Elm Tree Guest Cottages
St Helena Bay, West Coast, South Africa

A warm West Coast welcome to Elm Tree Cottages

Elm Tree Cottages are an ideal base for exploring the West Coast: whales, dolphins, abundant bird life, pristine beaches, spring wild flowers, fishing.  A nature lover's paradise, only 90 minutes drive from Cape Town, with a wonderful climate and that laid-back West Coast way of life.  Whether you want a relaxing break, or plan to sample some of the varied activities on offer, our comfortable, fully-equipped self-catering accommodation overlooking the harbour and beautiful St Helena Bay is your home from home during your stay.

View of bayYour new host, Anna Ivanisevic has lived and travelled extensively throughout Europe and South Africa but has chosen to settle in this special and unspoiled corner of South Africa, where the pace of life is unhurried, the people are friendly and the vast natural landscapes are simply breathtaking.   The ideal place for her to indulge in her passion for driftwood and seashell art as well as painting.

St Helena Bay was "discovered" by the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama on the 7th November 1497, during an eight day stay on his pioneer voyage from Europe to India.  He named the bay after Saint Helena, who died in 330 AD, a devout and influential Christian  and the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.  It was on the shores of this bay that the first encounter took place between a European explorer and the indigenous Khoikhoi who were nomadic herders and pastoralists with vast herds of sheep and cattle.  

Sandy Point HarbourNowadays, St Helena Bay is a major fishing centre and popular tourism destination, particularly during the spring wild flower season, with visitors from all over the world who come for relaxation and recreation.  Ancient granite hills and boulders form a backdrop to the village and offer stunning views of the bay and across to the Piketberg mountains, while the white sandy beaches are perfect for beachcombing and even a refreshing dip in the Atlantic.

Main Farmhouse

Elm Tree Guest Cottages are attractively situated on our smallholding or 'farmette', with its growing family of geese, ducks, tortoises, terrapins, dogs and chameleons.  Elm Tree Farm was named by the original owner after her grandfather's farm in Gloucestershire, which was encircled by ancient English elm trees and yes, we even have one of our own growing here, along with our young olive trees and a variety of other fruit trees in the orchard.

 

Please feel free to have a good browse through our site, where you can find out more about our accommodation and the activities available in the area and if we can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Come and relax with us - West Coast Style!