During the first 5 weeks of lockdown in March/April 2020, we weren’t allowed to leave our house except to go grocery shopping which Pete did once a week. The restriction was then eased and we were allowed to exercise within 5km from home and only from 6am to 9am (don’t get me started about how ridiculous that was especially in the Western Cape where the sun only rose at 7:30). Beaches and parks were closed.
Nothing like being told you can’t do something to make you want to do it. As soon as we could, we set out to explore our local area and we found some absolute gems that we can’t believe we didn’t know about earlier! So this is our list of the top outdoor activities around Gansbaai & De Kelders when you and the kids want to be outside and stretch your legs. You won’t find a list of restaurants or indoor entertainment, this is all about the natural beauty and outdoor spaces that we found in the post-hard-lockdown world.
Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Got a 4×4? This is the place to go. The drive into the beautiful secluded beaches is fun for the whole family, and then you can choose your own secluded beach to relax on. If you want to swim, stick to the first beach below the Klipgat Cave (you don’t need a 4×4 to access this one), the other beaches are awesome for digging in the sand and some socially distant beach time.
Currently permits need to be pre-purchased from Cape Nature (or if you have a Wild Card you can just turn up). Note when the regulations don’t allow for beach visits, you can still visit here if you have a fishing permit… apparently even if you don’t have a fishing rod…
Another great Cape Nature reserve for a day out with the kids is De Mond Nature Reserve.
Pearly Beach
This absolutely has to be top of our list of favourite outdoor activities around Gansbaai. For a long walk with the kids it’s hard to beat. Get the tides right (ideally a couple of hours after high tide), and you will have a 6+ kilometre stretch of sandy beach that is easy to walk on and stunningly beautiful. If you don’t do anything else on this list, do this.
Cliff Path
The cliff path in Hermanus is well known, and very well developed as it is mostly paved and in sections it is wheelchair friendly and you can, at a push (and with a bit of carrying down stairs), take a pram along the whole length of it.
The cliff path that joins De Kelders and Gansbaai is a very different proposition. At times a jeep track, at times a rock scramble, it is worth donning your trainers at least and bringing some water and a snack or two (or more likely a snack or twenty if your kids are like ours…) You can walk for as long or as short as you like, but there is quite a bit to keep the kids interested along the way and it’s good clean fun. Don’t try and take the kids bikes though unless you love to carry and push them yourself.
Perlemoen Bay Tidal Pool
OK this one is a bit of a cheat as (a) lockdown was during autumn & winter and (b) the tidal pool wasn’t maintained during lockdown, but as a spot to go with the kids when it is warm and when council are cleaning the pool, this is a pretty awesome option. A big salt water tidal pool for the adults and a shallow fresh water pool for the kids.
