Die Hawehuis logo mark

Stilbaai · South Africa

Aerial view of Stilbaai's beach and harbour town at sunrise, Die Hawehuis

The Area

days built
around the coast

From Die Hawehuis you’re minutes from Stilbaai’s harbour and beach, with the wider coast — Jongensfontein, the Goukou River and Hessequa’s countryside — close enough for an easy day out.

8

Experiences, Curated & Local

Steps Away

Harbour to Open Sea

440 ha

Geelkrans Reserve

Craft

Gin & Local Flavours

Covered patio and braai area at sunrise, Die Hawehuis

Right at Your Doorstep

Stilbaai’s harbour, on your doorstep

Step out and you’re already there — the harbour beach 50 metres away, tidal pools at low tide, and the working harbour where the fishing boats come in. Walk the shoreline at sunset, cast a line, or just watch the swell roll in from the patio.

The harbour, Stilbaai’s cafés and local restaurants are minutes away — an easy stop after a morning on the water or the trails.

Harbour Beach

Rock Pools

Fishing

Sunset Walks

Hikers on the coastal path between Jongensfontein and Stilbaai

Walk the edge of the continent

One of the region’s finest coastal trails runs between Jongensfontein and Stilbaai, tracing fynbos-covered cliffs above the sea. Give yourself a few unhurried hours, and watch for whales in season.

8 km

Coastal Walk

Ocean Views

Whale Watching in Season

Inverroche Distillery entrance, fynbos gin tasting

Taste the spirit of the fynbos

A short drive inland, Inverroche distils gin from the Cape Floral Kingdom’s own fynbos. Join a guided tasting, meet the makers, or craft your own blend on a miniature copper still at the Gin Academy.

Distillery

Gin Tasting

Guided Tours

Booking Recommended

Four More to Discover

A wilder, deeper Stilbaai.

Hikers on the sandstone cliffs of Geelkrans Nature Reserve

Geelkrans Nature Reserve

Fynbos trails lead down to sandstone cliffs, secluded beaches and rock pools — a wilder, quieter stretch of the same coastline.

Nature Reserve

Hiking

Fynbos

Permits and current access arrangements should be confirmed before visiting.

Ancient stone fish traps at Skulpiesbaai

Ancient Fish Traps

Stone-walled fish traps emerge from the shallows as the tide drops — a working piece of coastal heritage, still visible today at Skulpiesbaai.

Coastal Heritage

Low Tide

Skulpiesbaai

Hand-feeding the eels at the Palinggat spring

Blombos Museum & Palinggat Eels

Trace the Southern Cape’s deep history at the Blombos Museum, then meet the eels that have lived in the Palinggat spring for generations.

Local Heritage

Family Experience

Rainy-Day Option

Eel-feeding and visiting times vary — confirm with the museum before visiting.

Kayakers paddling on the Goukou River

Days on the Goukou River

Paddle a canoe or kayak upstream, swim in calm water, or drift quietly through the estuary as the birdlife moves around you.

Paddling

Swimming

Boating

Aerial view of the Goukou River meander through olive country

Scenic & Authentic

Follow the river into olive country

Leave the coast behind for a few hours and follow the Goukou River inland, through working farms, olive groves and quiet country roads — a slower, greener side of the same region.

More to Explore

Ocean Adventures

Surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and seasonal fishing charters along the Stilbaai coastline, weather and availability permitting.

Golf & Leisure

Stilbaai Golf Club runs year-round, with Jongensfontein’s seasonal nine-hole course, tennis and a sand 4×4 route nearby.

Local Food & Harbour Visits

The harbour, Stilbaai’s cafés and local restaurants are minutes away — an easy stop after a morning on the water or the trails.

Art, Markets & Local Makers

Part of the wider Hessequa art landscape, with regular markets, seasonal events and local craft to discover — check the current calendar for dates.

Stay close to it all

A private retreat on Stilbaai’s own harbour, with the best of the Southern Cape close enough for an easy day out.