st helena bay
the cape west coast
HOW TO GET THERE
(GPS: 33 01S 17 57E)Off the R27, past Langebaan, 140km from Cape Town.
TOURISM OFFICE
· Tel: 076 661 2046ORIGINS OF THE NAME
A small bay at the mouth of the Berg River was named on November 7, 1497, by Vasco da Gama as "Bahia de Santa Elena"The town takes it name from the bay.
HISTORY
St Helena Bay is one of only three natural bays on the world´s mainland coastlines where one can view both a sunrise and a sunset over the sea. It is also recognised as one of the calmest bays in the world. The Bay is sheltered from West Coast winds and fish stocks are increased due to the cold, north-flowing Benguela Current.St Helena Bay has the highest concentration of fish processing factories in South Africa. The eleven factories situated within the region are responsible for over half of the fish that is produced in South Africa annually. The crayfishing industry at St Helena Bay was set up in 1915. The fishing industry was directly responsible for the economic development of the region. Dwindling fish numbers have in recent years forced government to enforce stringent fishing quotas with devastating effects on the fishing industry.
POPULATION
7500PLACES OF INTEREST
◊ Vasco Da Gama Monument◊ Vasco da Gama Nautical Museum
◊ Fishing industry
WHAT TO DO AND SEE
• Diving• Hiking trails
• Sea kayaking
• Surfing
• Windsurfing
• Whale Watching
• Birding
• Golf
• 4x4 trails
• Flowers in season (late July to October)
• See the accommodation page for accommodation in this area
