Keurboomstrand

History of Keurboomstrand

Province: Western Cape
Garden Route
Coordinates:34°00′S 23°27′E
Area:9.75 km2
Municipality: Bitou

Keurboomstrand, often simply called “Keurbooms,” is a coastal village located about 12 kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay. The name “Keurboomstrand” comes from the Keurboom tree (Virgilia oroboides), which is native to the region and known for its beautiful pink-purple flowers. This seaside village is known for its pristine, unspoiled beaches, which stretch for kilometres along the Indian Ocean, offering breathtaking views and a tranquil environment.

. The area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as hiking, beach walks, birdwatching, and water sports like kayaking and swimming. The nearby Keurbooms River provides opportunities for boating and fishing, and the surrounding forests and fynbos-covered hills offer scenic trails for hiking and exploring.

The Matjes River Rock Shelter, located in the region, holds significant historical value with Bushmen artefacts dating back to the Neolithic period, around 11,000 years ago. In 1630, the Portuguese ship São Gonçalo was wrecked near Keurboomstrand. The surviving crew was marooned for eight months, marking the first European settlement in South Africa.