Activities Around Sandspoor - St Helena Bay
Enjoy the wildlife from your patio; an owl surprising you in plain sight, a deer exploring the different flavours of the garden plants in the dryer summer months or the dolphins playing and showing off their acrobatic skills right in front of the house in the mornings (The photo of the dolphin is from the internet. I have yet to master the skill of taking a photo of the dolphins with my phone).
Who said the water is too cold for a swim? Let the children set the pace and follow their enthusiasm. After a long warm day, walking with your bare feet in the shallow water is just the soothing relief you need.
The area is safe and quiet, so hop onto a bicycle and explore the town, visit the Duyker Eiland Gasteplaas for a mountain bike trail or use the sand road to Paternoster. Bring your own bicycles or rent one from a close-by area.
The sand is clean on the beach although you might see some seagrass at times depending on the tides, sometimes the beach is full of surprises; however, it is always perfect for attempting sandcastles, burying your kids/spouse in the sand or collecting seashells. Do not hesitate to ask us for the times of the tides as low tide allows for more adventure.
A short walk in the right direction will take you to what we (Jaco & Karien) call our ‘live fish tank’ or ‘our little paradise’. These rock pools provide you with the treasures of the ocean during low tide if you take the time to look around. We have been blessed to see live sea stars, one being 25cm in diameter; sea urchins including the Afrikaans named ‘see pampoentjie’, crabs, fish and even an octopus. The seals also sometimes use the pools as a play area. Pack a backpack with some water and light snacks and have a picnic on the rocks.
There is never a bad time to take a leisurely stroll along the beach, however early mornings or early evenings are magical. The colours of the daytime marking its end, has no equivalent.
In the evenings, be prepared to be amazed by the night sky, try and find your favourite planets with a special APP. This is the perfect spot for star gazers. During full moon, be brave enough to leave your curtains open to invite the moon to wake you up or enjoy a walk on the beach in the moonlight just like having a movie moment.
Fisherman do not need to walk far to attempt some onshore fishing.
All of the above activities can be enjoyed without needing to drive anywhere or incur additional cost.