Oystercatcher Trail

Mossel Bay, Western Cape

Our famous Oystercatcher Trail; it’s a Love Affair with Nature!
5-day, 4-night guided coastal walk, rates include a local guide, luxury accommodation & all meals.

Oystercatcher Trail: 4 nights, 5 days

Walk from Mossel Bay’s Cape St. Blaize to the Gourits River Mouth in the company of a knowledgeable and entertaining local guide – and discover ancient history that goes back to the dawn of modern human behaviour.
You will walk in the company of new friends in a small group (usually no more than about 12 guests).

Includes accommodation, guide fees, luggage transport, and all meals (on some days you will carry your own picnic lunch, on others we’ll serve lunch on the beach)
Accommodation is provided in superbly appointed local guesthouses – with some nights at the traditional-style Sandpiper Cottages at Boggomsbaai.
You will walk carrying just your daypack – but you’ll leave with more than a pack-full of memories!

The Oystercatcher Trail: day-by-day

Day 1: Mossel Bay
Dinner and a good rest before the walking begins
Arrive and check-in at your accommodation in Mossel Bay
Enjoy sundowners with a member of the Oystercatcher Trail team
Dinner at a local restaurant (transport will be arranged by the restaurant.
Drinks for your own account).

Day 2: Mossel Bay to Dana Bay
Today’s walk: mostly cliff paths. Amazing views!
Today’s walking: 15 km
Your guide will meet you at your guest house and will arrange your luggage for collection by our road transport service.
Please remember to carry your day pack with you – with sunblock, a towel, swimming costume, camera, etc.
Walk to a local restaurant for breakfast; you’ll receive an Oystercatcher Trail water bottle and your lunch-pack for the day.
Walk with your guide to the St. Blaize Cave for the actual start of your Oystercatcher Trail.
Meander and explore with your guide along the cliffs and contour paths, and via the St Blaize Trail and Pinnacle Point Golf & Beach Estate to Dana Bay.
Enjoy a picnic lunch en route.
Road transport from Dana Bay to Sandpiper Cottages in Boggomsbaai, where welcome snacks will be served.
Dinner at Sandpiper Sports Centre (Drinks for your own account).
Overnight at Sandpiper Cottages

Day 3: Dana Bay to Boggomsbaai
Today’s route: mostly beachy!
Today’s walking: 12 km
Breakfast at Sandpiper Sports Centre. Receive you lunch packs for the day – and remember to replenish your Oystercatcher Trail water bottle!
Road transport to Dana Bay to continue your walk.
Today you will be walking along the beach – with frequent sightings of dolphins and (between May and October), the migratory southern right whales that come here to mate and calve.
Visit ancient Khoi San middens in the dunes and enjoy a picnic lunch en route.
Welcome snacks at Sandpiper Cottages.
Afternoon at leisure.
This might be a good time for a pampering massage at the Sandpiper Spa (but this is an optional extra – please arrange it with us before your trail begins). Or you could play a game on the Sandpiper Sports Centre’s tennis court or glass back squash court or enjoy a bit of chill time on the deck. Dinner at Sandpiper Sports Centre. Overnight at Sandpiper Cottages.

Day 4: Boggomsbaai to Gourits River
From beaches to rocky shores.
Today’s walking: 21 km
Breakfast at Sandpiper Sports Centre.
Walk along the beach and rocky shore to Fransmanshoek – a small nature reserve with abundant bird life and beautiful veld flowers (where La Fortune was wrecked in 1763 en route from Mauritius to France: Fransmanshoek means ‘French Corner’).
Enjoy a beach lunch and snorkelling and swimming in the secluded bay.
Walk to Kanon Private Nature Reserve (about 3 km east of the Gourits River Mouth), which protects one of the few remaining patches of Gourits Coastal Dune Thicket.
Visit ancient Khoi San fish traps and the giant dunes along the way – and if you are fit enough, you might like to climb the dunes!
Continue walking to the Gourits River Mouth.
Cross the river by boat
Road transport back to Sandpiper Cottages
Farewell Dinner at the Sandpiper Sport Centre. (Drinks for your own account).
Overnight at Sandpiper Cottages.

Day 5: Goodbye
Your last, lingering breakfast with us. Sigh
Breakfast at Sandpiper Sports Centre.
Road transport to Mossel Bay.
Let the memories begin!

Details

Duration: 4 Nights, 5 Days, 3 trail days covering 45 km
Start Location: Sandpiper Cottages, Boggoms Bay
Departure Times: Arranged per Trail
Dropoff Time: Day 5 after enjoying a hearty breakfast
Dress: Comfortable Hiking Clothes
Fitness Level: Moderately Fit
Pack: Sunblock, hat, water, camera, light jacket and a small backpack

Rates: