Hondeklip Bay

About 180kms south of Port Nolloth, the little town of Hondeklip Bay beckons the ‘solitary’ rock fisherman.

From the rocks to the north and south of the bay, galjoen is the most popular catch. Platklippunt, a rocky outcrop about one and a half kilometres south of the bay, is the most well known spot for galjoen. The shallow surf in the bays around Hondeklip can produce kob, shad (elf) and garrick (leervis) during summer and West Coast steenbras during winter. You can also collect your own crayfish, but you need to obtain a permit in Springbok.

This little town is part of the Northern Cape coast Diamond Route, and is sandwiched between the diamond mining concessions belonging to De Beers and Trans Hex.

Why fish here? It’s  starkly pretty – characterised by quaint houses and fishing boats, and you won’t be crowded off the rocks. It’s typically Diamond Coast – windswept, wild, a bit rundown, and features a shipwreck. Wild flowers and dune scenery soften the effects of a dying fishing and mining industry, and add to a paradoxically poor but quintessentially South African scene. Travelling to Hondeklip Bay also involves a drive through the Namaqualand National Park.

Getting there: Although there is a road from Kleinsee to Hondeklip Bay, it passes through a restricted mining area. Take the road from Springbok via Koingnaas, which takes you through the National Park. No permit is required for Hondeklip Bay.