ST HELENA BAY INFORMATION CENTRE
Discover St Helena Bay ... the explorer Vasco da Gama did in 1497 and found not only one but 18 stunning bays. Come, relax, explore and leave your footprints in these sands.
St Helena Bay, known locally as 'Die Agterbaai', is one of the world's prime fishing centres. Fed by the nutrient-rich Benguela current, the waters teem with marine life, which provides the livelihood for its coastal inhabitants.
The main harbour at Sandy Point bustles with activity and shipbuilders and fishermen rub shoulders as they go about their daily work. The fisher-folk haul in the 'trek' nets to harvest the day's catch and the women's sleigh of hand as they 'vlek' snoek is a marvel to behold. Their cultural heritage is unique and the quaint tongue of the locals will bring a smile to the face of those who stop to savor their vernacular.
When in production, and by prior arrangement, visitors can join a tour of a fishing factory or watch the trek nets being repaired. Southern Right whales return here to mate and calve annually and St Helena Bay is home to the endemic Heaviside's dolphin, classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List, and Humpback and Killer whales, amongst other cetacean species. It is also the southernmost point for the Palearctic migratory birds from northern Europe and Siberia, making it a bird-watcher's paradise.
After good rains, the fields are bedecked in the bright colours of myriad spring flowers, making it a great winter destination. Its pristine beaches beg to be explored and the waters await the aqausport enthusiasts. The sports centre in the Shelley Point private development has been designed with the more energetic in mind.
Just 150km from Cape Town, this is the ideal base from which to make day visits – from the Cederberg to Elands Bay, Paternoster to Langebaan – the choice is endless.
The main harbour at Sandy Point bustles with activity and shipbuilders and fishermen rub shoulders as they go about their daily work. The fisher-folk haul in the 'trek' nets to harvest the day's catch and the women's sleigh of hand as they 'vlek' snoek is a marvel to behold. Their cultural heritage is unique and the quaint tongue of the locals will bring a smile to the face of those who stop to savor their vernacular.
When in production, and by prior arrangement, visitors can join a tour of a fishing factory or watch the trek nets being repaired. Southern Right whales return here to mate and calve annually and St Helena Bay is home to the endemic Heaviside's dolphin, classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List, and Humpback and Killer whales, amongst other cetacean species. It is also the southernmost point for the Palearctic migratory birds from northern Europe and Siberia, making it a bird-watcher's paradise.
After good rains, the fields are bedecked in the bright colours of myriad spring flowers, making it a great winter destination. Its pristine beaches beg to be explored and the waters await the aqausport enthusiasts. The sports centre in the Shelley Point private development has been designed with the more energetic in mind.
Just 150km from Cape Town, this is the ideal base from which to make day visits – from the Cederberg to Elands Bay, Paternoster to Langebaan – the choice is endless.
C: 27 (0)76 661 2046 E: sthelenabay@sbto.co.za
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{Copyright (C) 2010 Saldanha Bay Tourism Organisation & TOP-IT Solutions. All Rights Reserved} / Site powered by TOP-IT Solutions (c) 2008/09/10
St Helena Bay