An unspoiled coastline, stunning sea views, and sparkling surf make St Helena Bay a very special all-year destination, especially for outdoor and nature lovers.
Located on the West Coast Way Foodie Route
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.St Helena Bay is located on the West Coast Way Foodie Route. The actual bay of St Helena stretches from Dwarskersbos in the north, past Shelley Point peninsula, to Cape St Martin in the west, traversing a total of 18 bays with intriguing names such as Hannasbaai and Vioolbaai, each with its own unique attractions.
Yachtsmen, canoeists, and surfers love the waters here and, being at the southernmost point of the migratory route from Europe and the Steppes of Russia, the area is also a birder’s paradise.
Fed by the nutrient-rich Benguela Current, St Helena Bay is one of the world’s prime fishing areas and its waters provide a valuable livelihood to many locals as well as an abundance of food for the dolphins and Southern Right Whales which enjoy the calm waters.
Looking over St. Helena Bay lies one of the few untouched areas in the heart of the South African West Coast, Cape St Martin Private Nature reserve. It is situated in such a way that it is the only place on the West Coast where you can watch the sun rise over the sea and when the sun sets, it feels as if you become one with nature.
Travel tip:
Shelley Point is a tiny, unspoiled peninsula that almost gives it the illusion of being an island surrounded by sea.
It lies in the calm waters of Shelley Bay which makes it ideal for sailing and fishing, and also provides shallow, safe water for children to splash about in.
There is also a golf estate offering a 9-hole golf course and a spa in the Wellness Centre, but other than that, this is truly the place to get away from it all as Shelley Point has few facilities other than the odd ATM and shop providing basic necessities.
This is the place to really unwind and relax and time is better spent taking scenic walks along the pristine beach, collecting mussels or just enjoying the sheer pleasure of the unspoiled natural beauty.
Find St Helena Bay on the West Coast Way Foodie Route.
Where To Stay
Shelley Point Hotel and Spa
Shelley Point Hotel and Spa allows guests to choose from elegantly decorated suites with an emphasis on comfort and privacy. All accommodation includes buffet breakfast and children under six years stay for free. And all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with fresh fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers. Among the accommodation are 31 luxury suites, three of them disabled-friendly, two honeymoon suites and 48 duplexes for four guests in each.
Contact: +27 (0) 22 742 1065 or email [email protected] shelleypointhotel.com
Distance from Cape Town: 149km
Where: R27
Coordinates: 32° 45’ 29” S 18° 1’ 40” E
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.FOODIE