Pringle Bay

Pringle Bay sits at the foot of Hangklip, tucked between the mountains and the sea on the Cape Whale Coast. It forms part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, one of the richest fynbos regions in the world, and the long open beach here catches the full force of the south easter in summer. The village is small and quiet, a favourite for people who want distance from the crowds of Hermanus or Gordon's Bay without giving up the coastline. The most common way in is via the R44, the coastal road that runs from Gordon's Bay through Rooi Els and Betty's Bay before reaching Pringle Bay. Drivers coming from Cape Town usually take the N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass, then join the R44 south. It is a slow, winding drive with sea views most of the way, and locals treat it as part of the experience rather than a detour. Most trips to Pringle Bay are short hops from around the Cape Peninsula and Overberg, with Atlantis about 118 km away representing a typical day trip. Visitors travelling from further afield, including Kimberley, Springbok, and Langebaan, tend to be tourists working their way along the Western Cape coast rather than commuters. There are no dedicated EV charging stations in the village itself, so electric vehicle drivers usually top up in Somerset West or Hermanus before continuing on. One detail worth knowing before you arrive: troops of chacma baboons regularly move through Pringle Bay and along the Hangklip road, and it is not unusual to have to wait for one to cross before you can carry on. --- Pringle Bay is that quiet spot past Betty's Bay where the mountain meets the sea, part of the Kogelberg Biosphere. Take the N2 over Sir Lowry's Pass then join the R44 coastal road through Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els, a proper scenic drive. Most visitors are doing day trips from around the Cape, though some come from as far as Kimberley or Springbok. No EV chargers in town, so juice up in Somerset West first. Keep an eye out for baboons crossing the road, it happens often.