Struisbaai
Encyclopedia
Struisbaai is a coastal settlement in the Overberg
region of South Africa
's Western Cape
province. The town is two hours South from Cape Town
in the Cape Agulhas Local Municipality
within the Overberg District
, and four kilometers from the southernmost point of the African continent
at Cape Agulhas
.
The town is an old fishing village which for many years sported a beautiful natural harbour. Some development has taken place since then but Struisbaai is still relatively untouched by the rigours of over-development. Many fishermen still reside in this settlement but it is now known better for its leisure activities, which include fishing, horseriding, hiking, paintball, quadbiking and diving.
Struisbaai also hosts the anual Geelstertfees (Yellowtail festival) revolving around foodstalls, artists and musical performers. Visitors can walk around the harbour and see the traditional fishermen bringing home their catch and buy fresh fish.
There is some debate as to the origin of the name "Struisbaai". Some authorities believe that it means "straw bay", referring to the thatch roofs of the fishermen’s cottages here. Others claim the name is derived from the Dutch "struisvogel"/ Afrikaans "volstruis" - which translates as ostrich
in English, apparently many of the local farmers kept these birds on their farms. According to legend however, Struisbaai is named for the size of its beach - an old Dutch word for "huge" which would not be surprising since Struisbaai does sport the longest natural beach in the Southern Hemisphere which stretches for a total of 14 kilometers.
Private Website about Struisbaai
Overberg
Overberg is a district in South Africa to the east of Cape Town beyond the Hottentots-Holland mountains. It lies along the Cape Province's south coast between the Cape Peninsula and the region known as the Garden Route in the east...
region of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
's Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
province. The town is two hours South from Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
in the Cape Agulhas Local Municipality
Cape Agulhas Local Municipality
Cape Agulhas Municipality is a municipality located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. As of 2001, the population was 26,182. Its municipality code is WC033.- Government :...
within the Overberg District
Overberg District Municipality
The Overberg District Municipality is a district municipality located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Its municipality code is DC3.- Adjacent municipalities :*Cape Winelands District Municipality *Eden District Municipality...
, and four kilometers from the southernmost point of the African continent
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
at Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas is a rocky headland in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is the geographic southern tip of Africa and the official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The town is an old fishing village which for many years sported a beautiful natural harbour. Some development has taken place since then but Struisbaai is still relatively untouched by the rigours of over-development. Many fishermen still reside in this settlement but it is now known better for its leisure activities, which include fishing, horseriding, hiking, paintball, quadbiking and diving.
Struisbaai also hosts the anual Geelstertfees (Yellowtail festival) revolving around foodstalls, artists and musical performers. Visitors can walk around the harbour and see the traditional fishermen bringing home their catch and buy fresh fish.
There is some debate as to the origin of the name "Struisbaai". Some authorities believe that it means "straw bay", referring to the thatch roofs of the fishermen’s cottages here. Others claim the name is derived from the Dutch "struisvogel"/ Afrikaans "volstruis" - which translates as ostrich
Ostrich
The Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
in English, apparently many of the local farmers kept these birds on their farms. According to legend however, Struisbaai is named for the size of its beach - an old Dutch word for "huge" which would not be surprising since Struisbaai does sport the longest natural beach in the Southern Hemisphere which stretches for a total of 14 kilometers.
External links
- For pictures of Struisbaai, see http://www.flickr.com/groups/agulhas_struisbaai/
Private Website about Struisbaai