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Area Attractions

Kleinmond forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and the Kleinmond coastline is exceptional in its range of coastal habitats and marine flora and fauna mostly due to the con­trasting influences of the warm Agulhas and cold Benguela currents, which drive productivity and biodiversity along the coast. Be rejuvenated by the clean unpolluted healthy sea air often described as "champaigne air" with "an extra molecule of oxygen"!

Sandy beaches, rocky reefs, rivers and estuaries abound to provide hours of exploring and relaxing. Kleinmond boasts two sandy beaches. Sandown beach – or Kleinmond main beach – is a short 300 meter stroll away from your accommodation and was rewarded with Blue Flag status since 2011. It provides safe swimming with lifeguards on duty for most of the year. Also on the main beach are a shallow lagoon popular with kids and a restaurant with open deck – perfect for sundowners. Next to the lagoon is a picnic area under the milkwood trees with kiddies playpark and small boats for hire to paddle around on the lagoon or view the feral horses resident at the Kleinmond marshes. Surfing is often good at the point.

Kleinmond's blue flag beach at sunset
Orange-breasted sunbird at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens in Betty's Bay

Kelp forests and large intertidal rock pools (40 meters from Die Rotse Host House & Self-catering) provide food and safety for fish and other marine animals – a natural and safe "swimming pool" where kids can learn about the sea and the beautiful eco-system of living sea organisms. This is where the "1st fish you catch, catches you" applies.

The coastline offers rock and surf angling, snorkel diving, kayak fish­ing, spear fishing and catch­ing West Coast Lobster (crayfish) subject to local fishing regu­lations. Permits can be obtained from the local post office. The area also offers various safe slipway's and harbours for easy access to the ocean by small boat.

Whale breaching in Walker Bay
Fishing from the rocks

Kleinmond is part of the Cape Whale Coast – the playground and breeding zone of the ocean giants, namely the Southern Right Whales, which you can observe close-up from many vantage points, including your balcony or patio at Die Rotse Host House & Self-catering during the months of June to November. Sightings vary between tell-tale "blows" of mist, to courtship displays and spectacular breaching whales. Dolphins can be seen surfing the waves throughout the year.

Nearby Betty's Bay is home to one of only three mainland breeding colonies of African Penguins in South Africa at Stony Point, also the site of an old whaling station of which today only the ruins may be seen. The site has been declared a Nature Reserve and visitors are urged to keep to the convenient wooden boardwalk when observing penguins, Cape Cormorant, the rare African Black Oystercatcher and other sea birds in their natural habitat.

African penguin, formerly known as the Jackass penguin, at their Stony Point breeding colony
Black oystercatcher

Visit the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden in Betty's Bay to discover thousands of plant species found nowhere else on earth. The garden encompasses mountain slopes with wind-clipped heathlands, deep gorges with indigenous forests, marches, wetlands vibrant with restios and seasonal bulbs and even includes a dunescape with specialised salt-adapted plants. The expansive garden is ideal for hiking in the nearly 200 hectare natural estate and caters to the whole family – enjoy leisurely strolls and picnics at the waterfalls, amber pools and manicured lawn and gardens within the 10-hectare cultivated section.

Outdoor enthusiasts will get the adrenaline pumping with a my­riad of activities including sand-boarding, white water kayak­ing, rock climbing, abseiling and bouldering, more than 20 defined hikes and walks in Kleinmond and 26 kilometer mountain bike trail in the heart of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve.

Protea in Kleinmond fynbos floral kingdom
Wild horses at Rooisand Nature Reserve

Various Wine Estates can be found in the beautiful landscape of the area with the wine farms in Bot River or the Hemel-and-Aarde Valley in Hermanus in near proximity.

More than 8 Golf courses are situated within an hour's drive from Kleinmond with Klein­mond's golf course in perfect golfing terrain at the foot of the Kogelberg mountain. Visitors are welcome to the 10-hole course which measures 5,761 meters and boasts a SAGU rating of 70. Arabella golf course at the Arabella Country Estate – 5 minutes drive from Kleinmond – has been voted the number 1 golf course in the Western Cape. The 18-hole championship course has won numerous awards and hosted the Nelson Mandela invitational for several years.

Kleinmond offers a wide selection of restaurants with the nightlife centered around famous Harbour Road (2.5 kilometers from Die Rotse Host House & Self-catering), where you will find a variety of eateries with sushi, local fish and chips, or pizza with your cocktail to ease the sun over the ocean.



Panoramic view from coastal walkway towards Die Rotse Host House and Self-catering

 

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