Calming coastal oasis
Tucked away down the seaside lanes of Struisbaai, settled upon the dunes that meet the Cape Agulhas in the Overberg, Despacito reveals its white beach house walls, that nod to a Mexican-inspired sanctuary.
There’s something delightfully unique about Struisbaai. According to the owner of Despacito, it’s as good as a tropical island getaway, without the palm trees and the Piña Coladas. More of a rustic, raw and rugged, laidback stillness. Turquoise waters and long stretches of pearly white sands. Fynbos veld amongst the dunes. And a venerable South African vintage in the ice bucket. As the Spanish name suggests, slowly does it. Despacito implores you and your giddy holiday clan to go as gently as the waves rise and fall on the Overberg beach. Drifting through your days beside the sea in a resplendent state of resignation. Answering to the call of ice cream, the sounds of the seagulls flocking to the fisherman’s market, and the pacifying pace of a summer’s day. Yes, this old fishing village seems to be dishing up the good life in buckets and spades of simplicity. From the southernmost point of Africa.
Less than a 100 metres from the shoreline, Despacito digs her Mexican-inspired white-washed walls into the vanilla sands and layers little pockets of living, cooking, gathering and entertaining spaces like a beach hacienda does best. Cocooning from the wind, opening out to the sun, nurturing the nature, and welcoming the light. All of the rich earthy textures and tones generously displayed throughout the home, adding to the sentiment of taking things slow. The entire house being built and considered around the existence of the goose-feathered couch! A mammoth mountain of comfort for all to climb upon and settle into the living space that fosters familial fun. Three bedrooms with their beautifully appointed bathrooms – one with a Rasul steam room! – can accommodate as many as eight of you. The upstairs loft room being ideal for the kids with a games and TV area as a necessary appendage. Plenty of fireplaces and fire pits for gathering around – whatever the weather. Cooking up a seafood storm – sourced from the fish market at the harbour – in the open-plan kitchen. The kids will be playing with their puzzle pieces or perfecting their water colours on the canvas. A potjie simmering over the flames of the open braai. Of course, when the wind is out to sea with the whales, you’ll be in the pool or on the swinging daybed, the hot tub or beside the boma. When it returns with its notorious gale, you’ll resume your positions around the puzzles, the fireplaces aplenty, the comfy reading nooks and that glorious kitchen.
Tranquility, simplicity and authenticity
All of the other moments will be made up of Struisbaai’s best kept secrets. Perfecting your surfing in the shallow waves at Robbie’s Surf School. Immediately on the beach, just a few minute’s walk from the beach house. Horse riding and e-Biking, beach walking and swimming, snorkelling and stingray spotting. The long-living resident stingray, Parries, will be in the shallows, gracefully drifting along the tepid currents. Ice cream feasts around the clock. Visits to the lighthouse and the harbour to source the freshest fish from the market. Collecting seashells and all of nature’s treasures along your walks. Witnessing the kids revelling in real entertainment. Savouring the slow pace of course. Pressing the pause button and letting the Struisbaai bliss be your travelling team’s default mode, from dawn til dusk.
What we love!
- All of the open fireplaces and the boma, the pizza making oven in the braai that adds to the family fun of creating wonderful meals. And making those lifelong memories.
- The Rasul steam room in the main ensuite that offers a luxurious spa treatment with all of the body scrubs and essential oils, added for extra pampering.
- Climbing the dunes and setting down on a blanket, smorgasbord of snacks and treats to sip on as you watch the sunset. A little evening ritual for everyone to enjoy the marking of the end of the day together.
- Long swims in the tame ocean that’s warm and inviting around the clock.
- It’s a birding haven! You’ll have your Robert’s book and binoculars wherever you go, as the sightings are aplenty.
What you need to know…
- There are a number of beautiful long nature walks along the beach and into the reserve. Head to Struisbaai-Plaat, climb the lighthouse, and visit the fish market for an adventure. The southernmost tip of Africa is only a 4-5Km drive away from the beach house. It’s a coastal village so there only a couple of convenience stores for you to stock up on your supplies. But that’s all part of the charm!
- For a fun family morning of activities, join in on the humour at Robbie’s Surf School and try to catch some of the very tame waves on the beach.
- The home- built by the owner – has been beautifully designed to accommodate the changing temperament with the wind. You and the clan will never feel ‘stuck’ in the house, or smothered by one another when the wind blows. There’s a place and an activity for everyone.
- Struisbaai is considered to have a higher concentration of whales than Hermanus! It’s home to a plethora of oceanic wildlife to have the binoculars at the ready, at all times.
- If Despacito is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in the Overberg.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie