If you are searching for the best things to do in Arniston, then you are on the right page! Arniston is a quaint little fishing community in the Western Cape’s gems!
South Africa, a magical location to be at surrounded by a turquoise-blue sea and endless white, sandy beaches, one which is sandwiched between two nature reserves (De Hoop and De Mond).
There are a whole lot of activities to embrace during your stay in this community, mostly as it concerns hanging out on its pristine sandy beaches.
Want to find out more about some of such activities to catch up with during your stay in the community, below has been highlighted 20 of such activities to engage with.
Fun Things To Do In Arniston, South Africa
1. Be part of the Walking tour of Kassiesbaai
Being part of the guided tour of taking a stroll around Kassiesbaai makes its way into our list of fun things to do in Arniston, a heritage site known for its whitewashed fishing houses and a magnificent national monument.
Why you should be part of this tour?
Here, visitors get to relieve the experience of exploring paraffin boxes (kissies) washed up on the beach, of which history has it on records that it was one that the fishermen back in those days used in building homes for themselves.
2. Check out the Monument of Arniston spa hotel
Paying a visit to the lodging facilities of Arniston spa hotel to set your sights on one of the oldest monuments in South Africa at large also do make our list of fun things to do in the area; one which does serves as a living testimony to the role of ships and shipwrecks in the history of the area.
What to expect?
Paying a visit to this hotel and resorts is basically to set your sight on one of the oldest monuments in South Africa which was erected in memory of the 372 victims of the wreck of the HMS Arniston.
Address: 1 Main Rd, Arniston, 7280, South Africa.
3. Stop by the Willeens Arts and Crafts restaurants
The Willeens arts and crafts restaurants present on the regional axis of Arniston serve a dual purpose that sees both its residents and visitors alike come shop for some souvenirs and eat the very best of its authentic dishes.
Fully open all days throughout the week, this arts and crafts restaurant is a one-stop-shop for the very best of craftworks and local dishes in high demand, which are based on the requests of tourists.
What do they offer?
Since it is primarily serving the purpose of a restaurant house, this art and craft restaurant has a meal menu made up of traditional dishes such as pickled fish, bobotie, fried prawns, calamari, mussels, fish pie, fish cakes, fresh bread, and more.
Address: C26 Kassiesbaai, Arniston, South Africa.
4. Appreciate nature’s beauty at Waenhuiskrans cave
Looking for a tourist attraction in Arniston to pay a visit to as a nature enthusiasts during your holiday or business trip in the area, well you might want to consider paying a visit to the natural wonder of Waenhuiskrans Cave.
Beautified by nature and surrounded around by shelf of rocks and seaside nests, this attraction has indeed got a sight to wonder at.
What other things does happens here?
The Waenhuiskrans cave also has an outside sitting area where one can sit and enjoy breathtaking ocean views and dunes.
5. Catch a much closer view of the Arniston Transport Shipwreck
The reman of the Arniston transport shipwreck is one of historic significance, of which members of this community do hold at high esteem for not too good reasons; having been the remnants of the shipwreck which happened over a century ago in the year 1815.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Arniston Spa Hotel, showing up here is to get to feel the experience of one of the darkest events in South Africa’s history, which witnessed over 378 passengers losing their lives.
What other item remains to been seen here?
There also exist a mountainous monument erected in significance to where The Arniston Transport came to its end, one which you would certainly want to set your sights on
6. Hangout at the Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve
The Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve is a tourist attracts in arniston distanced a little bit from the Waenhuiskrans cave aforementioned already; one location where you can stand at and still get to view the tidal cave.
Though it is also Worthy to note that both visitors and tourists are only encouraged to visit only during low tide, as it is as such time you can only get to walk up the spectacular cave and its surrounding beaches.
What to expect?
Here, visitors can choose to walk up the seaside dunes, explore the lighthouse, spot whales, or perhaps enjoy picnics as well.
7. Hangout at the Arniston harbor (slipway)
Since this is a fishing community that thrives mostly on fish farming, hanging out at the Arniston harbor to be on standby to welcome returning fishermen after long hours of fishing in the open sea is something thrilling and adventurous you might as well want to try out.
What should I expect?
This is an adventure which you can only but wish they have a successful outing and return with the very best of catch of which they mostly do offer for sale.
8. Enjoy yourself at Mien’s Tea Garden
The Mien’s Tea Garden is a gem of a restaurant in the Kassiesbaai fishing village of Arniston, known to be a friendly and gracious host as well as offering dishes that are out of this world, especially as it concerns its creamy garlic mussels or her lightly battered calamari.
It is indeed Worth paying a visit to this restaurant house, as it is one very destination to enjoy its delicacies of calamari, fish and burgers in a relaxed atmosphere; With additional benefit of showing up here being you can arrange for yourself as well as family and friends a big family celebratory lunch.
What do they offer?
The Miens tea garden does offer fresh and tasty Calamari, fish & burgers that are super delicious.
Address: 2 Dorp St, Arniston, South Africa.
9. Book your stay at the Dunes at Arniston
The Dunes at Arniston is a leisure hotel and conference centre in this town area of Arniston in South Africa, is one designed for as a beach-friendly romantic getaways for newly wedded couple’s looking forward to enjoying their honeymoon; though it also does function for family holidays and business breakaways.
It is one very hotel and resorts that has got its facilities set up to provide comfortable accommodation for its private guests, as well as cater for weddings, special occasions and business functions.
What services do they render?
The Dunes at Arniston do offer bookings to secure for yourself a guest house for vacations, conferences, or weddings.
Address: R316, Western Cape, South Africa, Arniston, 7280, South Africa.
10. Stop by at the Willeens restaurant
The Willeens restaurant is a little place in the fishing village of Arniston in South Africa, made famous for its tasty meals & dishes and excellent services, all offered at prices which are considered reasonable and affordable.
Just across the beach in Kassiesbaai is the destination you get to find this unique and charming eatery, of which you are at liberty to take a walk and settle for lunch of any of the tube dishes it has on its menu.
Why you should visit?
Here, visitors get to enjoy its excellent meals, which are reasonably priced, mostly coffee and real homemade slap chips, in a warm, homely, comfortable, eclectic, and authentic atmosphere.
Address: C26 kassiesbaai, Arniston, South Africa.
11. Enjoy the cruises on the Seaside dunes
The Seaside dunes share quite some similarities with the Atlantis dunes, just that, unlike the Atlantic dunes, they do not accommodate any form of 4×4 activities but are open to visitors enjoying surfing, building sandcastles, or just merely taking a walk.
What other things does happens here?
Here, visitors are at liberty to climb up to the highest point of these dunes, enjoying the beautiful sight and aerial view of Arniston at large.
Address: R316, Western Cape, South Africa, Arniston, 7280, South Africa.
12. Enjoy the seafood and steaks of Wanda’s Waenhuis Restaurant
The Wanda’s Waenhuis Restaurant is one situated downtown the fisherman’s village of Arniston, a very accommodative place to be for guests who are ushered in like prince and princess into its dining room covered around with tables; clean, tidy and charming.
Showing up here is basically to have a feel of the taste of its seafoods of fresh line fish cooked straight from the sea and served without any fuss, alongside spicey paella or steak instead of seafoods; all providing a food experience which feels earthy and authentic.
What other things do they offer?
This restaurant house has also got a little shop table of locally made preserves and gifts, for those looking for items to take back to their loved ones.
Address: Steenbras Ave, Arniston, South Africa.
13. Check out the traditional fishing trap in the area
The Coastline of Arniston is an open-film exploration for both its residents and visitors to come to check out the traditional fish traps of the Khoisan Strandlopers back in the day, one of which was used back then for fish hunting using submerged stone-built enclosures.
What to expect?
This traditional fishing trap, as of this moment, remains in existence, meaning you are at liberty to go explore. Who knows, you might also be lucky to find fish for a catch as well.
14. Enjoy the luxury of Arniston Spa Hotel
The Arniston Spa Hotel is a luxurious 4-star hotel and resort in an area of high demand, made up of over 60 luxurious en-suite rooms blessed with breathtaking sea views and panoramic views of the ocean.
Made famous for its touch of luxury, this is a world-class hotel that has its surroundings and environs elegantly decorated with fireplaces, a tranquil garden, and a swimming pool.
Why you should visit here?
This luxury hotel is surrounded by pristine beaches and nature reserves, meaning there are a whole lot of fun activities to catch up on and spend your leisure hours on.
Address: 1 Main Rd, Arniston, 7280, South Africa.
15. Enjoy your stay at the holiday home of Seabreeze
The Seabreeze Resorts and Hotel, just as its name insinuates, is a beachfront holiday home in the heart of Arniston, made up of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and more—a complete package to accommodate the whole family at large.
What to expect?
Staying over at the Seabreeze Beach front holiday home, visitors get to enjoy the comfort and feelings of being at home, which is made up of a balcony with garden views, a garden, a terrace, private parking, and complimentary WiFi.
Address: 25 Harbour St, Arniston, South Africa.
Other Things To Do Nearby Arniston
16. Visit the De Hoop Nature Reserve
The De Hoop is one of the largest natural areas managed by CapeNature, another ideal location you might as well want to consider visiting, should you fall under the category of hikers, cyclists, bird and whale watchers.
Made up of mostly wetlands, making it a marine reserve—one of the biggest in the country at large—this is a habitat for almost 100 aquatic bird species, most of which are migratory birds.
What to expect?
Here, visitors get to see for themselves the sea, dunes, vlei, fynbos plants, diverse antelope, and the Potberg Mountains.
Also, Read 20 Best & Fun Things To Do In Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
17. Spend quality time at De Mond Nature and Marine Reserve
The Demond Nature and Marine Reserve is flanked by the De Hoop Nature Reserve, right on the border space between the communities of Arniston and Struisbaai. This tourist destination also serves as a natural habitat for mammalian species such as steenbok, grysbok, grey, and caracal.
Being a reserve that embodies nature as a whole, it also serves as an ideal location to come to enjoy birdwatching, especially as it concerns catching the sights of South Africa’s most endangered coastal bird.
Why you should visit?
Aside from being a location to visit for bird lovers and plant enthusiasts, it has various hiking and cycling trails, should that be an adventure that interests you.
Address: R316, Die Mond Road, Bredasdorp, 7280, South Africa.
18. Check out the Meisho Maru Shipwreck
Next on our list of fun things to do in Arniston is another sight of shipwrecks since the regional area of Arniston is famous and popular for its numerous shipwrecks of the early explorers attempting to conquer the wild seas.
What to expect?
Here, visitors get to take a stroll during the period of low tides and walk up to the remnants of the meisho Maru that shipwrecked on November 16th, 1982, checking and exploring it out as it lingers in the shallow waters of the L’Agulhas coast.
19. Climb uphill the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
Mounted over a century ago in the year 1848, this second-oldest working lighthouse in South Africa, just a position behind the Green Point Lighthouse in Cape Town also makes our list of fun things to do in this surrounding area of Arniston.
Inspired by the designs of the ancient lighthouse of Pharos, which happens to be one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the world, this is a mountainous structure built from limestone and inserted with a radio transmitter to warn ships not to come too close to shore.
What to expect?
Here, visitors get to climb uphill to the Agulhas Lighthouse to enjoy the sensational views of the Indian Ocean and its surrounding areas at large.
Address: Lighthouse St. L’Agulhas, 7285, South Africa.
20. Check out the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp
The Bredasdorp Museum is a maritime museum that was designed primarily to document shipwrecks along the dangerous Southern Cape coast and their influence on the development of the Strandveld.
As of this present moment, it currently has on record, approximately 130 shipwrecks off the Southern Cape coast for the span of a period of over three centuries.
What to expect?
Here, visitors get to go through its insights and documents of the rich history of the area, as well as read up on history, which it has termed the “Graveyard of the Ships.”.
Address: Independent St., Bredasdorp, 7280, South Africa.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this community of Arniston is situated in the southernmost tip of Africa where two oceans meet; a seaside village that has been in existence for over two centuries and is made famous for its active fishing activities upon which its residents survive.
