St Helena Bay
St Helena bay situated 150 kms from Cape Town and 25 kms from Paternoster, was discovered on 7 November 1497 by the Portuguese explorer, Vasco Da Gama who named the bay after St Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great.
St Helena Bay is a lively fishing village with abundant sea life supporting not only the local population but often when there’s a “snoek run”, fishing boats from as far afield as Cape Town line up to launch for their share of the oceans bounty. Upon their return, fish is sold straight off the boats.
St Helena Bay is home to several large fish processing plants some of who export their products all over the world.
Fisherman’s cottages and luxury homes are dotted along the beautiful coastline side by side interspersed with a patchwork of beach, veld, industrial buildings and churches. A quaint combination, you may say, but what an astounding effect?
St Helena Bay is a popular tourist destination during the seasonal spring wild flower season when the Southern Right Whales come into the bay to calve. Dolphins are spotted all year round frollicking in the bay and are a sheer delight to watch as they chase schools of fish through the azure blue water of the bay.
What To Do and See in ST HELENA BAY
- Fishing
- Spring Wild Flowers
- Vasco Da Gama Monument
(The Vasco de Gama Monument, next to the beach at Stompneusbaai, marks the landing of Vasco da Gama in 1497.)
- Vasco Da Gama Nautical Museum
(History & Culture Museum)
- WAXIT
The Scented Candle Company
Waxit is the market leader in the production of scented candles in South Africa. Visit WAXIT in St Helena Bay, Main Road. Tel: +27 (0) 22 742 1168
- Whales and Dolphins
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