Victoria Bay

• Province: Western Cape
• District: Garden Route
• Coordinates:34°00′S 22°33′E
• Municipality: George

Victoria Bay is a tiny seaside village on the Garden Route, famous for its sheltered beach and consistent surf. It’s perfect for a quick getaway, a relaxing beach day, or trying your hand at surfing. There are just a few local shops and cafés. Victoria Bay is located between  George and Wilderness, just off the N2, and is accessed via a short turn-off road from the highway. Despite its small size, the beach is a well-known surfing and holiday destination. It is situated in a narrow gorge with steep hillsides.

History of Victoria Bay

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Victoria Bay was originally known as Gunter Bay. In 1847, a public meeting was held in George to consider the bay’s potential as a harbour. Following the meeting, the bay was renamed Victoria Bay in honour of Queen Victoria. Captain Pilkington surveyed the bay in 1858 as part of investigations into its suitability for harbour development, but the proposed harbour was never built.

For many years Victoria Bay remained a small and relatively isolated coastal settlement. Its sheltered beach eventually made it popular for fishing and bathing, while its consistent right-hand wave established it as a surfing location.

One of the most unusual chapters in the bay’s history began in 1923, when Bramwell Edmund Butler, a young bookkeeper from Oudtshoorn, won the final Calcutta Sweepstake. His prize was £125,000, an enormous amount of money at the time. He invested part of his winnings in Victoria Bay, buying property and financing the construction of a jetty, harbour wall and tidal pool. He also bought property along what is now Land’s End Road.

There is another interesting story attached to his winnings. Butler offered a donation to the Dutch Reformed Church, but the church declined it because the money had come from gambling. The Methodist Church accepted the donation instead.

The original jetty was later badly damaged by storms and was replaced by a larger structure in the early 1990s. The tidal pool and jetty remain important features of the small bay.

Railway line

Victoria Bay remained relatively isolated until the railway reached the area. The George–Knysna railway line was completed in December 1928, with the spectacular route running along the cliffs above Victoria Bay and across the Kaaimans River. The railway provided a new connection with George and Knysna and contributed to the development of Victoria Bay as a holiday and railway stop.

During the 20th century, Victoria Bay developed into a small residential and holiday settlement. Railway cottages and holiday homes became part of the character of the bay, while its sheltered beach and reliable surf continued to attract visitors.

Victoria Bay has remained small in comparison with the larger coastal settlements along the Garden Route. Properties in the bay are seldom available on the market, and the area remains closely associated with its beach, tidal pool, jetty and railway line.

There have also been proposals to give the area additional protection through the creation of a marine sanctuary.

Things to see and do in Victoria Bay:

• Whales are seen on most days from late May until late October. Read about whales and dolphins here
• Beautiful beach
• Visit the Shell shop on George Road
•  The Kaaimans River mouth is nearby

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

WEATHER IN VICTORIA BAY TODAY

Browse businesses and places to see in Victoria Bay

Useful Numbers

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities in and around

• Emergency Services

• Police: 044 802 8922
• Fire: George Brandweer and Nooddienste-044 801 6311
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital: George Hospital – 044 802 4528

• Municipal & Utilities

• Municipality – 044 801 9111
• Water: 044 801 2500/2510
• Electricity:044 874 3917 or after hours at 044 801 6300

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department:044 878 2400
• Community & Safety
• NSRI 087 094 9774

• Local Contacts and Community Resources 

• Post office;Wilderness Post Office-044 877 1257
• Library: George Library – 044 801 9288

• Schools;

• The Closest schools are all in George