Becoming a Tourist in My Hometown: Exploring Sedgefield

A tranquil estuary scene with calm water reflecting the cloudy sky. Two vegetation covered beach dunes frame a narrow sandy beach in the centre, with the open ocean visible in the distance. — *A serene view of the tranquil Swartvlei estuary as it meets the Indian ocean, bordered by lush, vegetation covered beach dunes.*

In the heart of the Garden Route district in the Western Cape province of South Africa lies my beautiful hometown of Sedgefield. My daughter, Mari and I decided to play tourist for a day in this town that we love.

Cola Beach: Our Morning Kickoff

We started the day at one of the four main beaches of Sedgefield, named Cola Beach. From there, we followed our own devised route past Myoli Beach, the Swartvlei estuary, and along the lagoon all the way to Fish Eagle Green. After lunch, we headed off to our all-time favorite beach, Swartvlei.

Embracing a Blustery Winter Morning

A solitary tree branch standing upright in the sand on a cloudy beach with waves in the background. — *A lone tree branch stands in the sand against the backdrop of a cloudy sky and ocean waves.*

A misty, overcast day on a deserted beach with soft sand, gentle waves, and green cliffs in the background. — A tranquil beach scene on a misty, overcast day, featuring the gentle waves, smooth sand, and green cliffs of Cola Beach, Sedgefield.

It was a rather blustery winter morning, but that did not deter us or some other locals from having a beach walk. From the moment you get out of your vehicle in the Cola Beach parking lot, it is clear that this beach is incredibly dog-friendly. There is a little “Doggie Oasis” where dog owners can pour some of the water that was left over by their own dogs in a bowl for other four-legged friends who might have had too little. As we cleared the steps over the dune, we were greeted by an amazing beach view as far as the eye can see. I took a moment to appreciate the salty sea smell hanging on the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing, and the singing of the multitude of birds living in the dune thickets. After finishing the morning coffee that we brought along and taking a multitude of photos, we bundled back in the car to drive a little way down the road to Myoli Beach.

A mosaiced yellow boat named "Myoli" displayed on a pedestal with a mosaic Knysna seahorse statue in the background. — *Well crafted mosaic statues of a fishing boat and a delightful depiction of a Knysna Seahorse.*

Discovering Myoli Beach

At this beach, we were greeted by a darling mosaic seahorse. It is a depiction of a Knysna seahorse that is endemic to this little corner of the world. They are unique little creatures that live in estuarine environments and currently only occur in the estuaries of Knysna, Swartvlei, and Keurbooms. We feel very privileged to have them as some of our local inhabitants and try to take care of them as best we can. Clearing the crest of the sand dune between the parking lot and the beach, I was once again greeted by this incredible expanse of beach. If the tide is right, it is possible to walk from Cola Beach all the way to Gericke’s Point at Swartvlei Beach, and if you have it in you, you could probably walk all the way to Leentjies Klip at Wilderness. I have not done my research on that last part yet, but it is a thought that I am playing with…

Exploring the Swartvlei Estuary

A wide view of a coastal landscape with a sandy beach curving along the shoreline, a river flowing into the ocean, and hills in the background — *A stunning view of the curving sandy beach where the Swartvlei lagoon meets the Indian ocean.*

Next stop is the Swartvlei Estuary, where the Swartvlei lagoon meets the Indian Ocean. During good rain years, this river mouth is open and the lagoon water becomes quite salty due to the ocean water pushing up the river during high tide. However, there are times when the river mouth is closed off due to river water levels dropping too low and sand washing into it. This all contributes to a very interesting ecosystem. But this is not a biology lesson. Back to playing tourist.

Birdwatching at the Lagoon Lookout Point

A calm river with green hills in the background and an old boat resting on the sandy shore. — *An old boat rests on the sandy shore of the Swartvlei lagoon, peacefully awaiting its next outing.*

Continuing along the route, our next stop is at the lagoon lookout point. I am reminded again how ample the birdlife is on this lagoon. Huge flocks of Red-knobbed coots, Common Moorhens, and a plethora of different ducks are always floating on the lake. Today, I was lucky enough to spot a Spoonbill or two and some herons. If you come at the right time of the year, you might also spot some flamingos hanging about. Though they are quite far away, I take my chances to snap a few shots, making a mental note to come back sometime with Dad’s telephoto lens.

Here at the lookout point is also our mosaiced little VW Beetle where you can take a nice picture to commemorate your Sedgefield visit. All these mosaic artworks that can be seen throughout town are a job creation initiative that is run at the Masithandane community center in Smutsville. The people of the community are taught the art in an effort to help them generate an income for their households. They make these artworks to give back to the town that supported them – a beautiful story.

A Quick Drive to Fish Eagle Green

Mari is getting edgy with her mom, and hangryness (hungriness turning into anger) is setting in as it’s almost lunchtime. “Let’s just do a quick drive through the island to Fish Eagle Green,” I

convince her. And I wasn’t disappointed. The day has cleared, and we had beautiful blue skies overhead, loads of birds on the water, and, lo and behold, some Fish Eagles calling out in the skies above. I snapped about a thousand shots but realized that my ‘bird in flight’ skills need a lot of work. I include the best of the bunch anyway, as this majestic king of the skies is something to behold. After watching the Fish Eagles soaring higher and higher, eventually disappearing in the distance, I realize that we really need to get something to eat and some coffee. Slow Roasted (my favourite coffee-shop in Sedgefield), here we come!

*Fish Eagle soaring majestically overhead.*

*The beautiful Crane-like Strelitzia flowers are peacefully overlooking the flocks of birds floating on the Swartvlei lagoon.*

*Flocks of birds floating or standing peacefully on Swartvlei lagoon.*

Enjoying the Slow Town of Sedgefield

We take a drive past one of the mosaic turtles that are scattered around town to remind tourists and locals alike that this is a “Slow Town.” Sedgefield is part of the Cittaslow movement, which promotes quality of life and sustainability. This means we focus on preserving our natural environment, supporting local artisans and farmers, and fostering a sense of community. We embrace a slower pace of life, encouraging everyone to take time to enjoy nature, savour local cuisine, and connect with one another. As we breathe in the fresh air and soak in the tranquillity, it’s clear that this approach to living makes Sedgefield a truly special place.

Discovering the Hidden Gem of Swartvlei Beach

*A beautiful, peaceful beach view from Swartvlei Beach towards the Swartvlei Estuary.*

After taking a well-deserved breather, we travel along the N2 highway in the direction of George. Just after crossing the bridge over the Swartvlei lagoon, we take the nondescript turnoff that can be easily overlooked and definitely has no indication of the hidden gem that lies at the end of the road. This is Swartvlei Beach.

Now I can get super sentimental about this place, and this blog will turn into a book! Suffice it to say that this place is interwoven into my life like no other place. This is where I met my husband, where our family holidayed (Mari was only 3 days old when she first came here), and where I escape to find myself. The influence of this piece of earth on a person’s life is inexplicable; once you’ve been here, you just want to return. I will leave it at that.

A black oystercatcher bird with a bright red beak and legs standing on a sandy beach near the edge of the water. — *A black oystercatcher wades in the shallow water along the sandy shore, showcasing its vibrant red beak and legs.*

Reflecting on a Day Well Spent

So, I end my day having enjoyed being a tourist in my hometown for a change. I encourage you to do the same. You tend to discover parts of your hometown long since forgotten. As I watch the Black Oystercatcher wandering along the beach, I realize how lucky I am to call this place home.

A coastal scene with waves crashing onto the shore and a Sphinx-like sandstone rock formation in the distance under a clear sky. — *The Sphinx-like rockformation of Gericke’s Point, staring out at the ocean.*