Fish Hoek, Tokai, Noordhoek, Stellenbosch, Onrus, Strand, Somerset West, Simon's Town, Gordon's Bay, Cederberg, Kleinmond, Betty's Bay, Hermanus, Muizenberg, Grabouw
Located on the shores of False Bay in the Western Cape, Pringle Bay is best known for the Hangklip (hanging rock) that juts out to sea and marks the eastern end of False Bay. It’s a quiet seaside village, occupied by a small community and with many of the beach houses shuttered during the off season, purchased both as a holiday home and wise investment for the owners.
At the entrance to Pringle Bay is a pristine fynbos (fine bush) forest, the natural flora watered by moisture driven off the sea. Here, baboons and other wildlife are protected and venturing further inland, one might be treated to a Cape leopard sighting.
The nearby Hangklip Mountain at 484m above sea level is packed with numerous natural caves and was once a refuge for bandits and slaves escaping their Dutch masters, hence the mountain cave being famously named “Drostersgat” - Deserters Cave. In the 1890’s skeletons were found in these caves, along with the remains of game and evidence of fires.
Although Pringle Bay is on the scenic route between Cape Town and Hermanus, it’s a short detour off the road, making it a great place to de-stress and to appreciate the coast, and to watch the whales and dolphins regularly frequenting False Bay.
Top 6 reasons to visit Pringle Bay
1. Take a walk on the sparsely populated beach to reach the unmanned lighthouse. Watch as the fisherman return in their trawlers stocked with the day’s catch or see if you can spot whales offshore.
2. Head over to the Hangklip Hotel where regular music acts keep patrons entertained. Meet the locals and sample the fresh crayfish collected by local divers from surrounding kelp beds. The hotel hosts an annual trance party attended by visitors from all across the Cape.
3. Visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens in nearby Betty’s Bay to stroll through the pretty... Show more
