Lekkerwater Beach Lodge

• Premium beverages will be at an additional cost
• Park Fees of R50 per person per night are payable in cash or card on arrival at the Cape Nature Park gate
• Exclude Conservation Levy of R300pppn payable direct
• Guests should arrive at the lodge car park for 14h00 
• Departure time from the lodge is scheduled for 10h15

Access to Lekkerwater is via the Potberg Park Entrance (not the Morukuru and De Hoop Collection entrance gate). From the Potberg entrance gate it is 14.8km (30-45 minutes drive) to the lodge's car park. De Hoop Nature Reserve Gates open at 08h00 and close at 16h00.

• Children 6 years and older are welcome, however this property is best suited for older children and couples.
• There is only 1 Family Suite at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, so please do send an enquiry to check availability and request a quotation to [email protected]
• Up to 2 children under 18 years are able to share the Family Suite with 2 adults at 50% of the adult sharing rate per child.
• Children 19 years and older will be charged as adults and will require their own room.

Where the Mountains meet the Sea...

A mere three (and a bit) hour drive from Cape Town, in the eastern, most exclusive sector of De Hoop Nature Reserve, is Lekkerwater Beach Lodge. Undoubtedly one of the most glorious coastal reserves in Africa, the area offers extraordinary beauty and blissful seclusion.

The reserve is famous for some of the best whale watching on the planet from mid-July to November. Southern Right whales and their offspring flock here in their hundreds from Antarctica. It’s not simply whales either, you’ll also spot sizeable pods of dolphin and all sorts of marine life in this – the ultimate, land-based marine safari.

Lekkerwater itself (literally meaning ‘the place of good water’) offers a homely and comfortable beach experience in a magical setting. Each of the seven rooms are located right on a six-kilometre stretch of private beach, complete with stunning rock pools and aquatic life. Activities-wise, there are walks with experienced naturalists, an array of fynbos to be discovered, a plethora of marine life to be explored, and even the occassional passing buck to be spotted on the hills behind the lodge.

The seven rooms at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge are positioned along six-kilometres of pristine white sand. The spectacular vistas take centre stage and each is fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlook the Indian Ocean and marine life ahead. Each is positioned perfectly for a unique view over the surroundings, and small verandas outside provide the perfect spot to soak up the magic. Inside, the rooms are earthy and comfortable, taking inspiration from the natural beauty of the reserve. Each room has an ensuite bathroom with amenities, while a wood-burning stove takes away the chill in the winter mornings and evenings. 

At the main area, expect the same fabulous views and a wraparound deck from which to enjoy them from. An interactive, open kitchen is at the heart of the lodge and guests will dine, family-style or individually per party group, at the indoor tables or outside, feet-in-the-sand style, on the beach.

The De Hoop Marine Protected Area, is essentially a game reserve in the sea where there can be no fishing or marine exploitation of any form and as a visitor at De Hoop, you’ll spot carefree pods of dolphins and all sorts of marine life. The good news is that whale numbers are climbing and in 2018, a total of 1116 whales were spotted in the annual September aerial count, almost double the average numbers for this time of year.

Inland, on the rolling grassy plains, you may be lucky enough to spot a rare Cape mountain zebra, bontebok, rhebok and even eland. Leopard and caracal are also said to live in the area but are much harder to spot. It’s also one of South Africa’s most important birding areas with over 260 recorded species in the reserve!

De Hoop is something of a secret for most visitors – and South Africans themselves. Located just over 3 hours away from Cape Town, De Hoop is a proclaimed Provincial Nature Reserve, administered by Cape Nature, and is one of the largest in their portfolio at 34,000 hectares (around 75,000 acres) in size.  Directly offshore is the De Hoop Marine Protected Area (MPA) which stretches for 46 kilometres along the coast from west to east and over 5 kilometres out to sea. This MPA is an extremely important fish sanctuary where no fishing is allowed.

The reserve is a glorious melee of fynbos and beach, sand dunes and wetlands, all framed by the dramatic Potberg Mountains and the Indian Ocean. It is, of course, famous for whale-watching, but the landscape itself is just as magnificent. The area is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, classified as a World Heritage Site in 2004, and everywhere you turn you’ll find all manner of plant species, flowers and ecosystems. In fact, 12 of those species are found nowhere else in the world! And the best bit of all? As no one else knows about it, you’ll have the stunning reserve all to yourself…

Lekkerwater is located on one of the most spectacular and secluded beach destinations in South Africa, where you can enjoy many activities, such as the below:

• Guided marine explorations and intertidal zone walks to thriving rock pools and caves
• Guided fynbos and nature walks & explorations
• Dolphin watching, all year round
• One of the planet’s best “hot tubs” with a view!
• Learn about the fascinating history of the area from 100,000 years ago till today

The drive to Lekkerwater Beach Lodge takes around three-and-a-half hours from Cape Town via Caledon & Bredasdorp. Guests enter the De Hoop Reserve via the Potberg Gate in the East. From the Potberg gate it is a 14.6km, 45-minute drive to the Lekkerwater car park, where you will leave your car for the 6km transfer to the lodge in the lodge’s 4x4 vehicles.

Please make sure that you read the detailed driving instructions before departure. The meeting & collection time at the Lekkerwater Car Park is at 2pm, so please plan accordingly. You will be dropped off back at the Car Park at the end of your stay at around 11am.

If you are lost, please call or WhatsApp the lodge at 072 252 2905. Please note: There is an additional park entry fee payable in cash or card to Cape Nature when you enter De Hoop Reserve at the Potberg Gate. This is currently R50 per person per night.