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The South African
24-07-2025
- The South African
10 fishing villages in SA that feel unspoiled - and serve the best fish
South Africa's coastlines are dotted with fishing villages where the pace is slow, the air smells of salt, and the seafood is as fresh as it gets. While some have gone touristy, there are still places that feel authentic, lived-in, and deliciously unpolished. Here are 10 fishing villages where tradition holds strong, and the fish will blow you away… Paternoster, Western Cape. Image: canva Whitewashed cottages, empty beaches, and fishing boats still lined up on the sand, Paternoster is one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast. Locals harvest kreef (rock lobster) and snoek the way their grandparents did. Must-try: The seafood at Wolfgat , a globally acclaimed restaurant using locally foraged ingredients and the freshest daily catch. A slow coastal hamlet where fishermen mend nets by hand and limestone caves wait for explorers. Life moves at its own pace here, and yellowtail and bokkoms (dried fish) are staples. Must-try: Yellowtail braaied over open coals by local vendors. Kalk Bay, Cape Town. Image: wikimedia commons A working harbour in the city that somehow kept its old-school charm. Fishermen still haul in their catch as seals play in the water. Must-try: Fresh linefish and chips at the legendary Kalky's on the wharf. On the Wild Coast, Port St Johns is untamed, lush, and raw. Fishing is done from the shore and by small boats on the Mzimvubu River. It's wild, it's beautiful, and the seafood is pure comfort. Must-try: Kabeljou or shad fish curry, served with pap or rice. Velddrif, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons This West Coast town is all about the Berg River and its fishing culture. It's famous for bokkoms (salted, dried mullet) and a sense of place untouched by trends. Must-try: Snoek braai with apricot jam glaze. Quiet and far from the crowds, Hondeklip Bay was once a diamond-diving town but is now known for its crayfish and rustic vibe. Must-try: Crayfish tails grilled right on the braai. Snoek on the braai. Image: canva Snoek and crayfish are king here. It's a working town with tranquil bays, known for producing a large portion of South Africa's fish. Must-try: Local snoek smoked and served hot from the harbour-side braais. A laid-back surf and crayfish hotspot where time seems frozen. The rustic seaside feel and small-town hospitality keep it real. Must-try: Crayfish straight from the water, grilled and served beachside. Muisbosskerm near Lamberts Bay. Image: wikimedia commons This small town thrives on crayfish and snoek, with Bird Island adding a wildlife twist. Must-try: Open-air seafood feasts at Muisbosskerm . Once a diamond rush town, Port Nolloth remains a working crayfishing harbour. It's quiet, isolated, and unpolished. Must-try: Fresh crayfish paired with a cold beer as the sun sets. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
09-07-2025
- The South African
5 seaside towns in South Africa with seriously good seafood
South Africa's coastline isn't just about surf and scenery; it's a goldmine for seafood. From tiny fishing villages to bustling coastal cities, these five seaside towns serve up ocean-fresh dishes that put most inland restaurants to shame. No gimmicks. Just seriously good seafood. Take a look… Grilled calamari. Image: canva What to eat: Snoek & chips, grilled calamari Just 20 minutes from Cape Town, Hout Bay is a working harbour with real grit and flavour. Locals queue up for deep-fried snoek, slap chips, and takeaway calamari from fish-and-chip joints lining the harbour. Eat your seafood right on the rocks, with sweeping sea views of the Atlantic. Knysna is known for its oysters. Image: canva What to eat: Oysters Knysna isn't just pretty, it's the oyster capital of South Africa. The Knysna Oyster Festival draws crowds, but you can score fresh oysters year-round from lagoon-facing spots like 34° South. Whether raw, grilled, or soaked in Champagne, Knysna oysters are clean, plump, and impossible to forget. What to eat: Crayfish, mussels This quiet fishing village still feels untouched by time. Fishermen head out in wooden boats at dawn and come back with nets full of crayfish. Many end up on beach braais or plates at Wolfgat, arguably the most talked-about restaurant in the country. Even the humble beach shacks serve mussels so fresh they still smell like the tide. Abalone sashimi. Image: canva What to eat: Abalone (perlemoen), yellowtail Known for shark cage diving, Gansbaai also has one of the richest marine ecosystems in South Africa. It's home to several abalone farms, and some restaurants serve this rare delicacy legally and sustainably. Try it grilled or sliced thin like sashimi. Yellowtail is another highlight, best served simply, straight off the coals. What to eat: Grilled fish, seafood potjie Far from the tourist traps, Port St. Johns is raw, wild, and packed with flavour. The seafood is rustic and real, think whole fish grilled over open flames, spicy seafood potjies bubbling over fire, and prawns that taste like they came out of the ocean an hour ago. Don't expect white tablecloths, just good food and a front-row seat to the Indian Ocean. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
25-06-2025
- The South African
5 stunning Western Cape beach towns that aren't overrun
The Western Cape is packed with coastal gems, but most beach lovers flock to the usual suspects – Clifton, Camps Bay, Muizenberg – leaving a string of quieter, underrated towns just off the radar. If you're looking for salty air, soft sand, and space to breathe, here are five Western Cape beach towns that still fly under the tourist radar. Just don't tell too many people… What to expect: Whitewashed cottages, wild coastline, and a sense of stillness. Paternoster has charm without the hype. One of the oldest fishing villages on the Western Cape's West Coast, it's known for its dramatic beauty – endless stretches of white sand, rugged rock outcrops, and a deep-blue Atlantic that doesn't pretend to be warm. It's also a culinary hotspot, with restaurants like Wolfgat (one of the world's best) tucked away in this humble setting. You won't find clubs or traffic here. Just fresh crayfish, quiet nights, and the sound of waves. Sunset in Paternoster. Image: canva What to expect: Coastal trails, calm beaches, and a UNESCO biosphere on your doorstep. Kleinmond sits quietly along the Whale Coast, often overshadowed by Hermanus. But that's what makes it ideal. The beach is clean and family-friendly, the lagoon is great for kayaking, and the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens are just up the road. It's part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, so nature dominates – think baboons, fynbos, and coastal hikes without the foot traffic. Beach in Kleinmond. Image: canva What to expect: A working fishing village, surreal sea caves, and calm, blue waters. Arniston blends postcard-pretty scenes with an authentic, working-town atmosphere. The main beach in this beach town is peaceful, the tidal pools are clear, and the Waenhuiskrans sea cave is a must-see if you time it right with the tides. The adjacent Kassiesbaai fishing village, with its lime-washed houses and quiet lanes, is like stepping back in time. No noise, no chaos – just sea, salt, and sky. Pebbly beach in Arniston, Western Cape. Image: canva What to expect: Endless beach walks, West Coast serenity, and wildflowers in season. The Western Cape's Yzerfontein is only about 90 minutes from Cape Town, but it feels like a world away. The 16 Mile Beach – one of the longest uninterrupted beaches in South Africa – is perfect for walkers, birders, and anyone needing a mental reset. It's also a hotspot for kite surfing and seasonal whale watching, but the pace stays slow. Even during flower season, it never quite tips into 'tourist trap' territory. Yzerfontein beach. Image: canva What to expect: Forest meets sea, uncrowded shores, and a total digital detox. Tucked deep within the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, Nature's Valley is more of a secret forest cove than a beach town. No big shops. No nightlife. Just hiking trails, crashing surf, and a beach that rarely sees more than a handful of people at a time. It's the kind of place where your phone signal disappears and your stress goes with it. Beach in Nature's Valley. Image: wikimedia commons Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
13-06-2025
- The South African
5 coastal villages in the Western Cape with more than just a beach
The Western Cape is known for its rugged coastlines and blue-flag beaches, but some of its smaller coastal villages offer more than sand and sea. These are places where nature, culture, and character come together almost perfectly. Here are five Western Cape coastal villages that punch above their weight… While tourists mob Boulders Beach in Simon's Town for penguins, locals know that Stony Point in Betty's Bay is quieter and just as charming. This coastal village, a former whaling station, is now a haven for African penguins. Betty's Bay is also home to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, which showcases indigenous fynbos and waterfalls in a dramatic mountain setting. It's a place where coastal life meets ecological richness. Penguins in Betty's Bay. Image: canva Part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Kleinmond is more than a scenic stop. The town is surrounded by fynbos-covered mountains and estuaries rich in birdlife. The Kleinmond Art Route showcases local creatives, and the harbour area is full of small galleries and quirky shops. In season (right now!), you can spot southern right whales just offshore, sometimes from your café seat. This coastal village is where wild meets cultivated! Rocky beach in Kleinmond. Image: canva 3. Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) – History in the sandstone Arniston is a working fishing village with deep roots. The coastal village is named after a shipwreck from 1815, and its other name, Waenhuiskrans, refers to a sea cave large enough to house an ox wagon. You can explore the cave at low tide, but the real draw is the Kassiesbaai fishing village, a national heritage site. With its preserved thatched cottages and community stories, it feels like a living museum. Sandstone shelves in Arniston. Image: canva Elands Bay is a paradise for surfers and off-the-grid seekers. It's also a hotspot for history. The nearby Baboon Point caves contain ancient San rock art and archaeological evidence of early human life. Birdwatchers flock to the Verlorenvlei estuary, one of the country's largest natural wetlands. Elands Bay has a rough-edged charm – dusty roads, cold beers, and sunsets that feel like a secret. Vlei in Elands Bay. Image: canva Paternoster isn't just one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast – it's also become a culinary destination. The whitewashed cottages and wild Atlantic waves in this coastal village set the scene, but it's the food that steals the show. Chef Kobus van der Merwe's restaurant Wolfgat, internationally acclaimed for its hyper-local, foraged cuisine, put Paternoster on the global map. The nearby Columbine Nature Reserve and Cape Columbine Lighthouse also offer hiking and photography opportunities far from the typical beach crowd. Paternoster, Western Cape. Image: canva Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
26-05-2025
- The South African
5 remote beach towns in South Africa worth the drive
South Africa's coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres, and while places like Cape Town and Durban grab the spotlight, it's the quiet, tucked-away beach towns that offer real escape. If you're ready to trade crowds for solitude and chain restaurants for local fish shacks, these five remote beach towns are worth every minute behind the wheel… Why go: Kosi Bay isn't just remote – it's wild. Think mangrove estuaries, ancient fish traps, and untouched sandbanks that stretch to Mozambique. What to do: Snorkel in the estuary, explore by canoe, or go turtle tracking under the stars. It's a nature-lover's dream. Getting there: A long haul from Durban (about six hours), but the payoff is pristine isolation. Why go: White-washed fishermen's cottages, windswept beaches, and a raw Atlantic backdrop. Paternoster feels frozen in time. What to do: Stroll barefoot along the shell-strewn beach, kayak with dolphins, or book a table at Wolfgat , one of the world's best restaurants hiding in plain sight. Getting there: About two hours north of Cape Town on the R27, it's an easy drive with zero city stress. Paternoster beach. Image: wikimedia commons. Why go: No signal. No traffic. Just rolling hills, empty waves, and the kind of peace that resets your brain. What to do: Surf, hike, or just lie back and watch Nguni cattle wander down the beach. This beach town is off the grid, both literally and spiritually. Getting there: A five-hour drive from East London with a 4×4 stretch at the end. Getting there is part of the adventure. Why go: Tucked at the mouth of the Breede River where it meets the Indian Ocean, South Africa's Cape Infanta is quiet, rugged, and seriously underrated. What to do: Go fishing off the rocks, swim in the estuary, or just watch the sun melt into the ocean. It's sleepy in the best possible way. Getting there: Around fours hours from Cape Town, the last stretch is gravel – adding to the sense that you're going somewhere secret. Cape Infanta, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons. Why go: If Mars had a beach, it would look like this! Stark. Isolated. Strangely beautiful. It's a beach town that time skipped. What to do: Explore shipwrecks, visit the unique 'Aristea' ruins, and stare into the night sky – it's some of the clearest stargazing in the country. Getting there: A mission from Cape Town (about six–seven hours), but if you're chasing solitude, Hondeklip delivers. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
