Stilbaai

Stilbaai, also known as the Bay of Sleeping Beauty, is a town along the southern coast of South Africa about four hours by car from Cape Town. It is part of the Hessequa Local Municipality in the Western Cape province. Alternate spellings of the town's name include Still Bay.

Stilbaai
Stilbaai, with the Dutch Reformed Church in Stilbaai West, looking east
Stilbaai, with the Dutch Reformed Church in Stilbaai West, looking east
Stilbaai is located in Western Cape
Stilbaai
Stilbaai
Stilbaai is located in South Africa
Stilbaai
Stilbaai
Stilbaai is located in Africa
Stilbaai
Stilbaai
Coordinates: 34°22′06″S 21°24′40″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
DistrictGarden Route
MunicipalityHessequa
Area
[1]
 • Total25.48 km2 (9.84 sq mi)
Highest elevation
18 m (59 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total3,514
 • Density140/km2 (360/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African3.5%
 • Coloured3.2%
 • Indian/Asian0.1%
 • White92.3%
 • Other0.8%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Afrikaans84.5%
 • English13.7%
 • Other1.8%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
6674
PO box
6674
Area code028

The town is one of the most visited coastal destinations within South Africa, and home to many travellers experiences. The Goukou River and warm Indian Ocean are some of the most prominent natural features. As part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the town also holds great Fynbos diversity.

The Tuin-Op-Die-Brak Fynbos Park, is home to indigenous Fynbos plants, and a braille trail, for the visually impaired. The Inverroche Distillery, an internationally known gin brand, has its brand house in Stilbaai and is a testament to the diversity of Fynbos, as all their gin is Fynbos inspired.

The tourism profile of Stilbaai is diverse, with many restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, travellers routes and hiking trails on offer. The Kasselshoop Cheese facility, offers cheese tasting and pairing at the Old School Tasting Room.

One of the most unique experiences, is the feeding of tame Eels at the Stilbaai Tourism Office and the Stilbaai Museum of Archaeology, housed within the same building.

History

Stilbaai is host to a number of interesting archaeological sites, including ancient fish traps thought to have been built by early ancestors of the Khoi people of the Southern Cape, and a shell landfill that has been carbon dated to around 1000 BC.

Another archaeological site is situated in a group of caves at Blombos cave, about 12 kilometres from Stilbaai. Artifacts found at Blombos have been carbon dated to around 77,000 BP, making it the oldest known human settlement today.

Geography

Climate

Stilbaai has a temperate climate and receives almost the same amount of rainfall in all four seasons, with peaks in autumn and spring. Temperature averages between 20 and 28 °C in the summer and between 12 and 20 °C in the winter. Rainfall is 639.2 mm per annum on average.[2]

Parks and greenspace

Stilbaai owns a large selection of nature reserves. To the east is Pauline Bohnen Nature Reserve, a large reserve with various hiking routes. The Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve is situated near the harbour and reaches up to the "Noordkapperpunt" fishponds. The Geelkrants Nature Reserve is situated next to the "Pulpit".

  • A view of the Goukou River that separates the eastern and western halves of Stilbaai.
    A view of the Goukou River that separates the eastern and western halves of Stilbaai.
  • Stilbaai, viewed from the lookout above the harbour.
    Stilbaai, viewed from the lookout above the harbour.

See also

References
  1. "Main Place Stilbaai". Census 2011.
  2. Die Burger 1996. Visited 7 January 2012
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