My family and I escaped the crowded beaches close to Cape Town during the school holidays and headed a little further north along the Cape’s West Coast to spend a couple of carefree days in Dwarskersbos.
Dwarskersbos beach. Image: supplied
It’s the small things that make this beach apartment stand out from other beach cottages I’ve stayed in. In many ways dk villas Dwarskersbos is understated – as a beach house should be – and yet there are luxurious touches all over to enhance your stay.
Main bedroom. Image: supplied.
Take the Bâtons à parfum vanilla fragrance diffusers for instance. They release a faint but delightful scent, which I enjoyed so much that I Googled the product to find out where in Cape Town I could find them. At about R600 each, the idea swiftly moved down on my priority list from ‘must have’ to ‘nice to have’.
The Hotel Collection bathrobes in each room and little thoughtful touches like a charcoal-coloured hand towel that has ‘make-up remover’ embroidered onto it, made the stay just that much more comfortable too. (Too many times I’ve washed my make-up off and then dried my face on a hotel’s fluffy, white hand towel only to discover that my mascara or foundation had not been entirely washed away.)
Image credit: Elise Kirsten
Champagne and chocolates awaited our arrival, just like those we found at dkVillas The Boardwalk, in Hout Bay, on a prior visit. After unpacking we strolled to the beach, just more than a stone’s throw away. The wide bay extends from St Helena Bay, up north past the Rocher Pan Nature Reserve to just before Eland’s Bay (known for its great surf.) Here, however, the waves were tame and better for a bit of body boarding.
That evening we enjoyed a braai and ate outside on the enclosed stoep as the last of the sun’s rays created a visual symphony of colour on the still, warm summer eve.
We were greeted by misty conditions the following morning and, after making good use of the coffee machine, we lounged around watching the cricket while our teens connected to the WiFi to keep entertained. We made our way down to the beach at 12pm, after the mist had burned off and enjoyed a swim in the cool ocean, which was refreshing but not as icy as the waters of Clifton or Blouberg further south.
We were so content with summer braais on the patio that we had no desire to go and eat at one of the local restaurants, although we have it on good authority that Charlie’s Brewhouse and Russells on the Port, both situated on the nearby Port Own marina, which could be mistaken for a small European port with its yatchs bobbing about, are well worth the visit.
We did cook some eggs for breakfast one morning, however if we had a more culinary adventurous streak, the kitchen is fitted with high quality appliances and kitchenware.
Boogie boarding in the shallows provided refreshing entertainment. Image credit: Elise Kirsten
The long stretch of sand sprinkled with seashells at Dwarskersbos made the ideal place for a morning walk and so on our last day my daughter and I ambled along the shoreline, picking up shells and watching as sandwich terns dived, one after the other, into the ocean plucking out their fishy breakfast. Large seagulls waddled across the beach and took flight effortlessly as we approached. Every now and then we’d pass couples holding hands, dog walkers or fathers and sons playing cricket on the sand.
We were sad to have to pack up as we could easily have spent a week here, full of lazy days that run into each other in a timeless blur of fun and relaxation.
Cost: R1,790 per night (1 October 2018 – 14 December 2018 and 7 January 2019 – 30 April 2019); R2,300 per night during high season (15 December 2018 – 6 January 2019 ) and R1330 per night (1 May 2019 – 30 September 2019); sleeps 4.
Contact: Johann de Kock 0829220775, email: in[email protected] , website: dkvillas.co.za
Dk villas Dwarskersbos. Image: supplied.
Things to do in and around Dwarskersbos
Swimming, paddling and any other beach activity you can think of, except perhaps surfing (however if you’d like to catch some bigger waves Eland’s Bay is the next bay about 40 minutes drive away).
Boat cruises up the Berg river with Tollie’s River and Boat Cruises ; R150 for an hour and a half trip, R75 for kids under 10. Departs from the Port Owen Marina Resort at 11am and 6pm in summer and an hour earlier in winter. 079 763 6966 / 084 206 6219, [email protected]
Great for birdwatching, the Rocher Pan Nature Reserve is about 10km north of Dwarskersbos.
Visit the West Coast Fossil Park about 40km south of Dwarskersbos. 022 766 1606, [email protected]
Eat out: Restaurants in the area include Russells on the Port 022 783 0158; Charlie’s Brewhouse 022 783 0448; Die See Kaia (great for pizza or a toasted sarmie) 083 276 3115; Die Vishuis Restaurant, 022 783 1183 or 082 450 5053; Teyana’s Restaurant and Pub 022 783 2055; Die Vis Vlekhuis 071 917 4521; Lavender & Lime Café 078 203 8374
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