Betty’s Bay

General Information:

Betty’s Bay is situated along the scenic Clarence Drive Route. Formerly, a whaling station, is now home to the beautiful Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, situated within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, the first and only Biosphere in South Africa to be proclaimed by United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Betty\’s Bay area is not only renowned for its magnificent floral kingdom, but it\’s also home to one of only three breeding colonies on the mainland in South Africa. The Jackass Penguin Colony at Stony Point can be viewed from a viewing platform and the penguins are best seen in the late afternoon when they return from their day’s fishing. An interesting fact is the Speniscus demersus, (African Penguin) is one of 18 species worldwide, and the only penguin specie that breeds around African coasts.

In Betty\’s Bay at Stony Point, the remains of the Old Whaling station, which was in operation from 1912 to 1930, can still be seen. In 1976 South Africa signed the treaty to ban whaling and the big mammals are making a come back. Each year, Southern Right and Humpback whales migrate into our coastal waters to calve and nurse their young. These gentle giants provide unsurpassed whale watching opportunities between May and December. Stony Point is known to be a local and tourist hotspot for land-based whale watching.

Betty\’s Bay is one of the four towns that make up the Hangklip-Kleinmond area. This unique area is also referred to as “Where Whales Play & Wild Flowers Bloom” Experience a place that offers something of interest for everyone!

Major Attractions:

Visit the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens. Enjoy lovely walks in the garden or visit the restaurant for light meals and drinks. Plants can be bought at the nursery and souvenirs at the gift shop. Don’t forget to visit the art galley, situated within the gardens.

Visit the old whaling station at Stony Point. Ruins of the Old Whaling Station, which was in operation from 1913 to 1930, can be seen near the parking area at Stony Point.

Visit the Jackass Penguin Colony at Stony Point. Here you can experience viewing a unique land-based colony. This penguin colony is one of two breeding colonies on the mainland in South Africa.

Visit the Art Route Gallery. Visitors will find unique paintings, sculptures and other crafts on display by local and well know artists.

Explore the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The first biosphere in South Africa to be proclaimed by UNESCO. It includes the whole Hangklip-Kleinmond area. It is often referred to as being the ‘heart of the fynbos kingdom’. It is home to 1 600 different fynbos species.