Witsand Accommodation: Looking for some peaceful accommodation? Try Witsand

If you are looking to get away from it all then Witsand is the place for you. The small town of Witsand on the mouth of the Breede River was once a bustling port town due to the natural anchorage provided by the estuary. In the 1800s the Witsand harbour was bursting with steamboats bound for Cape Town. But now Witsand is just a sleepy coastal town with less than 400 local residents and pristine natural surroundings. It is the perfect place to go if you need to get away from the hectic pace of city life.

Accommodation in Witsand has a lot to offer for someone looking for peace and quiet. Situated in the heart of the cape floral kingdom, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, Witsand is a nature lover’s paradise and a great place to reconnect with the elements. Just don’t expect to get good cell phone signal.

If finding accommodation in Witsand is beginning to sound a bit on the boring side do not despair. Even though it is a quiet sleepy town you will still find plenty to do in Witsand.

Fishing enthusiasts will be interested to know that the Breede River Estuary is one of the best fishing spots in South Africa which is famous for its giant spotted grunter and cob. Most accommodation in Witsand will offer eager fishermen the opportunity to hire a charter which will take them into the river for a day’s fishing.

Beach lovers will enjoy the 4km of pristine beaches which give Witsand (literally ‘white sand’) its name. At the end of the beach you will find Moodie’s Well which provided fresh water to some of the first western inhabitants who sought out accommodation in the area.

Witsand is also right next door to De Hoop Nature Reserve which is a 3000 ha reserve of pristine cape costal land. The reserve is a great place for bird watching with over 250 different recorded species including the rare Cape Vulture. You will also be able to spot lots of other game at the reserve including the Cape Mountain Zebra and many species of buck. For the more energetic the reserve offers extensive hiking and mountain biking trails which can be explored. De Hoop offers the choice of day passes or staying for a few nights in their rustic accommodation.

Whale enthusiasts will appreciate Witsand for being one of the prime whale watching sites in the country. With a sheltered sandy bay perfect for calving young whales, Witsand provides accommodation to hundreds of whales during whale season. The 54km whale trail along the cliff tops of the bay offer unparalleled views of the whales which are present every year from June to November.

History buffs will also appreciate the great historical value of Witsand. The town has many old buildings and sites of historical interest left over from when it was a bustling port town. For example the Barry Memorial Church, which was built in 1849 by the Barry family an important merchant family that lived in Witsand.