Romance Along the Gansbaai Coast

Couples tend to like Gansbaai for what it lacks: crowds, noise and a packed timetable. The pace is set by whales, wind and the opening hours of a few small places. All prices here are in South African rand (R).

One Day, Built for Two

Morning, on the cliffs. Walk the De Kelders cliff path, which is free. From roughly June to November, southern right whales come close to the rocks. Bring binoculars and a flask, and be patient.

Or a morning among the flowers. The Grootbos Botanical Art Gallery Tour costs R300 per person and lasts two hours, from 10:00 to 12:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It is indoors, which suits a wet day. The Florilegium Half Day Tour is the longer choice at R1,950 per person for international guests and R1,250 for South African residents. It takes about 4.5 hours, Wednesday to Sunday, and ends with a light high tea. Book ahead, as groups are capped at 10 and guests must be 12 or older.

Midday, over a long lunch. Lomond Wine Estate stands on Avoca Road, about 8 km from town. Its tasting room looks over a dam and is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00, except on 25 December and 1 January. Platters come with Stonehouse cheese, cured meats and trout from the dam. The estate can quote tasting and platter prices.

Afternoon, beneath old trees. Platbos Forest is open from 08:00 to 17:00 at R50 per adult, and its operator says some trees are more than 1,000 years old.

Evening, wherever you are staying. The tasting room shuts early, so dinner is a separate plan, and driving after dark is best avoided.

Where to Sleep

  • Grootbos Garden Lodge and Forest Lodge. Two luxury lodges inside the reserve beside the R43. Rates come as packages, so ask the lodge for a quote. Horse riding is something lodge guests can do, and it is not part of the public tours.
  • Platbos Forest suites. Off-grid tented suites for two, named Honey Bee Suite and Bush Buck Suite, plus the Old Olive Cabin with a hot tub. Reserve through Nightsbridge.
  • Whale Cove, De Kelders. Self-catering apartments rather than a hotel. Some have balconies with whale views between June and November, and prices vary by unit.

Sea Safety

Water along this coast is cold and strong currents cause drownings. For a paddle together, Stanford’s Cove in De Kelders is sheltered, and it has a lawn, toilets and outdoor showers.

Read more: a long weekend plan around Gansbaai , or sightseeing stops for daytime outings.

Look for rooms on Booking.com , and read the Lomond estate site , the Platbos site and the Grootbos tours page .