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Welcome to Pringle Bay & Rooi Els

You’re never far from a stunning sea view in the beautiful little villages of Pringle Bay and Rooi Els. They are nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Kogelberg mountain range, making this the ideal spot for those who love the great outdoors.

The villages lie within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, which is known as the “Heart of Fynbos”. It forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom – the smallest but possibly the most diverse floral kingdom in the world.

The natural beauty of Pringle Bay and Rooi Els can never be ignored. Just walking around the dirt roads in the villages (only the main road is tarred), you’ll be able to take in the rich diversity of the biosphere. Hiking is in fact one of the main reasons people visit the area. There are some spectacular hiking trails in the area that are suitable for a range of different fitness levels.

The other top reason for visiting the area is the beaches. There is a gorgeous lagoon in Pringle Bay created by the mouth of the Buffels River. Here, you can swim, surf and kayak to your heart’s content. There are several other beaches in the area, if you want to do a bit of exploring. Rooi Els, about five minutes down the road from Pringle Bay, has a beautiful beach for swimming located on the river estuary. 

If fishing is your preferred water sport, there are several great spots all around Pringle Bay and Rooi Els. You can start at the Rooi Els River mouth and work your way around the coastline, all the way to the lighthouse at the far end of Pringle Bay. Permits for fishing, as well as for collecting mussels and catching crayfish, can be obtained in the local post office in the centre of Pringle Bay.

When the lazy days of summer come to an end and winter sets in, there are still plenty of reasons to visit these quiet towns. Official whale watching season starts in July and goes right up until December. You can visit any of the beaches or lookout points in both Pringle Bay and Rooi Els to enjoy the splendour of these gentle giants. They come so close to the shore that it feels like you could reach out and touch them. This spectacular and internationally recognised whale route sees hundreds of Southern Right Whales, Humpbacks, Bryde’s Whales and Orcas coming past every year to mate or calf.

The lifestyle in Pringle Bay and Rooi Els is quiet, slow-paced and friendly. The permanent population of the two villages is quite small, with many of the properties being used as holiday homes or rented out as self-catering cottages. Despite being so small, there are several good restaurants in the centre of Pringle Bay where you can grab a meal and chat to the locals. Most people here are happy to tell you stories about the area and give you more information.

Roughly an hour and a half away from Cape Town, these beautiful seaside villages are the ideal spot for a getaway any time of year. You can extract yourself from the stresses of city life and become immersed in the splendours of this unique corner of the world.