Thank you so very much for your kind review. The recognition means a great deal to all of us! It was an absolute pleasure hosting your group and we sincerely wish that we will see all of you again soon. Plus, next time around, be sure to stay just a little longer. The Krystal Beach is located at the very epicentre of the best attractions and activities that the Western Cape has to offer. Consider the following highlights:
1. Swim, tan, picnic and chill on our pristine Bikini, Strand, and numerous other coastal drive beaches. About Strand Beach; with its five-kilometre-long stretch of white sand, Strand Beach is a perfect family beach for swimming, sunbathing and a variety of marine sports. There’s even a tidal pool for anyone who is not brave enough to plunge into the mellow surf. There are several surf spots to suit every level of surfer. Bikini Beach is one of Cape Town's six Blue Flag Beaches. Bikini Beach is an excellent swimming beach as the water is usually warm, calm and clear. Named after the numerous bikini-clad Stellenbosch University students who are regulars, this intimate little beach has its particular charm. Surrounded by the craggy Hottentot's Holland mountain range on one side and the harbour breakwater on the other, Bikini Beach is a good option when the wind is howling.
2. Enjoy wine tasting and dining at ± 30 award-winning and historic
Somerset West wine estates. Enjoy the adjacent Stellenbosch and Elgin Wine routes.
3. Visit the KogelBerg Reserve and the Harold Porter Botanical gardens.
4. During the Cape Winter season (especially June to October), view Whales & Dolphins in False Bay and along the coastline to nearby Hermanus, acclaimed the world’s best land-based whale watching resort town.
5. Try your hand at fishing or boating.
6. Enjoy the magnificent Clarence Mountain Drive past picturesque
coastal holiday and fishing villages, commencing 15 minutes’ drive time from the Krystal Beach.
7. Visit Penguin Nature Reserve at Stony Point.
8. Visit the Elgin Valley and Bot River areas: view vineyards, apple and
pear orchards and beautiful mountains. This self-drive route offers spectacular photographic opportunities.
9. Lonely Planet recently listed Cape Canopy Tour (located in the Elgin
Valley near Grabouw, only 15 minutes from the Krystal Beach Hotel), and scale the rugged Hottentots Holland Mountains in the Cape Nature reserve of the same name. Lonely Planet has described it as “vertigo-tinged fun and an exciting aerial perspective.” Do so in the company of soaring eagles, surrounded by breath-taking Cape Fynbos panoramas and mountain-scape.
10. Play Golf at any one of several excellent courses, all within easy
reach of the Krystal Beach.
11. Take a quick drive to Cape Town: home to the V & A Waterfront, Robben Island Tours, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and Table Mountain’s Cable Car.
12. The Cheetah Outreach Research Station.
13. Monkey Town (the world of monkeys and primates).
14. Journey’s End Wine Estate has situated on the slopes of the Schapenberg boasting sweeping views of False Bay. The farm has been upgraded to a state-of-the-art boutique winery that consistently wins top awards. Along with producing exceptional wines, Journeys End has initiated remarkable programs to preserve the region's biodiversity and to uplift the local community. A wonderful way to explore the beautiful surroundings is on horseback through the vineyards.
15. Off Sir Lowry’s Pass Road is the magnificent restaurant and wine farm of Waterkloof. The restaurant and tasting area are architectural masterpieces designed to showcase the gorgeous views from every aspect. The estate is committed to biodynamic farming principles and in partnership with Onderkloof and Journey’s End estates; it offers Walks for Wine, a hiking trail with tastings. Proceeds from the walks go towards conserving biodiversity and preserving the rich fynbos heritage. The estate’s European style wines can be sampled in the restaurants stylish tasting lounge.
16. Onderkloof Estate wines are produced from grapes grown in the cooler Walker Bay regions; an area is known for some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa. The farm is perched on the slopes of Schapenberg with stunning views of False Bay as far as Cape Point. A former old stable is now the atmospheric tasting room and is warm and welcoming, as is the winemaker, Danie Truter. His wines are lovingly crafted in limited quantities.
17. About Crystal Springs Hike: this easy hike is a delightful adventure in a beautiful nature reserve. Follow the stream in the kloof (gully) between the mountains, past many crystal-clear pools. Stop along the way to enjoy indigenous fynbos, to swim or bathe the sunshine on the rocks. Stop and turn back when you feel you have gone far enough - each spot along the way is beautiful enough to be the destination. You will feel spiritually refreshed.
18. About Blue Rock Cable Water ski: an exciting and thrilling water activity awaits you at Blue Rock Lake. For a wild cable ski adventure, you won't have to travel far if you're in Cape Town. Blue Rock uses an overhead cable system with an electric motor which pulls users around the lake. This system is completely user-friendly and safe, as the water skiing is in a controlled area in addition to buoys and floating walkways which also separate activities. Skilled water ski instructors are always in attendance. The resort also offers diving facilities, volleyball, swimming, rock jumping and a kid’s playground.
19. Hike the Danie Miller Hiking Trail, right above our town, a short easy 3km walk to the GB sign on the mountain. During the flowering season, you might see the endangered Gordon's Bay Pincushion and you may even spot a leopard.
20. Gordon's Bay is the only town in South Africa with two working harbours.
21. Most beautiful sunsets in the world can be viewed from any of the 13 restaurants on our quaint Beach Road, or the restaurants at Habour Island, and they all have outside seating areas.
22. Kogel Bay Beach and Dappat se gat on Clarence Drive.
The Helderberg Nature Reserve with walking trails right to the top of the Helderberg Mountain.
23. The historic Lourensford, Vergelegen and Morgenster wine estates in Somerset West.
24. The Manor House and Millhouse, national monuments dating back to 1795, at Knorhoek Estate, just past Sir Lowry's Pass Village. The Millhouse still has its original stinkwood gear assembly inside.
A myriad of wedding venues within 15 minutes’ drive from the Krystal Beach Hotel, catering for all budgets and from 20 to 300 guests.
25. Horse, mountain bike and walking trails above Sir Lowrys Pass Village.
26. The Gantouw Pass, the original wagon crossing over the Hottentots Holland Mountains to the Overberg. The ruts on the rocks made by the wagon wheels can still be seen today.
27. The Steampunk Railway Market in Elgin, with a steam train from Cape Town to the market on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer and hopefully soon to pick up passengers at Knorhoek station as well.
28. The Lwandle Migrant Museum.
29. The beautiful and historic Sir Herbert Baker architecture at the Paardevlei precinct.