Struisbaai is situated approximately 10 km from Cape Agulhas. This coastal resort boasts the longest continuous stretch of white sand coastline in the Southern Hemisphere, and each of the 13 pristine kilometres offers safe bathing. Legend has it that the town was named either after the ostriches vogelstruise found in the area or otherwise from the meaning of the word struis – large in Dutch.
Another draw-card of this holiday destination, apart from angling, is the relatively unspoilt environment. Visitors are drawn to the coast by its natural beauty which enriches and strengthens the soul.
The limewashed Hotagterklip cottages at the entrance to Struisbaai are well-known landmarks, as is the little thatched roof church in the business centre. These houses and the church are all National Heritage Sites.
The picturesque Struisbaai harbour, too, is extremely popular among visitors especially our foreign guests who are thrilled to experience one of the last remaining historic and cultural fishing harbours on our South African coastline. A considerable number of the permanent residents of this fast growing coastal town make their livelihood from the sea. Braving the rich fishing grounds with their little boats, they set out from the safe fishing harbour, a favourite meeting place for anglers, traders and visitors.
A unique tourist attraction in the harbour is the community of giant stingrays (family Dasyatidia) that live within its sheltered waters. Visitors are astonished and thrilled to see the 2-metre long rays – especially when being fed fish scraps by hand by small children.
Sea birds are plentiful in the area. Common are gannets, cormorants, sandpipers, and of course the seagulls, which keep the beaches clean. The African black oystercatcher and the Damara Tern, however, have been placed on the Red Data Endangered Bird List. This is due to their habitat and breeding grounds having been threatened by human invasion and the former practice of motorised vehicles driving on our beaches.