Quick Facts: St Helena Bay & Shelley Point
- Bird watching
- St Helena Bay
- Die Vishuis
- Dolphin and whale watching
- Fauna and Flora
- Shelley Point Hotel, Spa & Country Club
- Vasco da Gama Memorial
Distance to Airport: 160
Distance to City: 2
Introducing St Helena Bay & Shelley Point
St Helena Bay on South Africa's West Coast in the Western Province includes the villages of Shelley Point, Stompneus Village, Sandy point, Klein Koornhuis & Laingville. Whites sandy beaches strech for miles in both directions. Shelly Point itself is dotted with white washed fishing huts and makes for an idylic setting.
St Helena was discovered by the Portugese in 1497 and it is fed by the nutrient-rich Benguela current, the waters teem with marine life, which provides the livelihood for the locals fisherman. The harbour at Sandy Point bustles with local fishermen as they haul in the the day's catch.
Southern Right whales return here to mate and calve annually and St Helena Bay is home to the endemic Heaviside's dolphin, classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN Red List, and Humpback and Killer whales, amongst other cetacean species. It is also the southernmost point for the Palearctic migratory birds from northern Europe and Siberia, making it a bird-watcher's paradise.
After good rains, the fields are covered in the bright colours of myriad spring flowers, making it a great winter destination. Its pristine beaches are great to explore and the waters await the aquasport enthusiasts. This 31km stretch of beautiful coastline is home to 18 bays, three working harbours, magnificent beaches and rock formations. This beautiful region of South Africa can be reached within only 90 minutes by car from Cape Town. St Helena is nature lovers paradise and ideal for those seeking quite tranquility.