Family Days in Gansbaai: Beach, Forest, Market

Easy Wins With Children

Gansbaai has plenty for families, listed here from free and short to longer and paid.

Penguin Sanctuary in Kleinbaai

  • Free entry, open daily from 09:00 to 16:00.
  • Penguin feeding for the public at 15:00 every day.
  • It rescues and rehabilitates African penguins and seabirds, so the birds on show change, and a particular bird is never certain.
  • Donations are welcome and support the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, which runs the place.

Stanford’s Cove, De Kelders

The cove is sheltered, with a lawn, swings, toilets and outdoor showers, and the rock pools suit children who are watched closely. Stay within reach of any child in the water, since the coast beyond the cove has cold water and strong currents. The tidal pool on Kus Weg in Perlemoenbaai is another gentle spot. Do not plan swims at Kleinbaai Harbour, which is a working harbour.

Boat Trips

The Marine Big 5 trip with Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours leaves from Kleinbaai and takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. Seals, penguins and dolphins are on the route, and whales come in season, roughly June to November.

  • Under 5: free.
  • Child under 12: R1,725 for international visitors, R864 for South African citizens.
  • Add the R150 conservation fee per person.
  • Dress warmly, because it is windy and cold on the water.

Cage diving has child prices too, at R2,070 international and R1,188 South African for under 12s. It is breath-hold diving from a surface cage in cold water, so ask the operator whether your child is ready before you book.

Platbos Forest

The operator calls Platbos the southernmost forest in Africa, with trees over 1,000 years old. The charge is R50 for an adult and R20 for a child, put in an honesty box at the Info Hut. Opening hours are 08:00 to 17:00 daily, public holidays included, with no booking needed. Leave dogs at home. Loops take 1 to 2.5 hours, so choose a short one with small children.

Market and Museum

  • The Gansbaai Market meets on Saturdays from 09:00 at Market Space, Kapokblom Street. Check with Gansbaai Tourism that it is running.
  • The Strandveld Museum at Franskraal is a private museum with a collection of Birkenhead relics. Phone 028 388 2414 for its hours and fee.

Not Suitable for Children

  • Grootbos tours: guests must be 12 or older.
  • Dyer Island and Geyser Rock: no landing, hiking or kayaking, so view them only from a licensed boat.

Read more: Gansbaai activities for the full range, or walking tours for easy trails.

Look for family boat trips on GetYourGuide , and read the Platbos trail page and the Marine Big 5 site .