History of Struisbaai
Province: Western Cape
Overberg
Coordinates:34°18′05″S 18°48′59″E
Area:1.15 km2
Municipality: Overstrand
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 Struisbaai since 1673. Two, in particular, the Meermin stranded in 1766 when the Malagasy slaves it was transporting mutineers and the Jardiniere which sank in 1796.
Struisbaai is surrounded by several large vleis, such as Zoetendal and Kardrivier. Many species of water birds including flamingoes inhabit these marsh areas. Fishing at Struisbaai is good all year round.
Where does the name come from?
The origin of the name Struisbaai 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.
When the Cape Agulhas lighthouse was being restored, the name of the village was accepted by the National Names Commission, and the new harbour was built in 1959.
The postcode in Struisbaai is 7285 Streets and Boxes
WEATHER IN STRUISBAAI TODAY
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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
- Struisbaai Beach has Blue Flag status and is 14 km long.
- Feed the stingrays. You can buy sardines at the Pelicans Harbour Café and the stingrays will eat them right out of your hand
- 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 in Struisbaai
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: Struisbaai Primary School-028 435 6062
Cape Agulhas Tourism : 028 425 5581/ 028 425 5582