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Pearly Beach is a quiet coastal village just under three hours' drive from Cape Town. It's part of the Gansbaai municipal area and it offers untouched tranquil charm. The stretch between Pearly Beach and Gansbaai is full of small, character-rich coastal towns and hamlets. Each has its own vibe, but they all share a love of the ocean & nature.
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THE FULL
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VLOG
An impromptu visit to PEARLY BEACH – I Swim With A Crocodile!
Fellow travel blogger TRAVELBUG ROSE send me a message out of the blue. She said she was on her way to Cape Town and would pop by. Since I needed to do my next vlog, I asked her if I can get a lift to somewhere, basically anywhere. She said she would make a stopover at PEARLY BEACH. I've never been there before and it sounded as good as any other place to vlog about. Like usual I mailed a few guest houses to ask for
TRAVELBUG ROSE
an accommodation sponsor in return for a review in my vlog and a promo video, and the only person that came back to me was Marianne from THE ARK BED & BREAKFAST. And this is how I like my little adventures and excursions, unplanned and in the moment, as any good adventure, (in my humble opinion), should be. I live for the excitement of the unknown and unexpected, and this is what I love to share with my audience.
I absolutely love what I do and I get a dopamine kick each time I arrive at a new place. I only arrived at the guesthouse late in the afternoon, but the urge to explore was strong and the light drizzle that came down was not going to stop me from exploring this new space. The wonderful smell of the sea immediately hit me as I left the guesthouse. The pristine beach is only about 200 meters away and it is renowned for its wild beauty and tranquillity. I was headed for the main part of
DIE VISGAT
town though, being curious about what type of action, (if any), I would find in this small place on a Monday evening. Marianne from the guesthouse told me that there were 3 local bars. Evidently the locals are a thirsty bunch!
I walked the relatively short distance to town and ended up at one of the venues called THE VISGAT, (Fish Hole). There I found locals of the area busy taking part in a pool tournament. It was quite lively and everybody was friendly. I ended up talking to a guy about his pet snakes. It was a good night, so yes, their seems to be a healthy social scene in this small town.
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The next day it was still raining and I was concerned about finding material worthy of the vlog. Luckily Marianne was about to go do shopping in GANSBAAI, the larger neighbouring town with a better variety of shops and produce to choose from. She kindly offered to stop at a few places on the way, so the morning turned into a road trip.
Our first stop was at FRANSKRAAL. Franskraal has a long stretch of white sandy beach, ideal for peaceful walks, shell collecting, and relaxing. It’s less commercialized than other coastal towns, making it a great escape from busier tourist spots. As we stopped the Land Cruiser we met two guys who just landed after a wet morning of fishing. They proudly showed us the three decent sized cob they caught before we moved on to KLEINBAAI. Despite its size, it's world-famous for one thrilling reason: shark cage diving.
Kleinbaai is arguably the shark cage diving capital of the world. Tour operators launch boats from its tiny harbour to Dyer Island and Shark Alley, one of the best places on Earth to see great white sharks (though sightings vary due to changes in shark behaviour in recent years).
Even if you're not diving, boat trips offer chances to spot sharks, seals, dolphins, and sometimes whales.
Marianne waited patiently while I vlogged and eventually we left for Gansbaai. Gansbaai (pronounced “Huns-buy”) is a small but iconic coastal town about 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town. It's famous for its rugged beauty, marine wildlife, and adventure tourism. Marianne left me to explore the harbour while she went shopping. I had an excellent meal at the GANSBAAI VISMARK before our return journey.
BOOK YOUR OCEAN ADVENTURE HERE
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On our way back to Pearly Beach we stopped at AFRIKANOS. Afrikanos offers a unique and thrilling experience centered around the Nile crocodile, one of Africa’s apex predators. Located in the scenic Birkenhead area, just 3.5 km from Kleinbaai Harbour, Afrikanos combines wildlife encounters with a family-friendly atmosphere.
I found Keith and the rest of the staff to be very helpful and friendly. They also serve food and drink in their restaurant and all and all it's a very positive experience.
Afrikanos offers something totally different — a chance to safely enter the water with one of nature’s most fearsome predators. And no, this isn’t a daredevil stunt. It's done in a custom-designed enclosure that lets you get up-close and personal with these ancient reptiles, all while being totally safe. It wasn’t just a thrill; it was a rare opportunity to see crocodiles in a way most people never do.
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I usually walk when I vlog because it is a much more intimate connection with the environment. (Currently I don't own a vehicle anyway). You can see and smell things, and do random impromptu interviews with interesting strangers. Marianne loaned me her e-bike for a few hours, and let me tell you — for vlogging, it was an absolute game-changer. Riding the e-bike gave me the freedom to move smoothly along the coastline without breaking a sweat (literally). I cruised past wild fynbos, quiet sandy paths, and made my way to hidden coves that cars couldn’t reach. The best part? It was quiet — no engine noise, just the sound of the sea and the wind. Perfect for clean audio and natural ambient sounds in the vlog.
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If you’re seeking a tranquil escape on the southern coast of South Africa, THE ARK BED & BREAKFAST in Pearly Beach offers a serene haven just 200 meters from the shore. Perched atop one of the highest dunes in the village, this charming establishment provides panoramic views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
The Ark is renowned for its tranquil ambiance, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and rejuvenation. The property is situated within a conservancy area, ensuring the preservation of the indigenous flora and fauna. Guests may encounter Cape angulate tortoises, brown mongooses, and Cape otters during their stay.
The Ark offers four elegantly appointed rooms, each designed to provide comfort and privacy:
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Oystercatcher Room: Named after the rare African Black Oystercatcher, this bright double room boasts stunning views of the mountains and bay.
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Tortoise Room: Overlooking the fynbos garden, this room features a comfortable queen-size bed and an en-suite shower.
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Seal Room: A spacious family room with flexible bedding arrangements, including a king-size bed and additional single beds. It has a private bathroom with a bath and overhead shower.
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All rooms are equipped with modern amenities, including mini fridges, heaters, hairdryers, coffee and tea stations, and Wi-Fi.
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You’d think a small coastal town like Pearly Beach would be all sleepy sunsets and early bedtimes… but trust me, this little village knows how to show you a good time when the sun goes down.
While vlogging my stay here, I decided to see what the local nightlife had to offer — and honestly? It didn’t disappoint.
We kicked the night off at VISGAT BAR the kind of no-frills, all-vibes spot where you instantly feel like a regular. It’s got that real small-town charm — locals chatting over cold beers, pool balls cracking in the background, and stories being swapped like currency. We didn’t stay long, but it was the perfect place to ease into the evening.
You know when you don’t expect much and then boom — surprise hit? That was HOOKED TAKE AWAYS. I grabbed a pizza there (because nothing powers a night out better than carbs and cheese), and it slapped. Super casual, super tasty, and the kind of spot you’d walk past unless you knew it was there.
I ended the night at the PEARLY BEACH CLUB, and honestly, it was the highlight. They were hosting a games night — think pool and a whole lot of friendly competition. Locals and visitors were mixing, the playlist was doing its job, and there may have been some questionable dance moves toward the end of the night. (No regrets.)
After a couple of nightcaps and a lot of laughter, I called it a night — the kind that leaves you smiling as you kick off your shoes back at your B & B.
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Founded in 2021 by Stavros Pastellides and his family, WHALE COAST BREWING CO. was born from a love of craft beer and a desire to bring something unique to Pearly Beach. Despite limited prior brewing experience, the team dove in headfirst, transforming a commercial space into a fully operational brewery. Their 300L brewing system now produces a variety of beers, including award-winning styles like Weiss and Stout, which earned silver and bronze medals at the African Beer Cup .
And that’s a wrap on my time in Pearly Beach, South Africa — a place that might be small on the map, but it’s overflowing with charm, character, and coastal magic. From quiet sunrise walks along the shore to unexpected nights out with local legends, every moment here felt like a beautiful surprise.
Whether I was cruising on an e-bike through sandy paths, sharing pizza, swimming with crocodiles (yes, that happened!), or sipping craft beer at a local brewery, Pearly Beach showed me a slower, richer side of travel. One where the ocean is never far, and the people make you feel instantly at home.
If you're looking for a destination that's off the beaten path but full of heart — this is it.
Thanks for tagging along on this journey. Until the next adventure — stay curious, stay kind, and keep exploring. 🌍✨