Seems like visiting the beach means different things to different people including sports, collecting, walking, watching, listening and just absorbing the energy.
Living at least half the year in Arizona means I rarely get to the beach. Unless you count back millions of years to the sediments deposited here from ocean beaches of the past. But while on holiday I had the choice of two oceans for beaches in South Africa, the Indian and Atlantic.
Indian Ocean
After almost three weeks traveling through National Parks in the northeast of South Africa it was almost time to say goodbye to my friend and travel companion Joan so we headed to the beach for a couple days.
Was terribly windy our first day near Bushman’s River Mouth. But we lucked out on a better sheltered beach later and it was just nice to walk barefoot on the sand.
On our last night together we stayed at Seaview B&B in Kidds Beach which is more rock than sand but offered some interesting looks into tide pools.
And a glorious sunrise.
Tsitsikamma National Park
One of my favorite things to do at the beach is just sit and listen to the crashing waves which I did for a couple of days at Storms River Mouth Tsitsikamma National Park. In fact I was so transfixed that after leaving here to visit a friend I returned for a couple of days staying in shore-side chalets. I sat on the porch and absorbed the ocean energy.
Being joined by the seagulls who were also looking for handouts. Or were they waiting for their turn on the laptop?
Morning coffee with a dose of sunrise reflecting on the ocean spray captivated my attention.
And hours later I was still enthralled with these never ceasing always changing waves and colors.
While staying at Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge everybody becomes friends so several of us headed to the nearby beach in Nature’s Valley, also part of Tsitsikamma National Park. We jumped and splashed with much laughing and giggling. Drawing our names in the sand and helping little Bongi get over her fear of the waves.
Just down the beach these two fishermen were trying their best yet I never saw a fish come off the lines. Could be just another way to enjoy the beach.
Atlantic Ocean
After a great mountain fix I arrived on the west coast at Langebaan where I saw people kite surfing. Lessons are offered but I didn’t fly over the ocean as my shoulders won’t take it. I would have if I could have. And although I really had no intention of swimming I did buy a bikini, first one in decades. Sorry no photo to gross you out.
I spent most of my time enjoying West Coast National Park in Langebaan and got in a few more beaches as well.
Bird hides along the Saldanha Bay provided a quiet opportunity to watch the birds on the beach without disturbing them. My favorite was the flamingos with their crazy legs.
Sometimes even the birds hide like this Red-knobbed Coot.
And there were plenty of shells to admire
along the Atlantic shore with it’s crashing waves.
I’m kind of more a mountain and forest person so the beach is an environment of unfamiliar wonder. I think I could live here, at least for a while.
What kind of activities do you enjoy most at the beach?
Linking in with Boomer Travel Blogger Roundup this month with a beach theme. Hope you’ll visit all these exquisite beach posts.
What great ocean shots and experiences. The shot of the sunrise reflected on the waves is amazing. I have never seen anything like it before. I love the oceans, there is a huge difference in being on a beach in Adelaide, in a gulf to being at the open ocean where the waves come crashing in from Antarctica. That is where i get really energised.
Thanks Arija. The ocean waves really are energizing.
Wow, Gaelyn, those sun reflections on the waves, are awesome. Great captures of our two oceans in South Africa and as always, great post! Thanks for the link back to our meeting in Knysna. I popped in there and remembered all over again. Hugs, Jo
Thanks Jo. Half the fun of blogging is the memories we record.
We camped in the Tsitsikamma National Park at Storms River the one year and I loved the sound of the waves on the rocks. The first night at home I complained to the Damselfly about the fact that it was so quiet and that I couldn’t hear the sea.
Truly is a magical sound.
Wow a post with two oceans. I love it!! GREAT pictures! I’m definitely a water person and love being around all kinds of water but the ocean is my very favorite. I love visiting the desert, there is such a spiritual feel about it, but I don’t think I could happily live there.
I could spend part of the year at the ocean, same true for the desert.
Great shots—all of them. I specially like the way you captured the spray from the waves. I don’t seem to be able to do that.
I like to walk the beach and just look and listen and then take pictures. I enjoy the solitude of the beaches here. MB
Thanks MB. I took hundreds of photos to catch some wave spray ones.
I am a born beachcomber. I find lots of ‘beach stuff’ and also the occasional set of keys that I am usually pretty good in returning…there’s always a clue.
Love that first shot.
If I’m on the beach, I’m combing. Have never found any keys. Must be like playing detective to return them.
Beautiful beach photos! I really love the one of the light on the waves.
I love to walk in the sand, listen to the waves, and watch the sunrise and sunset.
I took literally 100s of wave photos trying to capture the splashes but that morning the light was just so amazing I seemed to catch them all.
Oh Gaelyn, what a wonderful beach tour. I love a quiet wild beach. Quiet as in few people, wild as in surf and rocks to explore. Definitely not the kind where the ocean is calm and the sand is full of people baking/frying on blankets. This translates into: I love beaches in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon/Washington) and not so much the ones in Florida.
You captured the surf breaking on those rocks so beautifully….that’s my idea of what a beach should look like.
(I don’t mean to sound like a complete hermit. Being with friends and teaching the little girl to enjoy the waves would be a joy!)
I too prefer a wild beach not covered with baking people. I took 100s of photos to capture the splashing waves. Was fun to be with new friends on the beach.
I have camped at Tsitsikamma a couple of times. Thanks for the memories. Have a great day. Diane
Definitely my favorite SA beach so far.
Gorgeous shots Gaelyn. I could use the beach right now. Absolutely stunning photos you present today. I would love some coffee and reads to go with that beach:)
I’m catching up:) It has been crazy over here. Never a dull moment.
Thanks Chris. I wouldn’t mind being back on a South African beach right now. But the the canyon will do, for a few months. You’ll be on the beach before too long.
These photos are stunning! What a beautiful spot…
I’m not much for water sports, so I just like relaxing at the beach 🙂
Great shots, Gaelyn. I really liked the morning shot with the spray. I could sit all day and listen to the waves, too. I think they are soothing for one’s soul, whether a mountain or beach person.
My stay at Tsitsikamma was very rejuvenating. Guess I need to get to the beach more often.
Love those shots. I’ve always been more of a mountain person than a beach bum, but I’m a sucker for a nice beach sunset 🙂
Got to love that huge horizon.
Writing your names in the sand really took me back — I haven’t thought about that in years, but we always did that as kids at the beach. Next time, I’m writing my name in the sand. Loved all of your photos of both ocean’s beaches. Nothing like watching a sunrise on the ocean with a good cup of coffee and a good friend.
It was such a fun afternoon, like we all turned into kids again.
Boy are those photos beautiful. I must admit, South Africa is one of my favorite places I have visited. These photos capture the vastness and majesty of that part of the work.
Patricia
Thanks Patricia. I’ve fallen in love with South Africa and plan to return in November.
I love the sound of sitting on a porch and absorbing the ocean energy.
The power, the rhythm, the sound, the smell – its all so intoxicating 🙂
I can feel the waves calling me back already.
You really had some beautiful beaches to explore and savour. When I think of beaches I think of long walks, shells, coral and driftwood.
There are so many sea gifts to enjoy on the beach.
The last time I remember writing in the beach sand, I wrote “All the Way with LBJ” which means it must have been during the 1960’s! (I was a political junkie at a ridiculously early age.) The only time I’ve ever seen the Indian Ocean was from the other side — in Perth, Australia.
You need to get to the beach and write something new in the sand.
The beaches at each ocean seem to have their own distinctive character. The ocean is one of my favorite places to be.
The two oceans’ beaches were very different.
As you explore the 80 km of rocky coastline incorporated into the Tsitsikamma Park, you will discover a section where the Indian Ocean breakers pound relentlessly against cliffs towering at a height of 180 meters over the rocky shores beneath. The cliffs provide an excellent vantage point from which to view the dolphins and porpoises frolicking in the waves below or Southern Wright whales that come here to give birth. A little further inland you will discover valleys laden with mountain fynbos – South Africa’s own indigenous and protected ‘wonder plant’. The evergreen forest and fynbos combine to form a lush carpet bordered and divided by exquisitely beautiful rivers and ravines that have been carved out over the ages as they make their way back to the ocean. However the fynbos isn’t the only protected part of nature in this park and you will find in amongst the animals which live here a number of protected species which deserve special attention. Among these are the African Black Oystercatcher and the Blue Duiker. Other beauties which can be found here are the Cape Clawless Otter and the Knysna Loerie.
Thanks for all the additional information.
I like your post too much, the beaches near the oceans are so beautiful, thanks to share this nice post. I am teaching kiteboarding/kitesurfing lessons in South Florida.
Cheers
Nicole