Doringbaai once thrived as a fishing community,
but today the small harbor is hardly used and the fishing
factory is struggling along. Luckily Doringbaai has much to
offer visitors, with spectacular ocean views from the cliff
paths, unique coastal vegetation, sea birds and (in season)
- wildflowers, whales and dolphins.
Before the town was formally established,
the bay was used as an anchorage on a northwards trading route.
Old stories tell that provisions would be off-loaded here
and then transported to Vanrhynsdorp by camel. As if to confirm
the bay's status as one time trading hub, a lighthouse still
serves as beacon to local fishermen and passing shipping traffic.
Doringbay
is well known for Heavyside dolphin and is a good place to
spot migrating whales in early spring. There is a hiking trail
along the deserted beach between Doringbaai and Strandfontein.
GETTING THERE
Take the R362 or R363 from the N7 at Klawer
(50km past Clanwilliam) and travel along the Olifants River
past Papendorp and Strandfontein. The last few kilometers
of the road down to Doringbaai is un surfaced. In total about
70km from the N7.