History of Pringle Bay

Province: Western Cape
Overberg
Coordinates:34°21′S 18°49′E
Area:3.26 km2
Municipality: Overstrand

Pringle bay caves

Pringle Bay is a small settlement on the coast below Hangklip (hanging rock) It is within the Koggelberg Biosphere Reserve which is a UNESCO heritage site. The Hangklip mountain is dotted with many natural caves which once gave refuge to bandits and escaped slaves. One of the bigger caves is consequently named “Drostergat” (Deserters cave) These caves have been used by nomadic people for thousands of years. In the early 1920s, excavations unearthed burial sites and some interesting artifacts. These and later digs revealed a lot about the ancient inhabitants of the area.

Many Shipwrecks off the coast

The bay is named after Rear Admiral Thomas Pringle who commanded the Royal Navy in the 1790s. At this time there was a plan to turn the bay into a port from which to ship fresh produce across False Bay to the naval base in Simon’s town. This did not pan out and consequently Pringle Bay remained largely a quiet undeveloped village.
Pringle Bay is however infamous. Ships would turn North too soon at “False Cape” believing they were at Cape Point. There are wrecks of at least 30 ships in the bay.
The village, along with Betty’s Bay and Rooi Els was founded in the 1930s when three businessmen, Harold Porter, Arthur Youldon, and Jack Clarence, bought land and wanted to turn a profit by selling plots and establishing beach estates.

Conservation or forestry

In 1937 responsibility for the area was put under the department of forestry and timber plantations were planned. A local (Harry Molteno son of Prime Minister John Molteno) petitioned that the area should rather be conserved. The idea was supported by the Cape Western Conservancy and The Koggelberg Biosphere Nature Reserve was established.

Development in the area was however delayed due to World War 2. The area was restricted by the military who established a “secret” radar station on the hillside. The Hangklip Hotel was an army barracks and there was also a POW camp where Italian captives were interred, These soldiers were put to work building what is now Clarence Drive. This road improved access to the area and aided development.
There are not many buildings in Pringle Bay, Many are holiday homes. However, though electricity was installed only in 1993 there are no street lights and the night sky is clear.

The license plate prefix is CEM and the postcode for Pringle Bay is 7196 (boxes only)

WEATHER IN PRINGLE BAY TODAY

see all listings in pringle bay

Things to do and see in Pringle Bay

Koggel Bay Beach is a great surfing area but is a dangerous place to swim while Pringle Bay Beach is safe for swimming and fishing
Take an easy 30-minute walk on Brodie Link
Hiking trails near Pringle Bay
Pringle Bay birding group

Useful Numbers in Pringle Bay

Police: Kleinmond – 028 271 8200
Municipality; Kleinmond-028 271 8400
Traffic department
Fire:072129 9788
Water:028 271 8435
Electricity: Eskom- 086 003 7566
Ambulance:028 425 1907 (10777)
Post office; Betty’s bay 028 272 9363
Library: Bettys bay-028 272 9263
Closest hospital; Hermanus Prov.-028 312 1166
Mediclinic Hermanus-028 313 0168
Pharmacy; Alpha Pharm – Kleinmond-028 271 3320
NSRI (sea rescue) 021 449 3500
Mountain rescue 021 937 0300
SPCA: Kleinmond Animal Welfare Society-028 271 5004
Wildlife in distress: 072 652 2346
Schools: Pringle House Eco School-028 273 8853
Pringle Bay Community Hall: 1772 Buffels Road 079 038 3916
Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees – KVET A community-run non-profit organization for the ecological interests of the Overstrand villages
Ratepayers association: 082 491 0771 info@pringlebayratepayers.co.za

Pringle Bay