Coastal Guide to Hessequa
If there is one thing that we treasure on the Explorer’s Garden Route - it is our pristine coastline
Hessequa Blue Flag Beaches
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
Hessequa Municipality is the first Municipal area within South Africa, which achieved the status of having all the proclaimed swimming beaches under its jurisdiction awarded Blue Flag status.
For the 2021/2022 season, the following beaches yields the prestigious Blue Flag status:
Witsand
Jongensfontein
Stilbaai West
Lappiesbaai
Preekstoel
Gouritsmond
Estuary Management (River Control)
1. Where can boating permits be obtained?
- Stilbaai: At the slipway (during December holidays)
- Witsand: Lower Breede River Conservancy Office (LBRC)
- Gouritsmond: Municipal Office (note municipal office hours)
2. What documents are needed when applying for a boating permit?
3. Where can fishing permits & bait permits be obtained?
- Stilbaai: Post Office
- Gouritsmond: Post Office (Gouritz Spaar)
- Witsand / Heidelberg: Post Office (Heidelberg)
*Or any other South African Post Office. Also note the business hours of each respective Post Office – plan ahead.
4. Where can boats be surveyed?
- Recreational: Johanne Steyn – 072 408 6099 (Stilbaai)
- Thane Garlick – 076 747 3494 (Witsand / Vermaaklikheid)
- Commercial: SAMSA – 044 690 4201
5. Who can be contacted in case of an emergency?
- Stilbaai: National See Rescue Institute (NSRI) – 082 990 5978
- SAPS – 028 754 6100 (Stilbaai)
- Witsand: National See Rescue Institute (NSRI) – 082 990 5957
- SAPS – 028 722 1910 (Heidelberg)
- Gouritsmond: National See Rescue Institute (NSRI) – 082 990 5957 (Mossel Bay)
6. Where can general information be obtained regarding River Control?
- Stilbaai: At the slipway (during December holidays). All other times at the Hessequa Municipality.
- Witsand: Lower Breede River Conservancy Office (LBRC)
- Gouritsmond: Municipal Office
- Duivenhoks: At the slipway (during December holidays). All other times at the Hessequa Municipality.
7. Are jet-skis allowed on the estuary?
8. Is skiing allowed on the estuaries?
9. What is the cost of a boating permit?
Recreational – Gouritz & Gouka Rivers
Recreational boat annual permit tariffs for the Gourits and Goukou Rivers
1 – 15 hp : R124
20 – 40 hp : R189
45 – 90 hp : R254
90 – 115 hp : R378
> 115 hp : R470
Recreational boat day permit tariff
All engin capacities : R124
Recreational – Breede River
Recreational boat annual permit tariffs for the Breede River
1 – 15 hp : R30 + basic fee R150
Additional fees apply from R1.80 – R5.35 per horsepower
Recreational boat day permit tariffs for the Breede River
All engin capacities : R105
For ocean-going vessels: R430
Commercial
Annual commercial tariffs per boat for all rivers
0 – 3 meter : R300
3.1 – 5 meter : R420
5.1 – 7 meter : R1180
>7 meter : R3780
Houseboat : R3780