Stilbaai Accommodation

The Stilbaai Moment Event takes place in December, an annual event which comprises a 12 km coastal run, a 15 km sea paddle and a 65 km mountain biking stage and towards the end of December the Trans-Agulhas race brings about 60 rubber ducks and their crew to the town for an overnight stay.  Add to this the Stilbaai Food and Wine Festival which is held during December and which attracts even more tourists, and it's easy to see that Stilbaai's accommodation facilities are strained to the maximum.

This huge influx has Stilbaai bursting at the seams and accommodation is at a premium.   Geared as it is towards tourism, the other main industries being fishing and the building trade, Stilbaai has an immense variety of holiday accommodation available, from camping sites to opulent guest-houses.  Permanent residents take advantage of the crowds pouring into the little town by renting out their houses and heading for the hills to escape the madness.  Tents are pitched; surfers sleep in their vans, caravans trundle into town on their way to the excellent accommodation provided by the caravan sites and every spare nook and cranny is filled.

Whether your budget stretches to the luxury of the more exclusive guest houses or whether you enjoy the freedom of roughing it in a tent, Stilbaai has a good selection of accommodation for you but take a tip and arrange your accommodation well in advance if planning to visit Stilbaai during the peak season.

The camp sites and caravan parks, well equipped with electrical power points and comfortable ablution facilities, are situated on the banks of the unpolluted Goukou River or a few metres from the beautiful stretches of white beach at Lappiesbaai.  Lappiesbaai boasts blue flag status and is well-patrolled during the holiday season by professional lifeguards, who really work for their keep during this busy time.

Famous for its ‘boere'-hospitality, Stilbaai offers a wide variety of cuisine to the hungry holidaymaker.  Try some of the renowned Cape Malay dishes on offer, or enjoy hearty ‘boerekos' replete with pap and onion-and-tomato gravy, especially after a day of playing beach rugby, another popular December event.

Dine sumptuously on international cuisine at one of the many restaurants in the area or tuck into a laid-back meal of fish and chips at a table overlooking the beach.  As is to be expected in a fishing village the fish is of the highest standard of quality and freshness and is landed each day at the picturesque little harbour.   The ubiquitous hake is complemented by kabeljou, steenbras, elf (shad), spotted grunter and a variety of smaller fish.  Buy a fish and enjoy a splendid braai.  Depending on the style of accommodation you have chosen, this could be enjoyed back at the campsite, at the facilities provided by one of the many self-catering holiday homes and chalets or take a trip to nearby Jongensfontein and braai at the facilities provided alongside the tidal pool.   All you need is a cheap braai grid purchased at the local general dealers, fuel and a bottle or two of a fine, affordable South African wine, along with your fish.

Opt for the accommodation provided by one of the many charming bed-and-breakfast establishments, and enjoy breakfasts that would put the much-vaunted English breakfast to shame, with a huge selection of fine produce to choose from.  The rural setting of Stilbaai means that the food available comes from the working farms of the district and is of the very best quality and in a great many cases is organically grown or raised.  Olives and cheese are produced locally and the vegetables are sublime.  Even if you are not making use of the accommodation provided by one of the several guest farms in the area, do not miss out on the fine farm fare provided at these establishments.

With accommodation to suit every lifestyle, Stilbaai will continue to attract the crowds in search of the holiday of a lifetime.