Still Bay – also known as Stilbaai and the bay of the sleeping beauty (after one of the peaks in the nearby Langeberg Mountains that resembles a sleeping woman) is an enchanting seaside village. It’s situated along the banks of the Goukou River estuary, where it meets the Indian Ocean on the Southern Cape coast.

Part of the Garden Route and just 275km from Cape Town, the town lies 26km from the turnoff from the N2 highway, between Riversdale and Mossel Bay. The nearest airport is in George, which is about an hour-and-a-half’s drive away. With about 4000 permanent residents, the two villages of Jongensfontein (10km away) and Melkhoutfontein (7km away) also fall within its boundary.

When to Go
Due to its temperate climate, with temperatures that rarely fall lower than 10°C in winter or rise above 28°C in summer, Still Bay can be visited year round. September to April is best for beach and outdoor activities, but you want to avoid the crowds you should avoid the Easter break (March/April) or December holidays, as these are busy times in the little town. If you’re after whale sightings, it’s best to go during the breeding/calving season between late July and December, when these gentle giants come excitingly close to shore. This is also the time when the aloes and fynbos bloom.

Climate
Still Bay is blessed with a temperate climate and the fresh unpolluted air is due to a gentle breeze blowing from the warm Indian Ocean. This is a low rainfall area and although there is no specific rainy season, precipitation peaks during autumn and spring. Temperatures fluctuate between 20 °C and 28 ºC on average in summer and between 12º C and 20º C on average in winter. February is the warmest month of the year and July is the coolest.

Flora
Still Bay is on the flower route and offers a spectacularly colourful floral display in spring (August, September, and October) when the indigenous fynbos and aloes plants begin to bloom. There are three nature reserves in the vicinity, where you will find an abundance of flora. There are 33 species of fynbos that are endemic to this region, including edible and medicinal plants. Archaeological discoveries in this area have led scientists to suggest that that these plants probably played a crucial role in the survival of humankind during times of drastic climate change.

Fauna
Still Bay is one of six marine protected areas managed by the CapeNature on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs. The department aims to rebuild over-exploited marine life, particularly reef and line fish, although fishing is still allowed in designated areas. The Goukou River is the first estuary in the Western Cape to be included in a marine protected area.

With an array of coastal habitats including estuarine reeds, salt marshes, coastal fynbos, reefs, rocky shore, dunes and sandy beach, Still Bay is a biodiverse area. The estuary has a rich marine life and a large variety of bird life is attracted to the abundant indigenous flora and fauna in the area.
The sheltered bays and placid waters of Still Bay and right up the east coast of South Africa make this an ideal area for Southern Right whales to enter and bear their calves and nurse their young. After migrating from Antarctica, these gentle giants can sometimes be seen just metres from the shore, making this a fantastic whale watching area – particularly between the months of June and November. Humpback whales also favour the region and can be spotted between May and December months.

THINGS TO SEE:

Blombos Museum of Archaeology
Located in the historic de Jagerhuis-opstal, Palinggat, this is a small specialised museum which shows the fascinating stone-age history of the area, more particularly, the artefacts discovered in the Blombos cave and subsequent work undertaken by Professor Chris Henshilwood and other scientists. The most significant find in the Blombos cave was a small piece of ochre thought to be the world’s oldest example of art.
Dated at 75 000 years ago, the criss-cross pattern was drawn intentionally by a human hand. Hailed as an example of modern abstract/symbolic thought, the famous engraved ochre along with other finds in the cave - beads made from shells and thought to belong to the world’s oldest necklace, sophisticated bone tools and weapons and a 100 000 year old paint workshop. It all shows that the people who occupied the cave had taken important steps towards modern behaviour.
These archaeological finds strongly support the theory that while the rest of the world was rendered virtually uninhabitable by extreme cold (Ice Age), humankind survived in this vicinity due to the abundant shell fish and edible fynbos that was available here on the Southern Cape coast.

Ancient San rock paintings: A rock art gallery has been recently added to the museum. The exhibit features beautiful paintings of animals and human figures by the hunter-gatherer San people thousands of years ago, and the more recent Khoi herders and farmers who inhabited the area 300 to 400 years ago.
The museum is well worth a visit and has been acclaimed as a ‘world class asset’ by local and international visitors.
Open: Monday-Friday: 8.30-17.00, Saturdays & Public holidays: 8.30-12.00; December Sundays: 8.30-12.00
+27 28 754 3247

Jagersbosch Waenhuis
If you are in the Still Bay area on the first Saturday of the month, do not miss the arts and crafts festival held at the old Wagon shed. You can expect to find all the usual home crafts, as well as fine, original art and a wonderful array of fresh wild flowers.

Die Tuin op Die Brak (The Garden on the Brack)
This park is a micro botanical representation of the local flora of the area, with displays of more than 240 species of fynbos. There is also a scientifically correct sundial, various water features and an education centre and kiosk. The park is specifically designed to provide a multi-sensory experience and has been designed to be wheelchair-accessible with broad, level paths. The ‘Touch and Smell’ section of the park has been designed specifically to draw in visitors who are visually impaired. Here you will find strongly-scented plants with a guide rail and labels in braille, with a path that leads to a waterfall with special resonating chambers designed to amplify the peaceful sound of the falling water. The park is permanently open and from 8.00am to 4.00pm, a member of staff is usually available to answer questions.
The park is situated in Still Bay east, parallel to the main road that runs along the Goukou River.
Permanently open and entrance is free – members of staff are on site from 8.00am to 4.00pm to answer questions.
+27 28 754 2087 or +27 72 717 7895

Inverroche Distillery
Just outside Still Bay, Inverroche Distillery is an outing not to be missed. Founded in 2011 by Lorna Scott, the distillery creates a unique range of gins that are infused with fynbos botanicals from the area, making for a spirit of unique complexity and taste. The recipes took three years to perfect and already Lorna sells the gin in 13 countries, mainly through word of mouth. Packed in unusual, elegant French glass bottles, they are distilled in small vintage batches of 250 bottles.
Open Monday – Friday 10:00 – 18:00 / Saturday & Sundays 10:00 – 16:00
Distillery +27 28 754 2442 or +27 72 447 4211

Ancient Fish Traps
Visitors to Still Bay can also view the ancient, but still working, fish traps. These circular stone structures were created by the Khoekhoe inhabitants hundreds of years ago to catch fish trapped at low tide and some are still maintained and used today.

Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve
This relatively small (343ha) nature reserve has been described by the Chief Director of SANParks as a ‘botanically significant area’ and is home to the highest number and variety of rare and endangered endemic Limestone Fynbos species. Besides providing the habitat for some of the world’s rarest flora, marvellous hikes can be had here, offering breath-taking views of the Langeberg Mountains, Still Bay west and the coastline and the Goukou estuary marshes.
+27 28 754-1106

Geelkrans Nature Reserve
This reserve is named for the weathered yellow sand cliffs that rise next to the ocean. A fairly easy 8km circular trail runs though the indigenous dune fynbos for 4km, then turns down along the coastline and back to the starting point. The walk takes about three hours and visitors are allowed to snorkel and swim along the way. Self-issue permits are available at the gate.
+27 28 713 2366

Tame Palinggat eels
Come at feeding time – 11.00am Monday to Saturday and public holidays.
A visit to the Still Bay Tourism Bureau in the Palinggat Homestead (a national monument) will give you the opportunity of viewing the only tame eels in South Africa. These indigenous fresh-water eels have lived in a pond that is filled by a natural fountain adjacent to the building for generations. They are cherished and hand-fed daily by the staff at the Tourism Bureau and are incredibly tame.
+27 28 754 2602

THINGS TO DO:

Tidal Tracks Adventures
Tidal Tracks Adventures accommodates its guests with an interesting variety of activities and day trips, all led by qualified guides. Tours include: fynbos and/or rocky shore excursions and slide shows, kayak trips on the Goukou River, bird watching, fishing charters, snorkelling and day and/or sleepover trips to the de Hoop Nature Reserve, and Jongensfontein.
+27 83 454 6945

Bentley Luxury Cruise
Cruise on the Goukou estuarine (tidal) river for two-and-a-half hours, stopping for a swim and a snack along the way. The river now forms part of a marine reserve and teems with life including many fish species, estuarine organisms and sea and water birds.
+27 28 754-1003 or +27 83 357-5298

Lappiesbaai beach
During the December/January holiday season this beach has Blue Flag status with lifeguards on duty. Laze on the soft white sand, swim in the calm, warm ocean, or take part in a huge variety of water activities on offer.

Hessequa Art Route
More than 30 artists participate in this popular art route in Still Bay, including painters, furniture makers, bags, cushions, leather products, stoneware, basket-ware, jewellery and ceramics. Each artist exhibits their work from their home studio and viewings are available by appointment.
Cottage Gallery + 27 28 754 2694 or +27 76 834 3213

Hiking Trails
There are some marvellous walks in the area including:
• West Riverbank Trail – Easy walk of 2km each way on paved and mainly level following the western shore of the Goukou River.
• Lappiesbaai Beach Route: This walk is easy to tackle at low tide and great for whale watching in season.
• Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve – between 2km and 6km, these reasonably strenuous hikes follow the contours of the dunes and criss-cross the whole reserve.
• Southern Right Trail: Coastal trail of about 11km starting at Morris Point in Still Bay and ending at the caravan park in Jongensfontein. There are beautiful rock pools to swim in along the way.
• Noordkapper Hiking trail: Follows the coastline to Jongensfontein (10km away), home to the fascinating descendants of the original fishermen of the area.
• Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve: Choose from several different trails of various lengths, mostly on fairly level ground, taking anything from one hour to a whole day.
• Geelkrans Nature Reserve: The three-hour, 8km looped trail runs through the indigenous dunes fynbos and then along the coastline back to the start.

PLACES TO EAT
Anchor Restaurant +27 28 754-2002
Botterkloof Resort +27 28 754-2388
Die Lapskuit +27 76 053-5637
El Suenos (Tel +27 28 754-1136 or +27 72 122-2943
Hanlie’s Bistro +27 72 746-1943
Karibu Pub & Lounge +27 84 553-7315
Kleinbergskloof Restaurant +27 28 754-3181
Lappiesbaai Restaurant +27 28 754-2748
Nardos Pizza +27 28 754-1232
On the Rocks Steakhouse & Seafood +27 28 754-2367
Paradiso Country Kitchen +27 82 864-0711
The Press Room +27 82 961-3380
Unofficial: Secret Garden +27 76 555-469
Viking Fishing Anchor Restaurant +27 28 754-2002
WhiteWash +27 28 754-1412

PLACES TO STAY
A Farm Story Country House Kassie & Liesel Kasselman +27 82 372-6418
Alikreukel Still Bay B&B +27 28 754-1510
Bosbokduin B&B +27 28 754-1316
Bush Coastal Farm Cottage +27 72 444-8306
Cazablues Guest Farm +27 82 572-4755
Ellinsrust Caravan Park – walking distance to the beach +27 28 713-7848/50
Hibiscus House B&B +27 28 754-1181
Julie se Baai camping site +27 82 431-6462
Myrtle’s Retreat +27 28 754-2602
Preekstoel Caravan Park +27 28 713-7849
See-Struis +27 84 581-4545 or +27 82 870-8565 or +27 82 571-2884
The Anchorage Guesthouse +27 28 754-3730
Wild Olive Farm +27 28 754-2719
Wild Rescue – Klipfontein Nature Reserve +27 28 754-1663 or +27 78 875-5776 or +27 72 922-6742