The Strand originated as a Fishing and Holiday Resort. This vacation spot is mostly known for it’s 5km stretch of white sandy beach. During vacations, tourists from inland and all over the world flock to this area which has made tourism the main source of income for this area since the 1950’s.
The main beach, Melkbaai Beach, is known to as one of the best and safest bathing areas in the country. Beachfront entertainment includes Dune Park with Water Slides, mini golf and a Surf School. Harmony Park which borders Greenways boasts with the most elaborate tidal pool imaginable.
Surfing is part of the local relaxed culture and my locals surf early morning before their day starts. There are various well known surf spots along the Strand breach including AECI, Blinkklip, Pipe, Duckies, Reef, Silkies, Die Poort and Greenways.
The Strand also boasts with an Indoor Centrally Heated Olympic size pool which is open all year round. Various swimming teams and clubs use these facilities as their training area.
Mostert’s Bay on the eastern side of the Pavillion is a well known “dog friendly” beach as well as a favourite fishing beach.
The Strand is also home to various sports facilities including the Strand Golf Club.
Where to stay in Strand
Accommodation in Strand includes self catering apartments with magnificent ocean views and beach-front hotels. Accommodation options available include luxury hotels, back packers lodges, self catering accommodation, bed & breakfast accommodation, and guest houses.
Visit our Accommodation Page..
Where to eat in Strand
No matter what your taste, Strand will have a restaurant to suit you, from Fine Dining to Italian, Indian, Seafood, Steak Ranches, takeaways and more. Most of the restaurants can be found along Beach Road.
Visit our Restaurant Guide..
Night Life in Strand
If you are looking for something to do at night, no need to travel very far. Strand has various establishments offering live entertainment, DJ’s and big screen TV’s for those all-important sports games.
Visit our Events & Entertainment calendar
Things to do in Strand
(Click on the link for more information)
Bird WatchingThe Helderberg is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots and is home to a remarkable variety of bird spices. The Helderberg is a fantastic destination for enthusiastic birders. The Helderberg area has a wide diversity of birding habitats including the unique Fynbos, and wetlands. Popular birds include Lesser collared Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Spotted Eagle Owl, Yellow Billed Duck and boasts with 6 unique Bird Watching Spots. Read more… |
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Lwandle Migrant Labour MuseumAt the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, you can learn more about the migrant labour system that shaped many of the social problems South Africa has today. Walk through an original hostel and see the conditions for yourself. Spend time with members of the community and hear their real stories first-hand. While you’re here, enjoy a walk around Lwandle township and meet some of the locals along the way. The township walk starts from the museum and includes visiting the Hector Pieterson Library, the famous Hostel 33, the Town Square, a tavern, shops, and homes as well as the arts and crafts centre. Read more… |
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WaterworldJust when you thought that summer couldn’t get any better, Waterworld brings you a day of slippery, slidey family fun! Waterworld Strand is a Waterslide and Fun Park for the whole family, with various rides and facilities to make a day at the beach a day to remember. The park provides ample grass and picnic spots and is the perfect venue for a party or even a school outing. The park is located on Strand Beach by the Life Guard station. Read more… |
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BeachStrand Beach is an ideal beach set at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains on the Eastern Edge of False Bay. The Strands beautiful white sand stretches along 5 kilometers and makes this a fantastic place for that romantic stroll or that jog on the beach you have been meaning to go on! |
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Rent a surfboardSon Surf School Strand was established in August 2003 and since then their reputation and experience is unsurpassed in the area – bringing the joy of surfing to countless men and women of all ages. Their premises is inside the Water World on Strand Beach Road, ensuring close proximity to the beach and main surfing area. It is a safe, enclosed area offering a cafe, toilets and showers. Read more… |
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More things to do in and around Helderberg
Type of Activity |
Activity & Area |
| Sport/Adrenalin | ✓Strand/Somerset West – Play a round of Golf at Strand Golf Club, Somerset West, or Erinvale Golf Course ✓ Gordons Bay – Surf at Bikini Beach or Koeel Bay ✓ Gordons Bay – Go Deep Sea Fishing ✓ Gordons Bay – Hike the Danie Miller Hiking Trail up to the GB sign ✓ Gordons Bay – Rent a bicycle & cycle around our Village ✓ Gordons Bay – Go Scuba Diving ✓ Kogel Bay – Hike up to Crystal Pools (permits required) ✓ Sir Lowry’s Pass – Go Horse Riding at Journey’s End ✓ Somerset West – Go Hiking at the Helderberg Nature Reserve (Check our Events & Entertainment Page for Guided Hikes) ✓ Sir Lowry’s Pass – Paraglide from Sir Lowry’s Pass Lookout Point (seasonal) ✓ Sir Lowry’s Pass – Spend the day at Blue Rock where you can Cable Water Ski, Wake Board, Fufi Slide, Play Paint Ball, swim in the Badi or have a picnic ✓ Somerset West – Hit a couple of balls at the Vodacom Golf Driving range ✓ Somerset West – Mountain Biking at Schapenberg located at Ongegund Lodge ✓ Somerset West – Spend the day at Helderberg Farm where you can Mountain Bike, Hike one of their Trails, try the 4×4 Route, play Laser Games or go Gravel Carting ✓ Somerset West – Play Paintball at Helderberg Farm ✓ Grabouw – Go on a quad biking adventure ✓ Grabouw/Stellenbosch – Go on a Segway Adventure ✓ Strand – Rent a surfboard from Son Surf School at Strand Beach & learn to Surf ✓ Gansbaai – Go Shark Cage Diving ✓ Betty’s Bay – Go Sand Boarding |
| Sight Seeing/Other | ✓ Gordons Bay – Browse for some reading at Bikini Beach Books ✓ Gordons Bay/Strand/Somerset West – Treat yourself at one of our Spa’s ✓ Gordons Bay – Visit an Art Exhibitions by our local artists – exhibitions take place the last weekend of every month. Visit our Events & Entertainment Page for info. ✓ Gordons Bay – Take a scenic drive up to the Steenbras Water Treatment Plant ✓ Somerset West/Sir Lowrys Pass – Tour the Helderberg Wine Route ✓ Lwandle – Visit the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum ✓ Somerset West/Strand – Visit our famous Bird Watching spots ✓ Somerset West – Go shopping at Somerset Mall ✓ Somerset West/Gordons Bay – Visit one of our local Craft Markets ✓ Gordons Bay – Take a scenic drive along Clarence Drive to Hermanus ✓ Betty’s Bay – Visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens ✓ Hermanus – Go Whale Watching (seasonal) ✓ Western Cape – Do the Brandy Route |
| Family Activities |
✓ Gordons Bay – Spend the day at one of our beaches |
About Strand on Youtube
The Strand, 1916
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