Towns and suburbs

Struisbaai

History of Struisbaai

Over 150 Shipwrecks close to this sleepy fishing village

Struisbaai is a historic fishing village with a beautiful natural harbour. Yet the waters surrounding this Southern tip of Africa are treacherous. More than 150 ships are recorded as having been wrecked here. 30 of them have run aground near the beach since 1673. Two, in particular, the Meermin, which was stranded in 1766 when the Malagasy slaves it was transporting mutinied and the Jardiniere, which sank in 1796. More recently, in 1971, the Liberian oil tanker Wafra ran aground, causing significant oil pollution along the coast before it was eventually towed out to sea and destroyed. In 1974, another oil tanker, the Oriental Pioneer, also ran aground.

The village is surrounded by several large vleis, such as Zoetendal and Kardrivier. Many species of water birds, including flamingos, inhabit these marsh areas. Fishing at Struisbaai is good all year round.

Where does the name come from?

The origin of the name is debated. Three possibilities have been put forward a) The name is from the straw used for cottage roofs, b) It is after the ostriches, which were in the area (Struisvogel) in Dutch, or, c) Struis derived from an old Dutch word meaning huge, referring to the long stretches of beach. Struisbaai is the longest beach in the Southern Hemisphere and it stretches for a total of 14 kilometres.

Before 1950, the only buildings were a boarding house and a small shop. Holiday homes began appearing after 1950, and as the settlement grew, running water, a motel, and rondavels were introduced.
When the Cape Agulhas lighthouse was being restored, the name of the village was accepted by the National Names Commission. The new harbour was built in 1959 and expanded in 1990..

 

The postcode in Struisbaai is 7285 Streets and Boxes

local WEATHER TODAY

see all listings in struisbaai

Things to see and do in Struisbaai

  • Tourist Information: Accommodation, Short Videos of the area, Gift Shop, Curios, Souvenirs, and Marine Aquarium are at the tourist office,1 Main Road, Struisbaai
  • The Beach has Blue Flag status and is 14 km long.
  • The annual Geelstertfees (Yellowtail Festival), celebrating the local fishing industry with food stalls and live entertainment.
  • Feed the stingrays. You can buy sardines at the Pelicans Harbour Café, and the stingrays will eat them right out of your hand. The well known stingray named Parrie has become a popular attraction.
  • De Mond Nature Reserve between Arniston and Struisbaai is a Ramsar site
  • De Hoop Whale Trail
  • Ghost trail
  • See the wreck of the Glory May on the beach

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 028 435 6440
  • Municipality;028 435 6538
  • Traffic department: Bredasdorp Traffic Department – 028 425 5500
  • Fire: Bredasdorp): 028 425 1690
  • Water:028 435 6538
  • Electricity:028 435 6538
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Post office; Postal agency – aqw028 435 6871
  • Library: 028 435 6538 028 435 6538 (ask for library)
  • Closest hospital; Provincial Hospital (Bredasdorp): (028) 424 1167
  • Pharmacy;028 435 6913
  • SPCA: Animal Welfare (Bredasdorp): 082 898 0787 / (028) 425 2270
  • Schools: Primary School-028 435 6062
  • Cape Agulhas Tourism : 028 425 5581/ 028 425 5582

 

Search