Self-Guided Walks Around Gansbaai

Trails, Not Tours

No company offers a guided walking tour of Gansbaai, so everything below is a trail you walk yourself. The routes are straightforward, and the main planning job is logistics: transport, water, wind protection and good footwear. Stay well back from rocks and edges, because the sea along this coast has strong currents and rips. Carry enough water for the whole route, and tell someone where you are going when you set off on the longer coastal trail.

Duiwelsgat Trail

  • Distance: about 7 km, one way.
  • Route: from the Perlemoenbaai or camping site end near Gansbaai to De Kelders and Klipgat.
  • Time: around 3 hours.
  • Return: the trail ends somewhere other than where it starts, so arrange a lift back.
  • On the way: Duiwelsgat, a walled sinkhole, and a tidal pool.

De Kelders Cliff Path

This is a free path above the village, and you can walk as little or as much of it as you like. It is the best place for whale watching on foot: southern right whales come close to the cliffs roughly June to November, and some operators say into December.

Platbos Forest

  • Entry: R50 for adults and R20 for children, paid into an honesty box at the Info Hut.
  • Hours: 08:00 to 17:00 every day, public holidays included. No booking is needed.
  • Rules: no dogs.
  • Loops: 1 to 2.5 hours, with the Reforestation Trail adding about 30 minutes.
  • The forest: the operator describes it as the southernmost forest in Africa, with trees over 1,000 years old.

Walker Bay Nature Reserve

CapeNature runs the reserve and charges from R70 for adults and R50 for children aged 4 to 17 for day access. The gates are open 07:00 to 19:00. Since 2 February 2026 payment is by card or mobile only, and you can pre-book on capenature.co.za. At the De Kelders gate, a boardwalk with some rock-hopping leads into Klipgat Cave.

Gansbaai Market

On Saturdays from 09:00 the market opens at Market Space on Kapokblom Street, which suits a short stroll. Confirm it is running with Gansbaai Tourism.

Places You Cannot Walk

Visitors cannot land or hike on Dyer Island or Geyser Rock. Both are reserves, seen only from a licensed boat.

Read more: Gansbaai sightseeing for the cave and lighthouse, or activities for boat trips and the penguin sanctuary.

See the Duiwelsgat trail notes , the Platbos trail page and the CapeNature tariff page , and look for guided activities on Viator .