5 coastal villages in the Western Cape with more than just a beach

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The Western Cape is known for its rugged coastlines and blue-flag beaches, but some of its smaller coastal villages offer more than sand and sea. These are places where nature, culture, and character come together almost perfectly. Here are five Western Cape coastal villages that punch above their weight…

1. Betty’s Bay, Western Cape – Penguins and botanical wonders

While tourists mob Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town for penguins, locals know that Stony Point in Betty’s Bay is quieter and just as charming. This coastal village, a former whaling station, is now a haven for African penguins. Betty’s Bay is also home to the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, which showcases indigenous fynbos and waterfalls in a dramatic mountain setting. It’s a place where coastal life meets ecological richness.

Penguins in Betty’s Bay. Image: canva

2. Kleinmond, Western Cape – Where art, nature, and whales meet

Part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Kleinmond is more than a scenic stop. The town is surrounded by fynbos-covered mountains and estuaries rich in birdlife. The Kleinmond Art Route showcases local creatives, and the harbour area is full of small galleries and quirky shops. In season (right now!), you can spot southern right whales just offshore, sometimes from your café seat. This coastal village is where wild meets cultivated!

3. Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) – History in the sandstone

Arniston is a working fishing village with deep roots. The coastal village is named after a shipwreck from 1815, and its other name, Waenhuiskrans, refers to a sea cave large enough to house an ox wagon. You can explore the cave at low tide, but the real draw is the Kassiesbaai fishing village, a national heritage site. With its preserved thatched cottages and community stories, it feels like a living museum.

Sandstone shelves in Arniston. Image: canva

4. Elands Bay – Surf, rock art, and solitude

Elands Bay is a paradise for surfers and off-the-grid seekers. It’s also a hotspot for history. The nearby Baboon Point caves contain ancient San rock art and archaeological evidence of early human life. Birdwatchers flock to the Verlorenvlei estuary, one of the country’s largest natural wetlands. Elands Bay has a rough-edged charm – dusty roads, cold beers, and sunsets that feel like a secret.

5. Paternoster, Western Cape – For foodies and photographers

Paternoster isn’t just one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast – it’s also become a culinary destination. The whitewashed cottages and wild Atlantic waves in this coastal village set the scene, but it’s the food that steals the show. Chef Kobus van der Merwe’s restaurant Wolfgat, internationally acclaimed for its hyper-local, foraged cuisine, put Paternoster on the global map. The nearby Columbine Nature Reserve and Cape Columbine Lighthouse also offer hiking and photography opportunities far from the typical beach crowd.