Arniston

Two hours' drive from Cape Town, the old fishing village of Arniston exudes an authentically quaint atmosphere.

It has two names: Arniston, in memory of the 372 people who drowned on the HMS Arniston, a transport ship wrecked in 1815; and Waenhuiskrans, (wagon house cliff) deriving from its enormous tidal cavern big enough to hold six ox and wagon teams.

Arniston is also notable for its bizarre marine erosion; fishermen clamber over the rocks for the perfect angling spot. The beaches are pearly white and the dunes are vast and unspoiled. Writers and painters are known to come here for peace and inspiration.

A visit to nearby Kassiesbaai is not to be missed. The neighbouring 200-year-old fishing village has a unique collection of whitewashed and thatched fisherman's cottages that a local guide will show you. The entire village of Kassiesbaai is now a National Monument and you have to be born there to be able to live there.

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