The Walker Bay Nature Reserve was awarded the Green Coast Award by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) for the 2025/26 season.
The Award recognises natural, less-developed coastal areas that uphold environmental integrity while promoting responsible tourism and community involvement.
The reserve, managed by Cape Nature, is situated between Hermanus and Gansbaai.
It is home to significant cultural heritage, including evidence of Middle Stone Age communities, who lived in Klipgat Cave some 65 000 to 85 000 years ago.
Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, said “this Green Coast Award reflects the hard work of our staff and partners who conserve one of the Western Cape’s most ecologically diverse stretches of coastline. Recognition like this reinforces CapeNature’s ongoing commitment to conserving our coastal ecosystems while ensuring that local communities benefit from nature-based tourism.”
The pristine and picturesque reserve has an abundance of coastal and marine life, also known as one of the best spots in South Africa to do land-based whale watching.
Picture: Cape Nature