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This rather schizophrenic town is officially known as Waenhuiskrans but everyone calls it Arniston. The official name, which means “Wagon House Cave”, refers to an enormous sea cave that
is big enough to park an ox wagon (and a team of oxen) in. It’s a
beautiful cave and it’s a lovely walk to get to it but watch the tides.
You absolutely do not want to get caught there at high tide! The more
familiar name refers to the wreck of the Arniston,
which ran aground in 1815, with the loss of 372 lives – only 6 hardy
souls managing to struggle ashore. There is a small monument near the
beach.
Although Arniston is a pretty beach destination, with excellent surf, great sun tanning, swimming and fishing, one of the main attractions is the lovely fishing village. Thatched, white-washed cottages
dotted amongst the dunes stand out against the clear blue sky and attract photographers and painters
from miles around. Here’s a challenge – take a photograph or do a
painting of an Arniston cottage that isn’t kitsch. It can be done.
Arniston is also close to Cape Agulhas, which is the most southerly point of Africa and the official meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.