Betty's Bay- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Betty's Bay, a coastal village on South Africa's Western Cape some 96 km southeast of Cape Town along the scenic R44 (Clarence Drive), lies tucked between the Kogelberg Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The village spans over 13 km of rugged shoreline and forms part of the UNESCO‑designated Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, celebrated for its staggering fynbos diversity—with over 1,600 endemic plant species thriving in this Mediterranean‑influenced climate. Outdoor experiences center on the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden—often referred to informally as "little Kirstenbosch"—where curated gardens, waterfalls, and mountain trails reveal proteas, ericas and restios set amidst natural fynbos escarpments. Along the nearby shoreline at Stony Point Nature Reserve lies one of only two mainland African penguin colonies, established on the ruins of a former whaling station (active from 1912 to the 1930s); visiting boardwalks provide close observation of these endangered seabirds in a protected marine reserve. Additional natural highlights include sandboarding atop the 230 m Silver Sands dune and seasonal whale‑watching (especially southern right whales) between June and November off its beaches.