Geography
Not far from Pearly Beach is Dyers Island, a breeding colony for jackass penguins. Not far from Dyers Island is Geyser Island, a breeding ground for seals. As the area around these Islands teems with an abundance of sea life, it has become a notorious feeding ground for the Great White shark which frequents its waters in large numbers.
Dyers Island is named after Samson Dyer, an American who came to the Cape in 1806, and who lived on Dyers Island where he collected guano for fertilizer.
Tourism
The village lazes partly obscured between heather covered dunes which undulate for kilometers above a magnificent shoreline. Its caravan park, shaded by ancient milkwood trees, is completely sheltered. Vast sandy stretches offer good angling sports. In season perlemoen (abalone) and crayfish diving is a popular sport. Swimming in the aquamarine sea or lazing on the dazzing, pearly beach is so enjoyable that visitors return year after year.

Coordinates: 34,39 19,29

Gansbaai at De Kelders has one of the oldest associations with man in the world. At the time when Neanderthal man was still the dominant species of genus Homo in Europe, a group of modern people (Homo sapiens sapiens) had already made Klipgat Cave their home. Remains have been excavated showing modern man living here more than 70,000 years ago.[citation needed] Klipgat Cave is located in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, next to De Kelders, the residential shore area of Gansbaai. As one of only three places in South Africa where such old remains have been excavated, Klipgat Cave is one of the most important historical sites in the Western Cape. The reserve and the cave are open to the public.

The earliest evidence of the presence of sheep-herding Khoi people (after the hunter-gatherer-"San", the original indigenous population of the Western Cape) in the Western Cape has been found in Klipgat Cave as well. Until the arrival of the first white settlers at the end of the 18th century, the Khoi people thrived in this region. An expedition sent by Jan van Riebeeck to the area, described meeting people of the so-called Chainouqua-tribe near Baardskeerdersbos, a rural hamlet, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Gansbaai. The river flowing through the Baardskeerdersbos Valley is still called "Boesmansrivier" (Afrikaans for Bushman's river). "Bushman" is a name commonly used the for San-people, but will in this case have reflected Khoi-people.

It was people of Khoi-descent that erected the first permanent settlement in the Gansbaai vicinity. In 1811 fishing-cottages were built at Stanfords Bay in De Kelders.

The first white settlers in the area were "trekboere" (nomadic farmers). They copied the Khoi herding techniques of using a grazing area until it was exhausted, then moving on to greener pastures. The area was big and fertile enough for such purposes. On many of the large farms around Gansbaai, the old and original homesteads and mudstone-houses tell of the days that the white farmers settled down.

Plaque commemorating the sinking of the Birkenhead, affixed to the Danger Point lighthouse.The troopship HMS Birkenhead was wrecked off Danger Point in 1852. A barely visible rock 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Danger Point (now aptly called "Birkenhead Rock") was fatal for the troopship carrying young Welsh and Scottish soldiers and their officers and family on their way to Eastern Cape to fight the Xhosa.
The Birkenhead became famous because it was the first shipwreck where the "women and children first" protocol was applied. All women and children were saved; most of the men perished. Most of the horses swam ashore and were the ancestors of a feral herd that roamed the plains east of Gansbaai until late in the 20th century.

Coordinates: 34,34 19,21E

Franskraal

4 km from Gansbaai.
Franskraal, at the edge of the Danger Point Peninsula, is an unpretentious town that at its western extreme is hugging the neighbouring coastal town of Kleinbaai. Franskraal is reached after a few km on the R 43 from Gansbaai.

Franskraal has a long sand-beach crossing the outlet of the Uilkraals-estuary, a known birding hotspot. Just next to the first row of houses of Franskraal is the entrance to a small but old milkwood-dominated forest. The marked "Groot Melkhoutbos Trail" is open to the public. Some interesting birds and plants canbe spotted here. Immediately at the cliffs of Franskraal is the Strandveld Museum, a little historical gem. It gives insight in the local history and has the largest collection of relics of the HMT Birkenhead that wrecked at Danger Point in 1852.

Strandveld Museum - A small privately owned museum at the cliffs of Franskraal. The Strandveld Museum is a little gem. The museum has the largest collection of relics of the HMT Birkenhead, that wrecked off Danger Point and several other historical items. The owners are local historians and marvellous story tellers who gladly take you on a trip through time. Die "quaint little museum" vlak teen die see op Franskraal, is in besit van die grootste versameling Birkenhead relieke in privaat besit. Die museum behoort aan Jan en SD Fourie en word deur hulle befonds en behartig. Jan is een van die dorpskarakters, afgetrede onderwyser en kenner van die Strandveld en sy geskiedenis. Hy en sy vrou is bekende kontrei skrywers. Sy vrou SD, is 'n gekwalifiseerde nasionale toergids, ken die streek soos die palm van haar hand en organiseer gereeld interessante toere in die streek. Die Spooktoer is al 'n legende in die Strandveld is altyd vol bespreek. Jan se stories, sy konsertina en mondfluitjie is reeds wêreldbekend. Ook sy afwesigheid by die museum! Skakel die toerismekantoor of sy vrou. Hulle kry hom soms opgespoor.skraal Die Strandveld Museum word gehuisves in die destydse hoofman van Dyerseiland se woning tydens sy besoeke aan die "mainland". Groot Melkhout trail - Franskraal Though this small trail is situated right next to the Franskraal residential area, the presence of Franskraal close-by is not noticed anymore the moment one walks under the canapés of the Milkwood trees. The trail is a circular route of 2 km and it takes just about an hour to complete if the nature lover takes time to enjoy what the bush has to offer. Informative brochure is obtainable from the tourism office. DOGS SHOULD BE ON LEASH THE WHOLE TIME.

The Strandveld Museum The quaint Strandveld Museum houses the largest collection of relics of the HMT Birkenhead which was wrecked at Danger Point in 1852 amongst several other historical collections and artefacts.

The owners of this stunning little coastal gem are local historians Jan and SD Fourie who lovingly dedicate their time and knowledge to the upkeep of this significant attraction. This formidable husband and wife team will amuse and enthrall visitors with stories of the area.

SD is a qualified National Tour Guide and is renowned for her extensive knowledge of the area. She arranges several tours which are booked up well in advanced one of which is the legendary “Spook Toer” (Ghost Tour), known to be booked up well in advance.
Jan, a retired teacher and aficionado on matters “Strandveld” and history thereof, will entertain and impart all his knowledge as only he knows how. Concertina and mouth organ always close by

Kleinbaai is situated 3 km outside of the town area of Gansbaai and is one of the reasons why Gansbaai itself came on the map of nature-based tourism. The shark-diving boats leave from the boat launch at the small but charming natural harbour of Kleinbaai as well as one of the whale-watching boats, that also takes you on a tour around Dyer Island and Geyser Rock.

A gravel road connects Kleinbaai along the rugged coast with many rockpools to the lighthouse at Danger Point. Though not very suitable for cars (even 4x4's struggle with this road), this track along the coast is a beautiful hike.

Coordinates: 34,37 19,21