere to the rules for fireworks. NO fireworks are allowed in Hessequa. Residents and visitors will still remember what happened on the first day of the 2018 and by just looking at the area across from the municipal offices, will serve as a reminder…
We have put together some handy information regarding all these issues. Both the website and Facebook page of the Hessequa Municipality are quite up to date and helpful – visit it to find more information.

Please adhere to these water restrictions from 10 Dec. to 10 Jan. for the whole of the Hessequa region.

Find the Eskom Load Shedding schedule for December HERE. This information is also available on the Stilbaai App (download it for free on your mobile device) and information will be shared on Facebook.
If you would want information about power outages in Stilbaai, send a WhatsApp to  (072) 444-7325 to be added to this WhatsApp group.

Herewith information regarding fireworks.

• NO fireworks are allowed in Stilbaai and Jongensfontein
• NO Chinese lanterns!

The Stilbaai APP– information about Stilbaai in the palm of your hand!
This handy and easy to use App (APPlication) supplies users with information about Stilbaai.

As November is nearing its end and holiday goers count the days to their well-deserved break in Stilbaai during December, we share this photo by @eurekascreation who visited Stibaai and post this nice photo.
There are many activities, events and happenings planned for the holidays and we update our calendar daily.
Have a look at the latest holiday calendar HERE to stay up to date with what’s happening.
Download the Stilbaai App to have this information and more ready and available in the palm of your hand!

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We ? this pic and #rockart by @eurekascreation . Now that we’ve got your attention: remember that all the info about Stilbaai is available on www.mystilbaai.co.za And download the handy #StilbaaiApp !! Repost from @eurekascreation – #RockArt #Ocean #stilbaai #BlueSky #Happiness

A post shared by MyStilbaai (@mystilbaai) on Nov 28, 2018 at 12:38am PST

Skulpiesbaai, Stilbaai – this area falls in the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve and is known for the amount of shells found on the beach. (Photo: Este Smit)

What you can do at Skulpiesbaai:

• Enjoy the beach – and all the shells!
• Do the various hiking trails in the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve
• Surf at Dolphin Point
• Visit the ancient fish traps (visible with low-tide)
• Pick up litter that washes ashore or are left by careless beach users…

What you can NOT do at Skulpiesbaai:

• No fishing 
  • No fishing between the red and white poles towards Morris Point on the left and past the fish traps on the right
  • Reason: it is a nature reserve and a Marine Protected Area (MPA)
  • Stilbaai was declared a marine protected area in 2008. It connects to the land-based Geelkrans Nature Reserve, which ensures that the coastal zone is well protected. The area, managed by CapeNature, is protected to rebuild overexploited marine life, particularly reef/line fish. It also prevents habitat degradation and preserves vis-vwyers (fish traps), which are archaeologically and culturally important. Fishing is still allowed in controlled areas, but it is banned in Geelkrans, Skulpiesbaai and Goukou estuary. Goukou was the first estuary to be included in marine protected area in the Western Cape. (www.capenature.co.za)

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The beauty of #Skulpiesbaai #Stilbaai See you in Stilbaai soon! Find everything you’re looking for on www.mystilbaai.co.za . Repost from @estesmit – Skulpies op skulpies baai! #skulpiesbaai #seashells? #prettiest #stilbaai #westerncape #gardenroute #nature #sea #sun #funday #love #colorpop #colorful #beautiful #heritage #stunning #southafrica

A post shared by MyStilbaai (@mystilbaai) on Nov 20, 2018 at 10:25pm PST

Enjoy your visit to Skulpiesbaai, Stilbaai!

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Wednesday, 7 November – Stilbaai is still very much a little fishing village with boats and charters departing from the harbour on a daily basis to provide for families.
It is, however, not every day that you get that ‘big one’, like Hennie Esterhuizen who brought this 33kg cod from the boat, Dorado, in. Like they say: “Die kabeljou loop!”
Hilda Rudd captured the moment.

Hennie Esterhuizen with his 33kg cod. (Photo: Hilda Rudd)

How beautiful is this photo by Jean de Villiers taken at Jongensfontein.
He asks the question: where is the best place to learn how to surf during December.
Well, we suggest Stilbaai and Jongensfontein of course!
Here are some suggestions about a few surf spots (www.wavescape.co.za) and visit at the Surf Shack (between OK Grocer and Fynbos / SPAR Shopping Centre).

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Where’s the best place to learn surfing this December in South Africa? ?? #itstime

A post shared by Jean Daville (@jeandevilliers) on Nov 5, 2018 at 2:59am PST

Stilbaai Kelders, dié wynboetiek met meer as 700 wyne, ‘n groot verskeidenheid craft bier en -gin asook al die ander gunstelinge, is vyf jaar oud.
Baie geluk aan die eienaars, Adolf Botes en Johannie Vermeulen!