History of Betty’s Bay
- Province: Western Cape
- Overberg
- Coordinates 34.363°S 18.885°E
- Area: 20.99 km2
- Municipality: Overstrand
Who was Betty?
Betty’s Bay is one of the longest villages in South Africa, it stretches from the Kogelberg Mountains to the ocean over 13 kilometres. It was named after Betty Youlden by Arthur Youlden who was the first developer in the area. Allegedly. Betty’s Bay was a favorite place for runaway slaves to hide, in fact for two centuries the area was the stronghold of outlaws or “drosters” and the few Koisan people who had not succumbed to measles.
In 1912 a whaling station was built at Stony Point which operated right up to the 1930s. it is now in ruins but there is now a breeding colony of Jackass penguins at Stony Point which is now the “Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area”
Nature conservation in the area.
Close to Betty’s Bay are the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens which were bought in 1938 with the intention to preserve the land for future generations. Nearby also is the Koggelberg Biosphere Reserve which is often called the “Heart of the Fynbos Kingdom” where about 1600 species of indigenous plants can be found.
The postal code for Betty’s Bay is 7141 9boxes only)
WEATHER IN BETTY’S BAY TODAY
See all listings in betty’s bay
Things to see and do in Betty’s Bay:
- The Koggelberg biosphere is marked from Gordon’s Bay all the way to Kleinmond and inland right to the Elgin basin over an area of 100,000 hectares. Permits to hike in the area can be obtained at the Oudebosch office within the reserve. Enquires: 028 271 5138
- See penguins at Stony Point Marine Protected area, whales can also be seen sometimes out to sea at Betty’s Bay. Read about whales and dolphins here
- Go sandboarding on the dunes @ silver Sands.
- The Harold Porter National botanical garden
- The Highlands trail
- Rod’s trail
- The large sand dunes are great for sandboarding,
- Betty’s Bay Parkrun Every Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Harold Porter National Botanical Garden,
Useful Numbers in Betty’s bay
- Police: Kleinmond-028 271 8200
- Municipality:028 271 8400 Emergency-028 313 8000/8111
- Traffic department: Gordons Bay-021 856 8570
- Fire: 028 312 2400
- `Water:
- Electricity
- Ambulance: 10177 Grabouw – 028 212 9111
- Post office; 028 272 9363
- Library: 028 272 9263
- Closest hospital a satellite clinic. 028 271 5807
- Pharmacy;Kleinmond Kliniek Pharmacy-028 271 3320
- SPCA: Kleinmond Animal Welfare Society-028 271 5004
- Mooiuitsig Community hall 028 271 8118
- Schools: Penguinkidz Pre School – Betty’s Bay-073 572 8120
- Bettys Bay Ratepayers Association: bettysbayratepayers@gmail.com