Cape Overberg Destinations & Attractions
South Africa is brimming with natural beauty, culture and heritage. The Cape Overberg is one of the regions that combine these elements to create a destination of sheer wonder and irresistible appeal. The Overberg is characterised by its variety. There are rolling hills laden with indigenous fynbos, golden wheat fields, lush valleys, orchards, vineyards, and mile after mile of exquisite beaches and coastal scrub.
The Cape Overberg stretches between the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range in the Cape Peninsula and the Riviersonderend Mountain on the border of the Garden Route. Because grain farming is such an important industry in the Overberg, it is sometimes affectionately known as the Breadbasket of the Cape.
The entire Overberg region is popular amongst adventurers, particularly those who revel in time spent outdoors. There are a number of golf courses, as well as a huge variety of walking and hiking trails.
Because the Cape Overberg is such a magnificent part of South Africa, it is popular amongst tourists. Therefore, it is well-equipped with accommodation facilities, restaurants, and other facilities and amenities. This makes it the ideal destination for family holidays, honeymoons or weekend getaways.
Hermanus is one of the towns of the Cape Overberg, and is known as the whale watching capital of the country. In fact, it is one of the last remaining places that still make use of a formal whale crier, who sounds his horn to alert those in the town of whales off the coast. Humpbacks and Southern Rights are most common, and can frequently be seen spyhopping, breaching and lobtailing close to the shore, delighting spectators with their giant, elegant manoeuvres. They pass this stretch of coast between July and December. Of course, Hermanus also has beautiful beaches and a laid-back atmosphere that is quite alluring.
Caledon boasts the Swartberg Mountains as its idyllic backdrop. Although small, this town is home to hot springs that are rich in healthful minerals. The spa showcases the beauty of the area with unbeatable views and offers a variety of packages to ensure that visitors leave feeling refreshed and relaxed.
For those who want to experience the real history of the area, Swellendam is a must. As one of the first colonial settlements in South Africa, Swellendam has a fascinating story to tell. It is situated at the foot of the magnificent Langeberg Mountains and is a popular retreat for artists needing to clear their minds.
The Cape Overberg is also the home of Gansbaai, a small fishing village that has gained worldwide acclaim for its shark cage diving adventures. There are plenty of magnificent Great White sharks just off this coastline, and visitors are given the opportunity to dip beneath the water's surface and enter their natural habitat, protected by a special cage. Sharks frequently approach the cage, even bumping it in curiosity.
The Cape Overberg is a land of diversity and abundance, a truly special retreat.
Arabella Estate
The spectacular setting of the Arabella Golf Estate adds to its luxurious status. This is a Peter Matkovich course that combines parklands and links. It is simultaneously challenging and fun; ideal for pros, beginners or those ...
Baardskeerdersbos
The picturesque village of Baardskeerdersbos is so named after an arachnid that cuts the hair from humans for its nest. This gruesome name does not aptly represent the sheer beauty of this region, which is characterised by ...
Barrydale
The hub of brandy and wine production in the Karoo, Barrydale enjoys its idyllic location and the foot of the Langeberg Mountain Range. This pretty little village boasts an interesting history, which permeates its architecture ...
Bettys Bay
Bettys Bay and its surroundings are considered as the heart to the Cape Floral Kingdom. This sea side village is a beautiful holiday destination too which boast so much wildlife and beautiful views. The Disa River Waterfall is a ...
Botrivier
Botrivier is a small, picturesque village sitting at the bottom of the Houw Hoek Mountains. The river runs through a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains covered in fynbos and surrounded with historical wine farms ...
Buffeljagsrivier
Buffeljagsrivier is a very small town in the heart of the Overberg region of the exquisite Western Cape Province. It is an official part of the Overberg District Municipality as it is part of the historical and scenic little town ...
Caledon
With the Swartberg mountains in the backround, Caledon makes for a very beautiful and scenic town to visit. Caledon is famous for its iron-rich hot springs and the Caledon Wild Flower Garden with its displays of indigenous wild ...
Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas is the southernmost tip of Africa and where the Indian and Atlantic ocean meet each other. The historic red and white Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is a huge attraction with its beautiful ocean back drop and rocky ...
De Hoop
On the southern Cape coast between Arniston and Witsand lies the beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve. This sanctuary is considered one of the great floral wonderlands of Southern Africa and one of the top Southern Right whale mating ...
De Kelders
De Kelders is a little village North of Gansbaai. It is essentially a fishing village and famous for its seafood. On the shores of Walker Bay, De Kelders is home to Southern Right Whales and one can often spot them year after ...
Elgin
The gorgeous, fertile valley of Elgin is one of the Capes most beautiful areas filled with vineyards, orchards, forests and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. The Elgin valley is only an hours drive from Cape Town so ...
Fisherhaven
As one of the top whale-watching destinations in the world and a scenic seaside town, Hermanus certainly promises much in the way of a fun, exciting destination with plenty to see. It is quiet for most of the year. But, when the ...
Franskraal
Situated right outside the shark cage diving centre of South Africa (Gansbaai), Franskraal is a quaint seaside village with an awesome array of things to do. These range from outdoors excursions for those who want to savour the ...
Gansbaai
Gansbaai is situated on the coast of Walker Bay and one of its main attractions is the Southern Right Whales and Great White Sharks that frequent these waters. At the foot of the Dynefontein Mountains, one can see the magnificent ...
Genadendal
Genadendal is a quaint little historical village just six kilometres outside Greyton - one of the most popular towns to visit in the Western Cape. Genadendal is the oldest Moravian mission village on the continent and at its ...
Grabouw
Just an hour from Cape Town, nestled within the magnificent Elgin Valley and surrounded by impressive mountain ranges, is the picturesque little town of Grabouw. This quaint area is known for its beautiful roses, fynbos and ...
Greyton
Favoured by artists, retirees, young families and those who want to escape the city bustle, Greyton is the perfect retreat. It is set within breath-taking surrounds, complete with rivers, mountain ranges and the clear high ...
Hawston
Just past Hermanus, between Fisherhaven and Onrus, lies the village of Hawston, which is notably famous for its beautiful beach, more than the attraction Hawston might hold for visitors.
The beach, tucked away in the little ...
Heidelberg
Less than 300 kilometres from Cape Town and at the foot of the awesome Langeberg Mountains is the pretty little town of Heidelberg. It is simultaneously historical and aesthetically lovely, making for a great getaway that is only ...
Hermanus
Known the world around for being one of the premier whale watching sites, Hermanus is a small (but growing) town an hour outside Cape Town. Once dedicated solely to fishing, it is becoming more and more in-demand amongst those ...
Kleinbaai
Danger Point Peninsula is home to the exquisite little town of Kleinbaai, known and loved for its fynbos and the wild flowers that pop up every summer. This is a popular shark cage diving destination (like its neighbour, ...
Kleinmond
Kleinmond is a peaceful little coastal village that is secluded within the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Beautiful beaches and rugged mountains characterise the topography of this unique part of the ...
Malgas
Originally established as the site of an inland harbour, Malgas is a small town in the heart of the Western Cape beauty. It is perched along the banks of the stunning Breede River and is loved amongst visitors that enjoy the ...
Onrus
The Cape Overberg region in the province of the Western Cape comprises some of the most scenic and popular parts of South Africa. These include the shark cage diving Mecca of Gansbaai as well as the whale watching hub of ...
Pearly Beach
The appeal of Pearly Beach is in its unspoilt, somewhat untouched natural beauty. The beach itself seems to have no end, and the local community is a small, hospitable group of long-time locals ...
Pringle Bay
Set in the heart of the Kogelberg Biosphere, Pringle Bay is a serene coastal village that lies in the shadow of the beautiful Hangklip Mountain. Ocean views stretch on forever, enjoyed by those occupying the lovely homes along ...
Riviersonderend
Between Caledon and Swellendam on the N2, Riviersonderend is about two hours’ drive from Cape Town. This farming area is characterised by beautiful natural landscapes and impressive mountain ranges surrounding the little town ...
Rooi Els
Rooi Els perches like a child's puzzle piece on the edge of Route 44, the first little seaside village after leaving Gordon's Bay, before the landmark Hangklip rock face.
Rooi Els (sometimes spelt Rooiels or Rooi-Els), like ...
Sandbaai
Sandbaai may be a relatively new suburb of Hermanus, but it oozes all of the charm and rustic allure of an old-fashioned seaside village. It is close to a number of natural attractions (such as the local winelands) and is an ...
Stanford
The historical village of Stanford lies at the foot of the majestic Klein River Mountains, just outside Hermanus. It is peaceful, but is situated close to the Mother City of Cape Town, taking little more than an hour to reach ...
Suiderstrand
In the beautiful Overberg District Municipality of the Western Cape is the little settlement of Suiderstrand (which means "southernmost beach"). It has an area of some 1.4 square kilometres and is home to only a few dozen folk. ...
Suurbraak
The little village of Suurbraak lies in a fold of the Langeberg Mountains just down from the incredible Tradouw Pass.
It's a former mission village that gives the word 'quaint' new meaning, even if, on the whole, it also ...
Swellendam
Swellendam is significant for many reasons, not least of all for being one of the country’s oldest towns. With the backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains, this is the ideal retreat from the big city, and has become increasingly ...
Tesselaarsdal
In the heart of the Cape Overberg, roughly 21 kilometres from Caledon and the N2, lies the quaint, virtually unheard of village of Tesselaarsdal. It is one of those little towns that is close to everything - 38 kilometres from ...
Vermaaklikheid
If you have not heard of Vermaaklikheid it is probably better that you not know. Certainly once you do, you are sworn to secrecy, as this gorgeous escape from it all just 310 km from Cape Town in the heart of the Overberg ...
Vermont
Vermont is part of Greater Hermanus and is known for its peaceful quality, magnificent fynbos and superior whale watching opportunities during the period between July and December, when Southern Rights and Humpbacks frequent the ...
Villiersdorp
Lying in the centre of a flourishing apple-growing region, which also happens to produce grapes, onions, peaches and apricots, it’s not hard to imagine Villiersdorp’s prettiness and its attraction to visitors. Villiersdorp lies ...
Witsand
Known as the breeding and nursing ground of choice for the Southern Right Whale, Witsand is a gorgeous coastal town about three hours’ drive from Cape Town. This is also the point at which the ever-popular Breede River enters the ...
Arniston
Arniston is a small fishing village that is a secluded gem along the Overberg coastline. It is a particularly beautiful natural area, flanked by nature reserves and home to an impressive array of fynbos and bird species, amongst ...
Baardskeerdersbos
The picturesque village of Baardskeerdersbos is so named after an arachnid that cuts the hair from humans for its nest. This gruesome name does not aptly represent the sheer beauty of this region, which is characterised by ...
Bredasdorp
Despite being the region of Cape Agulhas’ financial epicentre, Bredasdorp remains a quiet, quaint village with fabulous views. It is a peaceful escape from the city life and is known for its expansive fields of proteas and golden ...
Elim
Elim was originally a Moravian mission station, established in 1824. As such, it is full of history and character. It is significant for its close proximity to both the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as for its ...
Infanta
The little village of Infanta is one of several villages that lie on the banks of the Breede River as it flows from its source near Ceres, although it is Witsand Infanta that lie at its mouth - Witsand on the eastern bank and ...
L'Agulhas
L’Agulhas is the charming little town on the southernmost tip of the African continent. It boasts the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. It is historically significant for its many shipwrecks and naturally valuable ...
Malgas
Originally established as the site of an inland harbour, Malgas is a small town in the heart of the Western Cape beauty. It is perched along the banks of the stunning Breede River and is loved amongst visitors that enjoy the ...
Napier
The old-fashioned town of Napier is set amongst golden-hued wheat and barley fields and at the foot of the Soetmuisberg Mountain Range. Its architecture and charm are irresistible, making Napier a popular stop-over ...
Struisbaai
Struisbaai is best known for its historical whitewashed cottages and its endless stretches of beautiful beaches. Its coastline makes it a veritable hotspot for watersports enthusiasts. Still, it remains quiet and tranquil, not ...
Suiderstrand
In the beautiful Overberg District Municipality of the Western Cape is the little settlement of Suiderstrand (which means "southernmost beach"). It has an area of some 1.4 square kilometres and is home to only a few dozen folk. ...
