South Africa is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Africa and is loved by travellers across the globe.

Last year, the beautiful country saw over eight million trips, and the numbers just seem to be growing.

Cape Town is a highly desirable location for visitors to the country. In 2014, The New York Times named the city the best place in the world to visit, and The Daily Telegraph ranked it number one in 2016 and 2023.

The city isn’t the only where tourism booms. Pretoria, which was one of the host cities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is also favoured by travellers. 

Although both cities will almost guarantee visitors an incredible experience of South Africa, for those who like to get away from crowds when travelling and enjoy a new discovery, this underrated seaside town needs a spot on your bucket list.

Located on the banks of the Breede River estuary is a small coastal town called Wistand which boasts 4km of stunning white sandy beaches.

The beautiful town is also known as the Whale Nursery of South Africa because of the high number of whales present in St Sebastian’s Bay between July and November. Visitors can enjoy whale watching from Witsand’s incredible Whale Watching Tower or experience land watching, where whales can be seen from as close as 100 metres from the shore.

Witsand is the perfect adventure destination, especially for those who enjoy water sports. Kite-surfing, surfing, standup paddle boarding, and fishing are just some of the experiences visitors enjoy when visiting the town.

The town is often regarded as a hidden gem within the Western Cape, where 95% of the country’s wine is produced.

While the small town is full of adventure and fun, its stunning landscapes cannot be forgotten. Wistand offers multiple walking trails so travellers can explore all its beauty.

Take part in Witsand’s Jagged Beach Walk, a route described as moderately challenging and taking around 58 minutes to complete. The hike across the town’s beach is the ultimate experience.

But for those who may find the 58-minute hike difficult, shorter walking trails are available, so you won’t miss out on immersing yourself in the South African haven.