UNSPOILED COASTLINE

Stunning sea views, sparkling surf and beautiful beaches make St Helena Bay a special all-year destination, and for residents the bonuses include nearby shopping and healthcare facilities

LONG before Jan van Riebeeck set foot in the Cape of Good Hope, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrived in St Helena Bay, on the West Coast, in 1497, and you can visit a monument here which marks the spot where he came ashore.

The area has spectacular beaches, regular whale and dolphin sightings, and wild flower displays in early spring. Thanks to all this as well as the tranquil seaside lifestyle, an increasing number of new residents have arrived in recent years, along with buyers seeking a weekend getaway within easy reach of Cape Town, says Chantelle Mathews, area specialist for Chas Everitt International.

The actual bay of St Helena stretches from the village of Dwarskersbos in the north to Cape St Martin in the west, encompassing 18 smaller bays and coves such as Hannasbaai, Stompneusbaai and Britannia Bay, and the Shelley Point peninsula, where there is a golf estate with private beach, country club and hotel.

Fishermen here are responsible for about half of South Africa’s annual fish catch. There are working harbours at Sandy Point and Laaiplek, which is next to Velddrif at the mouth of the Berg River. Sandy Point is home to the Tallie Marine boatyard, a leading builder of ocean-going fishing vessels.

The best beaches are Golden Mile and the Britannia beach, and there are dozens of B&Bs and self-catering establishments to meet holiday demand.

“The town of St Helena Bay and its surrounding areas are attracting an increasing number of retirees and semigrants from Cape Town and other parts of South Africa,” says Mathews.

“There is a huge choice of properties, from residential stands and holiday cottages to estate homes and beachfront mansions.

“St Helena Bay is only 170km from Cape Town and has most things one needs. We have a Spar centre, a mini-market and an Agrimark outlet, a medical centre with two doctors, and two primary schools, as well as several excellent restaurants. And just 25km away, Vredenburg has the huge West

Residents and holidaymakers are treated to beautiful views and short walks from house to beach in St Helena Bay. PICTURES: SUPPLIED