Pienaar Strand

About Pienaar Strand

The Garden Route is one of South Africa's most visually spectacular areas. It connects the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape, and is characterised by rivers, valleys, mountains, and, of course, gorgeous beaches. Pienaar Strand is just one of these beaches, but certainly makes an impression for its impressive expanses and tranquil conditions.

It is peaceful and quiet. The long stretches of white sand are seldom littered with tourists, and the temperate waters of the Indian Ocean are usually shared mostly with dolphins and whales, rather than with hordes of people. Being situated in the Great Brak River area, just outside Mossel Bay, means that it is still easily accessible, although it remains serenely uncongested.

Pienaar Strand is often visited by the local dolphins, which leap out of the water playfully or surf the waves for fun. Between July and December, humpback whales, southern right whales and, occasionally, even orcas, can be seen passing the coast. When the feeling takes them, they may leap out of the water and come crashing down in a powerful display of their proportions. Sometimes, seals can also be seen having fun in the warmer, shallower seas. Visitors love to stand or lie on the soft sands and watch these mammals and their playful antics.

The beach is also perfect for long strolls or a game of bat-and-ball or Frisbee.

Great Brak is about an hour from the scenic lagoon town of Knysna, and just a few minutes from the busy, historical town of Mossel Bay. Further afield, Cape Town and its international airport are about five or six hours away.