Luxurious Escape to Dwarskersbos

If you exit the city on the N7 and drive up the country’s west coast, past the West Coast National Park, through the town of Velddrif, and past a vast tract of low-lying marine scrub, you’ll chance upon the quaint seaside community of Dwarskersbos. Here, a clutch of residential homes and holiday cottages bathe in the gentle, ever-present purr of the ocean waves and the salty maritime breezes that blow off the Atlantic Ocean.

Dwarskersbos and its beach, Dolfynstrand, is a place to “get away from it all” - away from the city and the insanity. It’s a serene escape in which one can do a little reconnection with oneself, a loved one, and nature. And as a visitor to this far-flung portion of the Cape, there couldn’t be a better home-away-from-home to do it all in than DK Villa’s beach cottage at Skilliepark.

Chic beach cottage

DK Villa’s two-bedroom beach cottage is perfectly positioned near the beach to allow guests front-row seats to the sunset. And with a sheltered indoor braai area with eight-seater table and wrap-around windows, the show can be enjoyed irrespective of the season.

Inside, the cottage is decidedly chic and beach-themed with full attention paid to every detail concerning function, comfort, space usage, and aesthetics. When it comes to interior design, Petra has impeccable style and vision, while Johann is a self-admitted perfectionist! There is an open plan double volume living room and fully kitted-out kitchen that includes high-end appliances, a coffee and tea-making station (and Ouma rusks, natuurlik), as well as heaps of storage space.

DK Villas’ beach cottage at Skilliepark has two bedrooms, both with queen-size beds and one with an open plan en-suite bathroom with a bath. In terms of amenities (and luxuries), no detail has gone without consideration by Johann and Petra. The apartment is flush with everything one could possibly want and need to enjoy a luxurious stay in the fairly remote coastal village of Dwarskersbos. This includes complimentary Wi-Fi, an enormous flat screen TV with DSTV, and Egyptian cotton towels and sheets so soft your biggest challenge will be getting out of bed in the morning. There are event reference books for birding and nature enthusiasts to peruse.

Surrounding attractions

The most immediate diversion to be enjoyed in Dwarskersbos is its beach, Dolfynstrand, which lies a short two-minute walk from the Skilliepark beach cottage. This broad and mostly deserted expanse of white sand is littered with mussel shells and patrolled by Kelp Gulls and African Black Oystercatchers. It offers kilometres of pristine beach to stroll on or a romantic spot for a picnic or sundowner drinks.

The area is home to a number of nature reserves (the West Coast National Park and Rocherpan Nature Reserve), as well as the Berg River and its estuary, so it is quite a haven for nature lovers. Between the months of June and September, Southern Right whales frequent the coast and in August to September, the West Coast landscapes erupt into colour as the wildflowers bloom. There are also plenty of walks, hikes, nature trails, birdwatching, and even Berg River boat cruises to explore.

For more detailed information, read our blog on things to do and see in Dwarskersbos.

Wine and dine

Truth be told, the true allure of Dwarskersbos is its remoteness and tranquillity and so you won’t find any kind of restaurant strip or nightlife here (aside from the odd Barn owl or fiery-necked nightjar). If you can’t be bothered to drive more than a few minutes for a hearty plate of food, try the See Kaia (+27 (0) 83 276 3115 or +27 (0) 71 742 8593), which serves unpretentious, rustic cuisine like pizzas, burgers, toasted sandwiches, and breakfasts.

A short 10 to 15-minutes’ drive away, Velddrif and Port Owen offer up a much greater diversity of restaurants, pubs, and casual eateries, such as Russells on the Port (+27 (0) 22 783 0158), Charlie’s Brewhouse (+27 (0) 22 783 0448), Ek en Djy Vissery (+27 (0) 82 781 3878), Lavender & Lime Coffee Shop (+27 (0) 78 203 8374), and many more. Check out our blog about places to eat in and around Dwarskersbos!

Why Dwarskersbos should be your next weekend getaway

DK Villas’ beach cottage at Skilliepark has been set up in such a way that even if it stormed the entire weekend, you wouldn’t care because the tranquillity you seek can be found within its walls and within its luxury sheets. And this is what Dwarskersbos offers, really: tranquillity. Too often, we seek peace on our travels only to end up spending time, money, and energy on being tourists. While there is much to do and see on the Cape’s stunning West Coast, Dwarskersbos’ relative remoteness makes it easy to spend a day lying on the beach or in bed reading a book; to go for long walks through the veldt or just watch the day ease into night.

DK Villas’ guesthouse has every amenity and luxury one could possibly need to enjoy the peace this part of the world has to offer. It is, above all else, a restful and luxurious home for the heart and the soul, and the perfect getaway for anyone – Capetonian or tourist – in pursuit of rejuvenation.