2000 Years Ago
The history of Arniston can be traced back to almost 2000 years ago. This was determined when archaeologists found various stone tools on the coastline from communities living there all those centuries ago. The name Arniston is connected to a shipwreck which took place in 1815. A total of 372 people lost their lives, with only 6 hardy souls managing to struggle their way to shore.
Back in the day, the area was inhabited by the nomadic Khoisan who set up camps on the coast. When the European settlers discovered the area, they named it Waenhuiskrans because they found a large cave in the area that looked as if it could house one of their large wagons used for transport. To the local fishers, the place is Kassiesbaai because of its little fishing village.
Overall, Arniston is a charming and tranquil place, probably best known for its well preserved, often photographed, whitewashed thatched cottages that line the bay and across the dunes.
Arniston is a small seaside town in the Overberg region on the Cape South coast, close to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. Afte...