About Kleinbaai

Kleinbaai, Cape Overberg

The appealing little village of Kleinbaai has suffered the unmerited disadvantage of being the smaller of two towns that lie at Danger Point Peninsula, where shark diving and whale watching are world-renowned draw cards.

As a result Kleinbaai, which is only 6 kilometres from the ‘big two' town of Gansbaai, is relatively unknown, although its position amongst milkwood trees, fragrant heather and summer wild flowers means it is by far the prettier of the two.

Kleinbaai lies at the Danger Point Peninsula proper and is possibly the main reason for Gansbaai's popular nature-based tourism. It is from the natural harbour of Kleinbaai that shark-diving boats leave with cages that allow visitors to get ‘up close and personal' with Great Whites (Carcharodon Carcharias) that frequent these waters in such vast numbers.

The area of water between the mainland and Dyer Island is commonly referred to as ‘shark alley' attributable to the 50 000 seals that colonise this island and understandably attract sharks, although it is not sharks alone that make a visit to Kleinbaai enticing.

Kleinbaai has a wonderful tidal pool perfect for children, and a golf course with a sea view, which means that many families prefer the little village. There is a gravel road connecting Kleinbaai along the rugged coast with a number of other little rock pools ending at the lighthouse at Danger Point. This track makes a wonderful hike and, because it is unsuitable even for rugged 4X4s, is generally peaceful.

This area is regarded as one of the best whale-watching sites in the world, which is a further reason for visiting between June and December. Licensed boats are allowed to approach within 50 metres of whales and it is not unusual to find oneself wet from the spray of their blowholes!