[South Africa] Garden Route (Kite-/Surfing Edition)

[Fabian]

Need some inspiration for your road trip in South Africa? Check out our family route on the map, offering a fantastic mix of kitesurfing, surfing and sightseeing.

For us, Big Bay was the perfect kick-off point for our South African adventure. It's near Cape Town, safe and you can rent accommodations right at one of Cape Town's prime spots. The location is ideal for surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and winging. I've already shared a detailed spot review in the spot section.

NiceToKnow before your journey

• CapeTown No-Go Areas
• Load Shedding and Prepaid Electricity
• Mobile Internet in South Africa

CapeTown Area
From Big Bay, you can check out loads of cool spots in and around Cape Town. Take a look at some highlights below:

• Boschendal Vine Estate
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  Boschendal Wine Estate is one of our top spots in the Cape Town area (even though we're not big wine fans). This wine estate is like a mini paradise, perfect for families or just chilling with mates. Apart from tucking into tasty meals at different restaurants, there's loads to check out. We really vibed with the laid-back atmosphere, and our little one had fun with the free-roaming chickens.
  
  Next to the restaurants, there's a farm shop where you can snag all sorts of homemade goodies like honey, wine, bread and more. On top of that, the Wine Estate offers guided tours or the option to cruise around the property on bikes. The food at their on-site restaurant is the best we've had in South Africa.
  
  Boschendal Wine Estate is a spot we're keen to hit up again and again!
  

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• Afrikaanse Taalmonument
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• Waterfront, Cape Town
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  The Waterfront Shopping Centre is the biggest shopping spot in the Cape Town area. If you've got a day with rubbish weather or no breeze, it's worth a look. Besides all the shops, there are some nice restaurants with a view of the harbour. Just a heads up, the waitstaff can be a bit cheeky about tips, so make sure you're not being taken for a ride and double-check the amount you're putting into the cash machine.
  
  Public Parking possibility (100m away)
• RED Roof bar
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  The RED Roof Bar is a insider spot a the Waterfront Shopping Centre. Nestled on top of a hotel, it offers the ultimate view and you can relish some tasty homemade drinks. There's even the chance to dip into the pool, although we haven't done it.
  
  Public Parking possibility (400m away)
  
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• Table Mountain
• Signal Hill Table Mountain Frame
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  Signal Hill is an incredibly beautiful viewpoint in Cape Town. From there, you can not only paraglide but also enjoy a splendid view of Cape Town. Unlike Table Mountain, you can also experience the sunset here, as you can park directly on Signal Hill. (Please, however, consider my no-go area recommendations to avoid accidentally entering a township on your way back.)
• Clay Cafe Hout Bay
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  The Clay Cafe in Hout Bay is a little oasis in the midst of Hout Bay. Lovingly crafted pottery is made there. What's unique about this cafe/restaurant is that you can not only order delicious food but also create your own clay memories. Please note that the firing process for your artworks can take up to 3 weeks. So, if you want to take something home, it's advisable to visit the Clay Cafe relatively early.
  

Garden Route

• Boulders Pinguin Beach
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  Boulders Penguin Beach is a massive attraction located south of Cape Town. This beach is home to a penguin colony that can be visited. On a wooden boardwalk, it is possible to stand right in the middle of the colony and observe the penguins in their daily activities. However, the beach itself is set up like a small zoo. You need to purchase entrance tickets, and on weekends, it can get very crowded. Personally, I recommend exploring Boulders Penguin Beach, perhaps in conjunction with Cape of Good Hope, in a single day. Besides the penguin colony, there isn't much else to see, so even if you take your time, you'll have seen everything in about 60 minutes at most.
• Garden Route Game Lodge
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• The Flying Penguin Cafe
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  The Flying Penguin Cafe is more than just a cafe, and, in fact, the cafe is only a side note. It's primarily an rescue center for penguins. You'll be guided by the volunteers and can observe various penguins, from large to very small. It's a truly wonderful experience, especially if you have children with you. The cafe's earnings are reinvested in the facility, so I recommend ordering something there. While we were there, they had delicious homemade cake.
  

Our favourite Spots

• Blouberg - Big Bay - Kite-/Surfing (Reviewed)
• Langebaan Mainbeach - Kitesurfing (Reviewed)
• Shark Bay - Kitesurfing
• Misty Cliffs - Kitesurfing
• Scarborough - Surfing
• Hermanus - Kitesurfing
• Port Elizabeth - Surfing