Noetzie Beach,
Early maps of this area call it Noetziekamma which means “dark water in the Khoi-San language. The reason for this is the tannins that filter into the river from the indigenous forest trees. Many years back a track was established where ox wagons could be driven to the beach when local farmers wanted a seaside holiday. Timber and iron cottages were built and the first “turreted castle” was erected on the hillside in the milkwood forest in the 1930s.
Just 15 minutes from Knysna the Noetzie beach is never crowded. Fish eagles and otters call Noetzie their home. There is little development in the area as a conservancy project protects the place. Steep stairways also discourage visitors, so the beach is somewhat isolated. One can go Hiking, canoeing, swimming or just exploring. The “castles” are hired out to holidaymakers. The beach is easily accessible from the N2 To get there take the dirt road at Nekkies going towards the coast. You can then walk a short distance to this secluded beach.
Noetzie Beach is at the edge of the Sinclair Nature Area, Noetzie itself is protected by the Noetzie Conservancy; a collective of residents, owners, and concerned parties formed in 1999. The Conservancy is dedicated to maintaining this pristine site for locals and visitors alike. Access to the beach is by a steep, narrow old wagon road. This ends abruptly just above the sand There is no parking area and very little turning space. Private vehicles are not permitted to use it. Then there is a set of 116 stone and concrete steps hewn into the cliff from the parking area down to the beach. Be aware that you will need to climb back up at the end of your visit.
In 1881 a three-masted French schooner called the Phoenix was found stuck on the rocks by some fishermen and woodcutters. The ship was deserted and the last entry in the logbook had been written five years previously. It had been abandoned out at sea and somehow blown or brought in on the tides to the beach. There is no information known about what happened to the crew.
34° 04′ 46″ S 23° 07′ 42″ E
Check the tides here
