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The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
10 fishing villages in SA that feel unspoiled - and serve the best fish
South Africa's coastlines are dotted with fishing villages where the pace is slow, the air smells of salt, and the seafood is as fresh as it gets. While some have gone touristy, there are still places that feel authentic, lived-in, and deliciously unpolished. Here are 10 fishing villages where tradition holds strong, and the fish will blow you away… Paternoster, Western Cape. Image: canva Whitewashed cottages, empty beaches, and fishing boats still lined up on the sand, Paternoster is one of the oldest fishing villages on the West Coast. Locals harvest kreef (rock lobster) and snoek the way their grandparents did. Must-try: The seafood at Wolfgat , a globally acclaimed restaurant using locally foraged ingredients and the freshest daily catch. A slow coastal hamlet where fishermen mend nets by hand and limestone caves wait for explorers. Life moves at its own pace here, and yellowtail and bokkoms (dried fish) are staples. Must-try: Yellowtail braaied over open coals by local vendors. Kalk Bay, Cape Town. Image: wikimedia commons A working harbour in the city that somehow kept its old-school charm. Fishermen still haul in their catch as seals play in the water. Must-try: Fresh linefish and chips at the legendary Kalky's on the wharf. On the Wild Coast, Port St Johns is untamed, lush, and raw. Fishing is done from the shore and by small boats on the Mzimvubu River. It's wild, it's beautiful, and the seafood is pure comfort. Must-try: Kabeljou or shad fish curry, served with pap or rice. Velddrif, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons This West Coast town is all about the Berg River and its fishing culture. It's famous for bokkoms (salted, dried mullet) and a sense of place untouched by trends. Must-try: Snoek braai with apricot jam glaze. Quiet and far from the crowds, Hondeklip Bay was once a diamond-diving town but is now known for its crayfish and rustic vibe. Must-try: Crayfish tails grilled right on the braai. Snoek on the braai. Image: canva Snoek and crayfish are king here. It's a working town with tranquil bays, known for producing a large portion of South Africa's fish. Must-try: Local snoek smoked and served hot from the harbour-side braais. A laid-back surf and crayfish hotspot where time seems frozen. The rustic seaside feel and small-town hospitality keep it real. Must-try: Crayfish straight from the water, grilled and served beachside. Muisbosskerm near Lamberts Bay. Image: wikimedia commons This small town thrives on crayfish and snoek, with Bird Island adding a wildlife twist. Must-try: Open-air seafood feasts at Muisbosskerm . Once a diamond rush town, Port Nolloth remains a working crayfishing harbour. It's quiet, isolated, and unpolished. Must-try: Fresh crayfish paired with a cold beer as the sun sets. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
16-07-2025
- The South African
6 coastal towns in SA that serve the freshest fish you'll ever eat
When it comes to seafood, South Africa doesn't mess around. With over 2 500 kilometres of coastline touching both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the country is a haven for fish lovers. But skip the flashy tourist traps; if you want real, straight-off-the-boat freshness, head to the small coastal towns where fishing isn't a hobby, it's a way of life. Here are six that serve up some of the best fish you'll ever taste… A stretch of beach in Arniston. Image: canva Quiet, windswept, and a little out of the way, Arniston is the kind of coastal town where you go to unplug and eat like royalty. Local fishermen, many from the Kassiesbaai community, still follow age-old methods. Expect line-caught fish, abalone (perlemoen), and lobster cooked in family-run kitchens. Don't miss a meal at Willeen's, where fish is grilled fresh and served with local flair, right near the beach. This sleepy, whitewashed village is a seafood legend. Fishermen launch their boats right from the beach, and what they haul in shows up on your plate by lunch. Think crayfish, snoek, and mussels grilled over open coals or baked into traditional West Coast potjies. Head to Voorstrandt, a bright red tin shack on the beach, for a meal with ocean views and zero pretence. Fishing boats in Kalk Bay. Image: canva Old-school charm meets world-class seafood here. The coastal town of Kalk Bay is still a working fishing harbour, so it's normal to watch fishermen cleaning their catch while you sip a glass of wine across the road. Fresh yellowtail, hake, and calamari are staples here. Try Kalky's, the iconic no-frills fish-and-chips spot right on the dock, or Harbour House for a more upscale take without losing touch with the source. Hout Bay might be just 20 minutes from central Cape Town, but it feels like its own seaside town. Boats come in daily with kingklip, kabeljou, and tuna, which you can buy straight off the dock or enjoy prepared at the Bay Harbour Market, where locals and visitors alike gather for craft food and ocean-fresh dishes. Port St. Johns, Wild Coast. Image: canva Raw, wild, and untamed, Port St. Johns is where the land meets the sea dramatically. It's not fancy, and that's the whole point. The seafood here is real, grilled fish fillets seasoned with nothing more than salt, lemon, and smoke. Try local shacks or family-run guesthouses that serve the catch of the day alongside pap or chakalaka. Just down the coast from Cape Agulhas, Struisbaai is known for having one of the longest beaches in the Southern Hemisphere, and some of the freshest seafood around! The harbour is buzzing with fishermen bringing in yellowtail, red roman, and cob. At Pelican's Harbour Café, you can eat grilled fish feet from where it was caught, watching stingrays glide in the shallows. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
