Streched out over a rugged coastline and tucked in snugly on a narrow strip of land between the mountain and ocean, the village of Betty's Bay spans roughly twelve kilometers in distance. Sparsly dotted with homes in the Sunny Seas area closest to Kleinmond, most of the inhabitants reside in the Silversands area towards the East, closer to Pringle Bay.
Betty's Bay forms part of the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom and the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. An anmazing aray of Lowland Fynbos and Wetlands plants can be found here even amongst the most densely developed erven.
Betty's Bay is undoubtably one of the world's richest sites of plant diversity.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
Stretching from the mountain top to the coast, the garden
encompasses some two hundred hectares of pristine, natural Fynbos of which only
ten hectares have been landscaped. The expert layout has ensured a tranquil setting with lots of private nooks & crannies within the cultivated section of the garden with manicured lawns that are great for picnics. There is amongst others a garden with medicinal and other useful plants on display, an Eco-systems walk including a Dune garden, and a Wetlands section. Several
nature trails have been provided which allow scenic views of mountains and coastline. The Circular route is wheelchair and stroller friendly. The Disa Kloof
(gorge)
walk offers a lovely shetered 45 minute stroll through indigenous forest that eventually reaches a waterfall. Red Disa orchids occur here during late January. Leopard's Kloof is another popular walk up the right-hand ravine of the mountain. The duration is roughly two hours and require a permit & key obtainable at the entrance to the Garden. The route follows a stream through an unspoiled mountain forest which has been unchanged for thousands of years. The walk leads past two smaller waterfalls and finally reaches a deep, tranquil pool which is the base of the Leopard's Kloof waterfall. Bathing is not allowed. Indigenous plants are for sale at the nursery adjacent to the Restaurant and Gift Shop.
The Lakes
Betty's Bay boasts several marshes and small lakes. Unique to South Africa for being so-called "black water lakes", the lakes are filled with fresh water dicoloured by Fynbos compounds dissolved in the high mountain catchments. Many of the smaller lakelets are situated on private land but the largest three are open to the public and situated in the Silversands area. The big lakes support a rich variety of fresh water fish, bird life, Cape terrapins and frogs. The endangered Micro Frog may occur here. From a recreational point Malkopsvlei (crazy in the head lake!), also known locally as Bass Lake might seem like the most important as it is a great site for picnics. The water is unfortunately often contaminated and can sadly not be recommended for bathing. Rondevlei (Circular Lake) and Grootwitvlei (Big white lake) are adjacent to each other and offer great Bass fishing. The lakes are relatively shallow which makes for easy wading. Swimming is also safe in these lakes.
The African Penguin Colony at Stony Point
Declared a municipal nature reserve in 2002, the
Stony Point Reserve is home to a multiple variety of sea birds, most notably the colony of African Penguins that mate and nest here. The first nests were found in 1982 which made for the first ever recorded mainland colony of these birds on South African shores.
The remains of the Old Whaling station, which was in operation from 1912 to 1930 can still be seen at Stony Point. South Africa signed the treaty to ban whaling in 1976 and the big mammals have been making a come back ever since. Each year, Southern Right and Humpback whales migrate into our coastal waters to calve and nurse their young. Stony Point is known to be a local and tourist hotspot for land-based whale watching.
Approached by a high boardwalk, with many benches at look out points, Stony Point is well worth a visit. The best time to view the Penguins is in the early morning and evening when they leave or return to and from their daily fishing forays. A fee of R5 per person is charged. Members of the Stony Point Nature Reserve Society enter free.
Amenities
Betty's Bay has self-catering cottages and bed & breakfast houses, as well as holiday homes on hire through various agencies. There are several Restaurants, Country cafe's, Gift Shops, Art Galleries and even Hardware shops. Most of these establishments are located around the two "business hubs" of the town, both located on Clarence Drive.
