About Small Bay Beach (Kleinbaai)

Small Bay Beach and Kleinbaai (the Afrikaans name) refer to the same geographical location or beach on the Blouberg, or Cape Town West Coast. Starting at the rocky outcrop known as ‘Kids Rock’ which separates it from Big Bay Beach; it runs south to the more protected cove opposite the landmark ‘Ons Huisie Restaurant’, where it is more commonly referred to as Kleinbaai.

Where it gets interesting or geographically confusing, ‘Small Bay Beach’ isn’t that small and can easily be confused as three separate areas, bays, or beaches. Starting at its northern most point by Kids Rock (which separates it from Big Bay Beach), it is accessible via the Public Parking area, located diagonally opposite ‘The Blue Peter Hotel‘, at the intersection of Popham Street and De Mist Street…

This section of Small Bay Beach, adjoining Big Bay Beach, is frequented mostly by surfers and the younger crowd, or families with kids, who play ball or suntan on the beach. Other than Kids Rock, which is accessible during low-tide, there are some rocky outcrops to the left of the beach, in front of ‘The Blue Peter Hotel‘, for those who enjoy rock pool exploration.

Overall, swimming is safe, but like most of the West Coast Beaches, it can get very rough, especially during high-tide and in windy conditions. Kids Rock Island is also a great experience when it’s low-tide, but be cautious of losing track of time and not watching the tide come in; because higher tide crossings can be dangerous (i.e. don’t get yourselves stuck on the island).

The public parking area, here, is relatively small and it does get pretty busy when the weather is suitable for swimming, suntanning or surfing. Be warned that much of the adjoining roads are demarcated with red-lines, and are no parking zones. Traffic officials routinely come around to issue fines to offenders, especially on weekends and during the holiday season(s). Ice Cream and Food Trucks are sometimes setup in this parking area and there are public ablutions too.

Moving southwards, off Pelegrini Street, you will find another section of Small Bay Beach, which is easily identified by the large concrete bollards surrounding it. This area comprises the beach and Small Bay Park, which recently underwent a major revamp after being damaged by severe storms and powerful ocean waves. The park features a green lawn and a small jungle gym, with slide(s), making it suitable for families with young kids. Here, the beach is accessible via a concrete ramp and swimming conditions are generally safer.

A large sea-wall, protecting the homes above it, separates this stretch of Small Bay Beach from the next parking area, or stretch of beach more specifically known as Kleinbaai. Accessible by car off Stadler Road or Linde Street, this parking area is clearly marked on entry, as ‘Kleinbaai’, with the ‘Ons Huisie Restaurant‘ (mentioned earlier) as the backdrop.

The restaurant is a major attraction, as is the calmer waters of this part of the beach. Expect to see family with kids due to the calmer waters and the rocky shoreline to the left of the beach where kids can enjoy some rock pool exploration. Small Bay Beach is also a very popular location for the ‘cold plunge’ crowd throughout the year.

Something to be aware of though; sewerage pump failures can sometimes cause water quality issues here. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens, especially during high-season when the systems are over-loaded.

Beyond the Kleinbaai parking area, between Small Bay Beach and Bokkombaai Beach, you will find ‘Kreefgat’ and an officially unnamed beach known locally as Rocklands Beach. Access to Kreefgat is limited due to recent development on Stadler Road and Rocklands Beach remains very quiet due to the massive amount of broken mussel shells on the beach and very dangerous swimming conditions.

Additional Information

On the rocks to the left of Small Bay Beach, a wooden structure comprising a wooden barrel design with a cross was erected in memory of ‘Heather Bam’ who drowned in front of her house, ‘Die Groot Wit Huis’, in 1911. While the cross still hold significant historical value, its original purpose other than being a memorial was to house a life-buoy and a siren/whistle to help anyone else that got into trouble in these waters.

The original building/house known as ‘Die Groot Wit Huis’ was demolished in 2004 and a local guest house now occupies that piece of land. It is NOT the same building as ‘Ons Huisie’, which is now preserved as a Provincial Heritage Site; even though it is used as a local restaurant serving west coast cape cuisine.

Source: https://www.capetown.gov.za/