Strand is the Afrikaans word for beach. This seaside resort is in False Bay, at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Often called ‘Die Strand’ or ‘The Strand’ - There are 5 kilometres of white sandy beaches with views of the Cape Peninsula. Beach Road (along the coast) is lined with high-rise apartment and holiday apartment buildings. There are also several smaller Art déco buildings in amongst the high rises.
CLIMATE
Cape Town has a Mediterranean-style climate with cool, wet winters, and warm, dry summers. The average summer temperatures are 24ºC with January and February averaging 26ºC.
Cape Town’s climate is a collection of micro-climates of which the Helderberg region has more than one. Apart from air pressure, wind and temperatures, the cold current, mountains, and built-environment are additional factors that influence the local weather. Check with the forecasts for the daily weather.
The front view of Table Mountain is famous for its tablecloth, the south-east wind blows cool air off the sea which is forced up over the mountain, this air condenses into clouds which ‘spill’ over the front. The tablecloth is a good indicator that the southeaster (the prevailing summer wind) is blowing and that the beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard are a better bet than those in False Bay.
WHEN TO GO
For beach and sightseeing holidays the summer months are best from October to April, however, in both April and October the weather is variable and unpredictable. Winters are mild with temperatures in the range of 8ºC and 17ºC but winter is the rainy season. There is something to be said for a warm fireside, sipping the Cape’s award-winning red wines, while the wind and rain rage outside. Winter is also whale-watching season. December/January is the time most South Africans take their annual holiday and the summer break for school children, so booking is often essential.
FAUNA AND FLORA
The transition between mountain and flatter land, clearly marks the change in vegetation. There are patches of Afromontane forest in the kloofs of the mountains, on the higher and lower slopes, the fynbos is characterised by large protea bushes and as the land gets flatter so does the vegetation with Strandveld fynbos growing on the ‘Flats’ to the west. There are literally hundreds of flowering species.
Fynbos comprises four major plant groups:
● Proteas: large shrubs with broad leaves
● Ericas: heath-like, low-growing shrubs
● Restios: reed-like plants; are the only group that are found in all fynbos habitats
● Geophytes: bulbs; these include watsonias and disas both of which occur mainly in wetland areas and are prominent after fires.
Fynbos is fire dependent and needs to burn around every 15 years to stimulate new growth and ensure that plant and animal communities remain healthy. If it does not burn in about 20 to 30 years it stops producing seeds which could cause the extinction of some species. If fire is too frequent due to human intervention seed banks are depleted which can change the diversity of plant species in the area.
There are nearly always flowers to be seen. Ask the Fynbos Guy what is currently flowering on the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg Mountains.
The Helderberg region is mostly built up or is covered with wine farms so large mammals are no longer abundant in these regions. Small antelope such as klipspringer, steenbok and Cape Mountain Zebras have been reintroduced into the bigger reserves. There are small interesting and often endemic animals such as mongoose, otters, tortoises, snakes, lizards, frogs and toads which can be observed especially in the nature reserves. It is trendy for large private landowners to form conservancies and or private reserves on their farms.
Reptiles
Look out for the bright blue-headed Southern Rock Agama, the prehistoric looking Black Girdled Lizard and the Cape Skink.
There are some interesting endemic and endangered Amphibians, look out for the Cape Chirping Frog, Cape River Frog, the endangered and the tiny Arum Lily Frog.
Two species of tortoises are common, the Angulate Tortoise and the Parrot-beaked Tortoise.
There are 22 snake species, ten of which are non-venomous, although they can still deliver a nasty bite if provoked. Some of the venomous species include the Cape Cobra, the Puff Adder, Boomslang, Rinkhals and Berg Adder. The good news is it they are mostly shy and will avoid human contact. The one you are most likely to encounter is the Puff Adder which enjoys nice warm spots, such as rocks and pathways (best to keep out of its way).
Insects
Insects play an integral role in the fynbos ecosystem either by directly pollinating plants or as a vital source of nutrient for birds and animals. Some are especially adapted to pollinate specific plants. Look out for butterflies such as the Mountain Pride Butterfly that is the exclusive pollinator of a variety of red plants such as the red disa, and the red crassula.
Birds
The many niches and habitats that exist (ocean, shoreline, cliff-face, rocky highland, fynbos, forest and suburbia) contributes to a large species count, as does the geographical positioning at a continent's corner, many vagrants and seasonal visitors can be spotted.
For a full bird list or birding checkllist see the SANparks website or for further information on birding in the Cape, contact: The Cape Bird Club on +27 21 559 0726 or www.capebirdclub.org
THINGS TO DO AND SEE:
Harmony Flats Nature Reserve
Harmony Flats Nature Reserve is a tiny reserve between Strand and Gordon's Bay. It protects a surviving fragment of critically endangered ‘Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos’ vegetation. The rare Geometric Tortoise was the original reason for the reserve, however, the tortoise is now locally extinct. The reserve still protects about 220 species of plant and a range of animal species, such as the tiny Parrot-beaked tortoise, various snakes and a large variety of birds.
11th Avenue, Strand
+27 21 856 4975
Strand Golf Club
Strand Golf Club is one of the newest in the Cape, it was opened in 1994 and after planting over 2000 trees, it has developed into a very nice established course and a popular club in the Cape. The course has 11 water hazards, undulating greens and tree-lined fairways. The facilities include a driving range with chipping and putting greens, pro shop, a halfway house, upstairs lounge and a terrace bar with beautiful views over the course and the Helderberg Mountains.
Beaches:
- Melkbaai
Melkbaai is the best swimming beach, the water is shallow for a long way out. There are lifeguards on duty in the demarcated areas in season. Melkbaai is also a launch site for Hobie Cats sailors, surfski paddlers and the main spot for surfing, the Pipe (marked off for surfers) is known for its big surfable waves.
- Mostertsbaai
Mostertsbaai is a rocky shoreline with interesting pools and gullies. Popular with anglers and dog-walkers. Behind the Dunes is Dune Park which as landscaped lawns, waterslides, and putt-putt (mini golf).
Strand has a wide variety water sports like surfing, sailing, powerboating, paddle skiing and board sailing. There are surf schools which offer, board hire and lessons for surfing and Stand-up Paddle Boarding (SUP).
The coast between the Lourens River mouth and up to Rooi Els is popular with beach anglers and rock anglers.
Strand Indoor Swimming Pool
Strand Indoor Swimming Pool is an olympic-sized indoor pool which is centrally heated and is open all year round. Facilities include the main pool and a children's pool with ablution facilities and showers.
Open 07am – 7pm
Beach Road, Strand
+27 21 850 4170
Voortrekker Park Resort
Voortrekker Park Resort offers chalet accommodation, camping and caravan sites. It is close to the beach and there is direct pedestrian access leading to the beach. Entrance in Hofmeyer Road, Strand
+27 21 850 4169 or +27 21 854 4080
- Acres of exceptional beach landscape
- Scenic drives and brilliant photography opportunities around the Hottentot-Holland Mountains
- Strand Golf Club
- Harmony Flats Nature Reserve
- Aeternitas Wines
- Somerset Mall
- Strand Waterworld
- Farmers Market
Strand was originally developed as a holiday and fishing resort in 1714.
In 1970 the Apartheid government forcefully removed all black, coloured and Asian people. Now that the laws have been abolished, the area is open to everyone to take up urban residence.
It is still a popular holiday destination for a lot of South Africans.
