Couples in Gansbaai: Lodges, Whales, Wine
What Suits Two
Couples come to Gansbaai for scenery and calm: whales off the cliffs, a very old forest, a wine estate beside a dam and a botanical reserve. The drive from Cape Town is about 160 to 165 km, or 2 to 2.5 hours, and a stay of two or three nights fits well. Prices are in rand (R).
Where to Stay
Grootbos Garden Lodge and Forest Lodge. These luxury lodges sit on the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve beside the R43. Rates come as packages and vary, so request a quote. Horse riding is a lodge-guest activity and is not part of the public tours.
Platbos Forest. Off-grid tented suites for two, the Honey Bee Suite and the Bush Buck Suite, sit among the trees. The Old Olive Cabin has a hot tub. Bookings are made through Nightsbridge.
Whale Cove, De Kelders. A set of self-catering apartments, not a hotel. Some have balcony whale views from June to November. Rates depend on the unit.
Things to Do Together
Grootbos tours. The Botanical Art Gallery Tour is R300 per person, lasts two hours and runs from 10:00 to 12:00 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It is indoors, so it works on a wet day. The Florilegium Half Day Tour is longer, at about 4.5 hours from 09:30 on Wednesday to Sunday, and costs R1,250 per person for South African residents or R1,950 for international guests. It brings a 4x4 botanical safari, a gallery stop and a light high tea. Advance booking is essential, groups are capped at 10 and guests must be 12 or older.
Lomond Wine Estate. The estate on Avoca Road, about 8 km from town, has a tasting room overlooking a dam. It opens daily from 10:00 to 16:00 and closes on 25 December and 1 January. The platters feature Stonehouse cheese, cured meats and trout from the dam. Ask the estate about tasting and platter prices.
Cliff-top whale watching. The cliff path at De Kelders costs nothing. Southern right whales come close roughly from June to November.
Platbos trails. The forest is open to day visitors from 08:00 to 17:00 at R50 per adult, with trees the operator says are over 1,000 years old.
Safety on the Coast
The sea here has cold water and strong currents that cause drownings. If you want to paddle, use Stanford’s Cove, which is sheltered. Do not drive after dark between your lodging and dinner.
Read more: Gansbaai multi-day trips for a complete plan, or sightseeing for daytime stops.
Search places to stay on Booking.com , and read about the Lomond estate , the Platbos suites and the Grootbos tours .