There are a variety of things to do at Stilbaai of which swimming in the sea or the river (or floating in the river) or walking on the beaches are only a start! We can also suggest the following:
STILBAAI TIDES – click on the link for information about the tides, sunrise and sunset etc.
GO ON A BOAT ADVENTURE
Sea-vu-Play is a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) powered by 500hp engines. It can take a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 people on a safe, fast and fun adventure trip and departs from Stilbaai Harbour.
Phone 083 337 9699 for more information and bookings
BRAAI NEXT TO THE SEA
Make use of the braai areas at Morris Point (to the right of the harbor) to braai next to the sea or next to the river at Lapskuit Restaurant. Please do not vandilise the braais and keep the braai areas clean.
CHEESE & WINE TASTING
Experience a unique cheese and wine tasting at Kasselshoop Cheese on their farm about halfway between Stilbaai and the N2. Tastings can be done between 10:00 and 15:00 Monday to Friday.
Kasselshoop’s traditional hand-crafted cheese (white and yellow cheddar, gouda and various flavoured cheeses) is being produced, packaged and distributed country wide while you can also purchase it locally.
Book your tasting by phoning them (028) 754 2430 or visit their website (www.kasselshoop.co.za) / send e-mail (info@kasselshoop.co.za)
CRUISE ON THE GOUKOU RIVER
Santamaria ferry travels up to 14km on the Goukou River and can take up to 30 people on a relaxed and scenic trip. It is ideal as a sundowner cruise, for sightseeing or a celebration. Take your own snacks and drinks.
Phone 082 3212 100 for more information or visit their website (www.santamariacruises.co.za)
Bentley Luxury Cruise: personalised 2 and a half hour cruise for a maximum of 12 people on the Goukou River. Bring own beverages.
Contact Paul Ross (028) 754 1003 / 083 357 5298 for reservations.
GO CYCLING
If you like to cycle to explore the area and/or to get or stay fit, you have various routes to do so. Mountain bikers and road cyclists, fit or not so fit, cycle where the road takes you!
GO DEEP SEA FISHING
Boat Tsitsikama takes anglers on deep-sea fishing trips. Get your fishing license (from the Post Office) and contact Andries at 082 787 9418 to book your trip.
Stilbaai Charters – for groups up to 10 people. Contact André at 084 360 4333
EAT OUT
Visit Places to Eat on our website for a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, take-aways and other eateries in Stilbaai.
VISIT THE FARM STALLS
Visit the farm stalls, Droëvlakte and Vrek-Lêke Slaguis as well as Botterkloof Farm Stall situated on the R305 between the N2 and Stilbaai. You will find a variety of interesting things including home-made items and all sorts of goodies.
FEED THE TAME EELS
The eels at the Stilbaai Information Bureau are the only tame eels in the country and have been living there for the past 125 years!
Visitors can feed these freshwater eels daily (Monday to Saturday at 11:00)
More information available from Stilbaai Tourism: Tel (028) 754 2602 / www.stilbaaitourism.co.za
GO FISHING!
Obtain your permit from the Post Office and go fishing! Visit the fishing shops if you require information about fishing in Stilbaai / Jongensfontein.
VISIT THE ANCIENT FISH TRAPS
Visit the ancient fish traps at Skulpiesbaai. According to history, these traps have been built by the Khoisan people more than 3 000 years ago and are visible at low tide. The fish traps have National Monument status and are situated in the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve.
Information available at Stilbaai Tourism: Tel (028) 754 2602 / www.stilbaaitourism.co.za
PLAY GOLF
Play a round of golf at the Stilbaai golf course, a 72 par / 9 hole course with bent greens. The course rating for men is 70 (5789m) and 71 (5111m) for the ladies.
Bookings are essential for Wednesday and Saturdays and daily visitors are welcome.
Phone (028) 754 2625 to book and visit www.stilbaaigolf.co.za for more information.
ENTER THE ANNUAL GALJOEN DERBY
The annual Galjoen Derby is being hosted by the Stilbaai Rots en Strand Kushengelklub and takes place in August (6 Aug 2016).
Contact Willie Welman on (028) 754 1722 / 082 560 7827 or visit www.stilbaaigaljoenderby.co.za
GOUKOU RIVER
The Goukou River can be navigated for 15km inland. Fishing is allowed (fish within the demarcated area) as well as canoeing; swimming and skiing. Launch boats from the jetty. No jet-ski’s.
Rent a kayak (R50 pp) from Kobus and Shantelle Geldenhuys. The kayaks are at the river (Lapskuit). Contact them on 082 781 2012 / 082 560 0413
VISIT THE HARBOUR & WAFRA
Visit the harbour; watch the fishing boats arrive with their daily catch or spend time watching the activities.
Walk to the back of the NSRI Building to visit the Wafra, the fishing boat that sunk on 25 April 2002.
GO FOR A HIKE
There are various scenic and safe hiking trails in and around Stilbaai.
The Strandloper Trail is about 8 kilometres long (3 hours) and starts at the Jagersbosch Community Centre in Stilbaai West.
The Geelkrans Trail is situated in the Geelkrans Nature Reserve and is 5 to 12 kilometres in distance. It takes between 3 to 6 six hours to complete. It starts to the east of Stilbaai close to the Preekstoel. (Info and photos)
The Noorkapper Trail starts at Morris Point and takes hikers along the coast to Jongensfontein. It is 11 kilometres and takes about 4 hours to complete.
The Pauline Bohen Trail is an easy 4 to 8 kilometre hike and will take one and ahalf to 3 hours to complete. The trail is on the east side of Stilbaai in the Pauline Bohen Nature Reserve.
The Lappiesbaai Trail is also on the east of Stilbaai and the 8 kilometre hike takes hikers from Lappiesbaai to the Preekstoel and back. The estimated time to complete this walk is 3 hours.
There are various hiking trails in the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve and trails start from the whale watching point near the harbour; the parking areas at Morris Point and the fish traps.
The West River Bank Hiking Trail (about 4 kilometres in total) can start from the Stilbaai Info Centre/Tourism, the harbour or the jetty and is mostly paved. It takes hikers on the western shore of the Goukou River between the harbour and the jetty.
More information about the various hikes is available from Stilbaai Tourism. Tel (028) 754 2602 / www.stilbaaitourism.co.za
GIN TASTING AT INVERROCHE DISTILLERY
Visit the Inverroche Distillery, a progressive craft distillery creating uniquely South African spirits using rare hand-harvested wild African Fynbos botanicals. The distillery is a few kilometres outside town just off the R305.
Book for tastings and tours, Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 16:00
Contact them on (028) 754 2442 or visit their website (www.inverroche.co.za) for more information.
STOP AT THE MEMORIALS
Stop at the Anglo Boer War Memorial and the N2 and the Ossewa Memorial next to the R305.
The Anglo Boer War Memorial was erected in 2001, exactly a century after the most southerly battle of the Anglo Boer War took place on 12 September 1901. The Ossewa Memorial has quite an interesting history. Stop to read it!
Contact Stilbaai Tourism for more information. Tel: (028) 754 2606 / stilbaaiinfo@easycoms.co.za / www.stilbaaitourism.co.za
VISIT THE MODEL TRAIN EXHIBIT
Visit Chris Benade’s working model train lay-out in his home at 43 Bergroos Avenue. He controls the locomotives, passenger and goods trains from his computer and you will be intrigued by what you experience for a small entrance fee.
Phone Chris to arrange a visit – 082 853 0937 / (028) 154 2069 or visit www.modeltrainsonline.co.za for more information.
VISIT THE NATURE RESERVES
Stilbaai has three Nature Reserves: the Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve (GPS points); the Geelkrans Nature Reserve (GPS points) and
Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve (GPS points).
VISIT THE BIG, OLD MILKWOOD TREE
Visit South Africa’s biggest milkwood tree in the Langbos Woods. It’s trunk diameter is 10,45m; it is 14m hight and the tree-top spans 475m².
For more information about the tree and visiting arrangements, phone 072 798 3234 and visit www.stilbaaiselfcatering.co.za
STOP AT THE PALINGGAT HOMESTEAD
The Palinggat homestead, now the ‘home’ of the Archaelogical Museum and the Stilbaai Tourism Bureau, was built in 1809 and was declared a national monument in 1985. Take a walk through the museum that includes the Blombos Museum of Archaeology, feed the eels and visit the shop filled with lots of local goods, crafts and gifts.
Situated in Langenhoven Street in Stilbaai West.
Contact Stilbaai Tourism for more information. Tel: (028) 754 2606 / stilbaaiinfo@easycoms.co.za / www.stilbaaitourism.co.za
PLAY MINI GOLF (PUTT-PUTT)
Play putt-putt (mini golf) at Vemma Putt-Putt in Stilbaai East (at the Bellevue Resort) or enjoy a host of other games like table tennis, darts, electronic games. They also cater for kids parties.
Contact Wilmer (Tel: 082 554 1599) or Dante (082 578 3045) for more information.
SWIM, TAN, WATER SPORTS
Swim within the demarcated areas on the main beach (Lappiesbaai) and the other beaches where swimming is allowed. All water sports are allowed except jet-skiing. Make sure you know the rules and play safe.
VISIT TUIN-OP-DIE-BRAK
Tuin-Op-Die-Brak is situated just off Main Road East (Stilbaai East) and is a fynbos park filled with plants unique from the Hessequa region.
There are more than 240 species of fynbos that include endangered species.
Entrance is free.
More information: Tel (028) 754 1181 / mikesteytler@lantic.net or visit www.die-tuin-op-die-brak.co.za
WHALE WATCHING
The Southern Right wales return to the southern Cape coast between July and November each year to mate and calf. The wales can be seen from the beaches – or go to the Whale Lookout close to the Stilbaai harbour.
