Gansbaai Tourism Bureau is an information centre that provides tourists with information on Gansbaai and the surrounding area.
Gansbaai home to the Marine – Big 5 has much to offer visitors – from hiking trails to shark cage diving, whale-watching and boat trips. Gansbaai also offers good quality accommodation facilities, ranging from self-catering to luxury B&B’s.
Gansbaai is a fishing village with a relaxed atmosphere that offers some of the finest boat and land-based whale watching in the world. From the spectacular cliffs of De Kelders, one can literally see the markings on the heads of the Southern Right Whales that come to the coast to mate, calve and nurse their young between July and December. Whales can be seen breaching and lob tailing as close as 20m from the shore, or cruising close to boats to satisfy their curiosity.
Dyer Island and Geyser Rock is another must-see for visitors to Gansbaai. It is home to an incredible variety of marine life – including Cape Fur Seals and the African Penguine. Between the island and the rock lies ‘shark alley’, where the mysterious and graceful Great White Sharks roam, having drawn visitors from across the globe. This is one of the few places in the world where one can cage dive with these magnificent animials.
The Duiwelsgat Hiking Trail offers 7km walk along limestone and sandstone cliffs with coastal Fynbos and historical caves. In town are a wide variety of restaurants and interesting shops. Visit the Starndveld Museum in Franskraal and the lighthouse at Danger Point.
Close to Gansbaai lies the quaint historical village of Baardskeerdersbos. Apart from the traditional cattle farms and horsesteads, bright-green vineyards and multicoloured flowerfarms mark the landscape. Baardskeerdersbos is also home to several pristine and rare fynbos habitats of the original Cape Floral Kingdom. A new trend is that of wine-making, which is presently carried out on a small scale. In addition, some residents are making olive oil and preparing table olives.
Along the coast near Gansbaai are the coastal resorts of Kleinbaai, Franskraal, Uilenkraalsmond, Pearly Beach and Buffeljags. These areas offer walking, bird-watching, beaches and other recreation.
Annual events:
- February: Lighthouse to Lighthouse Mountain Bike Race;
- 26 February: Birkenhead Commemoration;
- March: Baardskeerdersbos Bazaar;
- April: Baardskeerdersbos Art Route;
- October: Baardskeerdersbos Skaapkop Ete & Baardskeerdersbos Art Route;
- December: Summer Welcome Champaign, Christmas Market, Christmas Lights Switched On, Big 2 Town Music Festival, Carols By Candle Light, Vissermans Dankseggingsdiens;
- 31 December: Dangerpoint Half Marathon.
