Struisbaai Luxury 4 bedroom house holiday rental

30/05/2019

ANOTHER HIKING TRAIL NEAR STRUISBAAI: RASPERPUNT HIKING TRAIL
More commonly known as the Agulhas walking trail, because it takes place within the Agulhas National Park, the Rasperpunt hike begins just west of the famous Agulhas lighhouse - the reason so many visitors come to L'Agulhas in

the first place.

Actually the Rasperpunt Hiking Trail is a circular trail that starts at the Meisho Maru shipwreck. Yes, it is a Japanese tuna ship that came aground in 1982, but one of very few without casualties, as all 17 members of the crew managed to swim to shore. The Rasperpunt trail is not very long, 5.5 kilometres in all, and one that takes you from the water's edge up to the top of the dune via rocky sea pools and wonderful dune fynbos.

The walk takes you via a few examples of original Khoi fish traps, roughly 1.5 kilometres into the hike, unless of course, you have chosen to do the hike during high tide, in which case you probably won't be able to get nearly as close to these incredible fish-catching devises. They're dams constructed across shallow gullies that catch the fish as the tide goes out.

A little further on is a fresh water fountain that seeps into the sea via a collection of reeds – worth knowing about, particularly if you are a shipwrecked sailor in these parts. Once you've managed your thirst, the trail leaves the seaside and heads up towards the dune ridge – the uphill is worth it for the views from the top. From up there you might also spot dolphins. Certainly during whale season – June to November – it is a wonderful whale viewing spot. The walk continues whilst you enjoy fynbos, sea birds and marine life as the trail doubles back to the starting point.

You can pick up a self-guide booklet from the tourist office at the Agulhas Lighthouse. An ideal day out would include the lighthouse, the southernmost tip of Africa, and the Rasperpunt Hiking Trail. ( credit sa venues )

23/05/2019

SOMETHING TO DO CLOSE TO STRUISBAAI : SPOOKDRAAI HIKING TRAIL

There is no secret behind the name of this hiking trail at Cape Agulhas.

There have been so many shipwrecks along this coastline that even if you do not believe in ghosts (spook) you would have to at least acknowledge the possibility that a fair number of discontented souls may well continue to wander up and down this coastline.

There are two stories in particular that you might hear told at L'Agulhas – the young woman who survived a shipwreck only to make it up to one of the caves where she died, and the man who was rather unpleasantly decapitated in an accident in the area, whose ghost too is said to roam. The woman who lived in the one of the limestone caves in the area is said to have the voice of an angel and beautiful hands.

Spookdraai is actually the name given to the entrance of the bay at Cape Agulhas. And the Spookdraai hiking trail takes in the historical landmarks and natural phenomenons of the area.

The Spookdraai hike begins and ends in the same spot and takes roughly two hours to complete, depending on how fast you want to walk. It also includes incredible fynbos, the vleis and bird life of the area. You can pick up a map from the Cape Aghulhas Tourist Bureau at the foot of the Cape Agulhas lighthouse.

The hike is well signposted from the entrance to L'Agulhas and fairly popular. There are roughly 28 different markers along the route to indicate your way, but the booklet adds to your walk tremendously as it gives al ittle description for each of the viewing points ( credit sa-venues.com )

23/05/2019

Struisbaai harbour is well known for its friendly Stingrays. The quaint little harbour, built in 1959, was deepened and enlarged in 1990 and is today used by both fishing and ski boats. Struisbaai harbour is home to at least two resident giant short-tail stingrays (Dasyatis brevicaudata). The rays are habituated to the sound of the returning fishing boats’ engines, and come out to investigate whether there are any scraps to be had. When you visit, remember to take a snack.

08/04/2019

08/04/2019

08/04/2019