Some places whisper their magic. Others sing it from the mountaintops. Betty’s Bay, nestled between the Kogelberg mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on South Africa’s celebrated Whale Coast, does both with quiet and loud aplomb and allure.

Betty’s Bay is a Seaside Village with Soul, Stories, a Salty Breeze, and so much more! 

An hour and a half from Cape Town (if you can resist stopping every five minutes to photograph Clarence Drive’s sea-drenched beauty), Betty’s Bay is more than a pretty face. It is a living poem of rugged mountains, soft fynbos, hidden eateries, and a community that welcomes you with muddy boots, a bottle of local wine, and a sincere smile. See Waaygat Restaurant. 

This little coastal village stretches between mountain and sea like a lazy cat in the sun. A stone’s throw from the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and home to the famous penguin colony at Stony Point, it’s also boasts wild, empty beaches, sand dunes excellent for sandboarding or quiet picnics, and a stretch of coastline that steals your breath and keeps your secrets.

But Betty’s Bay isn’t just about views, it’s about living well in the most grounded, soulful way.

Town Treasure Hunts: What You’ll Find and Where to Look

Forget supermarkets and malls. Betty’s Bay invites you to shop slowly, with a basket and a curious heart.

Grocery Essentials: The local OK MiniMart is small but mighty, with the essentials and a friendly hello at the till. If you need farm eggs, home-baked rusks or wild honey, ask around and you will be directed to a neighbour who knows someone.

Biltong & Braai Treats: Head to De Vette Mossel Padstal on the R44 for biltong that might bring a tear to your eye, plus farm-style condiments and wood for the fire.

Bottle Stores: There are a few bottle stores dotted between nearby Kleinmond and Betty’s Bay, friendly, stocked, and always happy to suggest a local wine or craft beer or gin.

Thrift Shops & Hidden Gems: From tucked-away secondhand stores brimming with vintage glassware to the community book exchange that smells like childhood holidays, Betty’s Bay is a slow shopper’s dream.

Fresh & Homemade: Keep your eyes open for chalkboard signs advertising koeksisters, jams, fresh loaves, or fish just off the boat. And don’t skip Mooiuitsig Kombuis, just up the road, for legendary home cooking.

This is not a place of rush or routine. It’s a village of walking barefoot, of watching clouds roll over mountains, of falling asleep to the wind and waking up to birdsong. It is ideal for writers and wanderers, lovers and loners, sand-covered children and responsible pyromaniac Braai lovers. You’ll find people who love fishing, art, coding, yoga, and visitors falling into a rhythm they didn’t know they needed.

You don’t just visit Betty’s Bay. You Be in it. You breathe slower, talk softer, and listen longer. You learn the names of the waves, tides and birds. You find yourself again in the golden light, the laughter over lunch or dinner at Waaygat, or the silence on a morning walk. If you are up really early, the penguin nuns might race you to the beach. Be kind please, despite their fame, they are quite shy.

Whether it’s your first trip or your umpteenth, Betty’s Bay holds something you didn’t know you’d missed, and serves it to you gently, generously, gloriously.

And if you are looking for a place to rest your head, let the lovely ladies of Be in Betty’s Bay find you the perfect corner to exhale, rest and restore. 

For an experience that feels less like booking accommodation and more like being invited home, Be in Betty’s Bay is the beating heart of hospitality in this beloved town.

Run by a close-knit group of warmhearted, creative and quietly extraordinary women, Be in Betty’s Bay offers hand-picked holiday homes, romantic hideaways, family-friendly cottages and stylish coastal stays each one uniquely curated and immaculately cared for. These aren’t cookie-cutter listings. They’re lived-in, loved-in spaces with views, charm, comfort and character.

Whether you want to wake up to mountain views with your coffee or sip wine on a stoep with the ocean just beyond, there’s a place with your name on it—and the Be in Betty’s Bay team will help you find it with heart and humour.

You will easily find their welcoming office just off Clarence drive, beside the Seaview entrance of the renowned Waaygat Restaurant, in the beautifully restored Old Whaling Station building that feels like a gentle nod to the past and a vibrant link to the now. Pop in. Say hello to the inimitable Sharon. Ask for advice. Or just come to browse, breathe, and feel at home.

Wander along the elevated boardwalk to observe one of the world’s third-largest land-based colonies of endangered African penguins up close, without disturbing them.

34°37′14″ S 18°89′32″ E | CapeNature permit required.

Stony Point Nature Reserve
https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/stony-point-nature-reserve

Set beneath the Kogelberg Biosphere’s majestic mountains, this 200-ha garden features cultivated zones and pristine fynbos trails, home to over 1,600 plant species and 60+ bird types.
Harold Porter Garden
https://www.sanbi.org/gardens/harold-porter

From the soft sands of Betty’s Bay Main Beach to the quieter stretches of Silver Sands, these beaches offer walking, swimming, and picnic-grade tranquillity with occasional surfers riding the windy swells.

https://walkerbayadventures.co.za/sand-boarding/

Take the 22 km coastline road from Gordon’s Bay to Betty’s Bay for dramatic views of False Bay, occasional whale spotting, rocky cliffs, and surf-ready reefs.

Discover the UNESCO-acknowledged hotspot rich in flora diversity, ideal for scenic coastal hikes, birding, and foraging adventures.

Cast a line (with a permit) in this protected marine zone, where shore anglers delight in serene settings and occasional catches near Stony Point.

Unearth prehistoric stories and Khoisan heritage embedded in the coastline; stone axes dated 20,000 years old have been found here.
https://www.alltrails.com/south-africa/western-cape/betty-s-bay

Use the town as a base for:

Betty’s Bay is both a door to nature, penguins, fynbos, and oceanside trails and a gateway to experiences from ancient heritage to guided tours.

seeing it all through the lens of local warmth, like a whispered invitation to stay, slow down, and immerse yourself fully.

Be in Betty’s Bay Services

   A carefully selected portfolio of properties ideal for families, couples, solo travellers, and pets.

   Professional standard: homes are modern, fully equipped, and uniquely styled for comfort and charm.

   All homes come cleaned, sanitised, and dressed with crisp hotel-quality linen.

   Each includes a starter pack of essentials—and thoughtful surprise extras to make your stay feel cared for.

   The Be in Betty’s Bay team (Ellen, Sharon & Deryn) provides tailored recommendations based on specific preferences.

   They’re your direct contact from enquiry to checkout—responsive, professional, and warm.

Property Management for Owners

   For homeowners, they offer trusted property oversight: cleaning, maintenance, security checks, and peace of mind in managing holiday rentals.

    With over a decade of living in Betty’s Bay, the team brings genuine local knowledge to enhance your stay.

   They are deeply connected to the community and committed to leaving every guest refreshed and delighted.