About Hondeklip Bay/Hondeklipbaai

DISTANCE SPRINGBOK TO HONDEKLIPBAAI: 112 km

Formerly a favoured holiday destination for farmers, fishermen and divers, Hondeklip Bay is separated from Springbok by 104km of gravel road, the Messelpad Pass and Soebatsfontein, a quaint village built next to a spring at the foot of the escarpment.

In 1846, a small natural harbour was discovered by Thomas Grace, a ship’s captain who immediately established a trading station. By 1852 the first eleven tons of copper ore was shipped from this harbour, now known as Hondeklip Bay. Hondeklip Bay’s harbour now serves fishing and diamond-mining boats.

Just south of Hondeklip Bay lies the wreck of the 'Aristea', built in Scotland as a fishing vessel in 1934 but served as minesweeper during WW2. On July 4th 1945, on its maiden voyage as trawler, it ran aground with the loss of one life.

Attractions Hondeklipbaai / Hondeklip Bay

• NAMAQUALANDS SEASONAL WILD FLOWERS
• ARISTEA SHIPWRECK
  Ran aground in 1945
• CRAYFISHING
  In season, a permit obtained in Springbok or Garies will allow you to dive ?for crayfish.
• SCENIC DRIVES
  Circular routes back to the N7 make for spectacular scenic drives during the flower season.