St Francis Bay is built on one of the most extensive canal networks in South Africa, a system of tidal waterways that threads through the village past the holiday houses and fynbos, connecting different parts of the bay in a way that only makes sense once you see it from the water. Milkwood Cottage and Berry Cottage both sit right on the canal edge, which means guests can set out directly from the property.
Hire kayaks locally and paddle at your own pace. There is no set route: you follow whichever channels look interesting, take the turns that seem promising, and double back when you have had enough. The canals are calm, sheltered from the open ocean, and tidal, so the water moves gently as the tide shifts. It is possible to paddle for a couple of hours and cover a surprising amount of ground without going anywhere near the sea.
No experience is needed. The canals are navigable by anyone who can sit in a kayak and hold a paddle, and they work well for children who are comfortable on open water. The morning is the best time: the water is glassier before the afternoon south-easter picks up, and the light on the canals in the early hours of the day is particularly worth seeing. If you are combining a paddle with a meal, The Riviera is canal-side and a natural end point for a morning on the water.
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