Struisbaai

Struisbaai is in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Struisbaai is a coastal village boasting the longest continuous stretch of white sand coastline in the Southern Hemisphere, 8 km from the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas. Struisbaai is in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

There is some debate as to the origin of the name Struisbaai. Some authorities believe that it means Straw Bay, after the fishermens cottages that were originally built of straw. Others claim the name Struisbaai is derived from the Dutch vogelstruijs or ostrich. The low shrub-covered terrain bordering the sandy coast is certainly ostrich country and there are a good number of these giant birds sharing the land with dairy cattle and merino sheep. Still others say that the town is named for the size of its beach - from an old Dutch word for huge.

Small localities in the Struisbaai area include Hotagterklip.

This coastal resort has the longest white, sandy coastline in the southern hemisphere (14 km) and is a very popular holiday destination. According to legend, Struisbaai was named for the large numbers of ‘vogelstruise’ (ostriches) once found in the area

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bredasdorp 43 km, Cape Town 231 km, Swellendam 112 km, Mossel Bay 286 km, Worcester 252 km.

HISTORICAL VIEW

Thatch Roof Church

National monument

Fisherman’s Cottages

The cottages at Hotagterklip were declared National Monuments

NATURE

Agulhas National Park

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Struisbaai Yellowtail Festival – February

Struisbaai Calamari Spring Festival – September

Shark Viewing

Rusvic Great White Charters offers sighting, cage diving and tagging trips

Whales – June to December

Accommodation in and around Struisbaai