- Wes-Kaap
- Infanta
Infanta, Wes-Kaap
Sleepy Little Town
The little village of Infanta is located in the Overberg Region and is one of several small villages that lie along the banks of the Breede River as it flows from its source in the Ceres valley. It is a quaint fishing town, approximately halfway between Cape Town and George, roughly a two-hour drive either way.
Infanta can be found on the western bank of the river and its sister village of Witsand lies directly opposite on the eastern bank. Both towns are popular leisure destinations as the area is virtually undeveloped and offers those who enjoy the outdoors a variety of activities from beaches, fishing and surfing to hiking, nature and whale watching. Some of the greatest attractions to this area are the Southern Right Whales and the fact that there are no less than four great surf spots in and around Infanta.
The village is aptly known as a “sleepy little town” and a nature lover’s escape with access along a gravel road, that unless you enjoy potholes and ditches, leaves much to be desired, but spending time here is worth it! Infanta is the perfect unspoilt spot to get away from it all!
Despite being a small village, Infanta has a variety of accommodation options from self-catering units and beach cottages to great camping facilities.
Things to do and see
- Infanta Beach
- Infanta Beach to Moddergat River Hike
- De Hoop Whale Trail
- De Hoop Nature Reserve
- Malgas Pont
- Whale Watching at St Sebastian Bay
- De Hoop Coastal Trail
- Witsand Beach
- Spookdraai Hiking Trail, L’Agulhas
- Rasperpunt Hiking Trail, L’Agulhas
Climate
Witsand receives approximately 540 mm of rain annually, occurring throughout the year.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 27˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 7˚C and 21˚C.
Transport
There are daily flights into Cape Town International Airport, 259 Km away and into George Airport, 279 km away, both via the N2. Car hire facilities are available at the Airport.
Access to Cape Infanta is along a gravel road off the N2 approximately 9 km on the Port Elizabeth side of Swellendam. The other way of reaching Infanta is from Witsand – you need to cross the Breede River via the Malgas Pont.
History
The fishing village was first founded in 1819 during a time of severe drought during which its creator, Joseph Barry, transported rice and maize from Cape Town up into the Breede River mouth.
Infanta takes its name from Cape Infanta, a coastal settlement in the Overberg area which forms part of the greater Swellendam area. Infanta is located several kilometres to the south, and from its situation on the Breede River.
Cape Infanta was in turn named after the Portuguese Captain João Infante, who accompanied Bartholomew Dias on his journey around Southern African coast in 1487/8 and commanded one of his sailing ships, the São Pantaleão.
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