Arniston

Arniston is a seaside fishing village on the Cape Agulhas coast that is still centred around the local fishing traditions of the 1800’s. The Kassiesbaai fishing village, a national heritage site, is a photographer’s dream.

Arniston is a peaceful, relaxing holiday destination away from the busy city life where the natural assets of azure sea, pristine beaches, walks and birding can be soaked up.

Arniston’s coastline has dramatic rock formations caused by sea erosion, including a huge cave that is reputedly big enough to house  a wagon with a full span of oxen. It is this natural wonder that gave Arniston its other name “Waenhuiskrans” which means “wagon house cliff” in Afrikaans. At low tide, take the 1.5 km walk along the beach to this massive limestone cave. Part of the walk is through some lovely tidal pools, so take shoes that’ll protect you from barnacles!

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Fishermen still consider Arniston a top fishing spot. The fishermen in the village can point you in the right direction for bait. The favourite spots are Preekstoel, Otterbaai, Rondeklippies, Struispunt, Die Solder and Aasbank. For Information on where and when to fish and which bait to use, visit GoFishing. Snorkeling in the clear rock pools, diving among the many ocean wrecks or body boarding completes the water activities.

Walk to Struispunt, Galjoengat and for the moderately fit, the walk from De Mond to Arniston is well worth the effort. Mountain biking in the countryside is also popular.

Arniston Bay offers some of the world’s best whale watching during the months of September to November when the whales come to the secluded bay to calve and mate. Arniston is also flanked by two nature reserves – the De Hoop and De Mond Nature Reserves. Both reserves offer excellent bird watching and in season whale watching.