Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool
Perched on the ocean’s edge, Whale Huys has beautiful unobstructed sea views from all living areas, dining areas and bedrooms. Fall asleep and wake to the sound of the waves gently lapping at the rocks below. Each of the four bedroom opens onto its own sea front balcony. The uninterrupted panoramic views of Walker Bay and the surrounding mountain range extend to Hangklip and even Cape Point on a clear day. Next to the infinity pool, a private path through the fynbos takes you to the water’s edge and links to a walking trail that extends from Gansbaai on one end to the pristine beaches of the Walker Bay Nature Conservancy near Hermanus on the other.
- Direct ocean front property with spectacular ocean views from every room - 4 en-suite bedrooms each with its own ocean-side balcony - High-speed Wireless internet & computer corner - Living room with fireplace - Unobstructed ocean views from every room - Infinity Pool, private fitness room - Fully-Equipped Open Gourmet Kitchen - Pool-side bar and outdoor braai area - Excellent land-based whale watching (July-Nov) - In nature, regular visitors include dozens of bird species, tortoises, dassies, mongooses and the occasional, duiker and cape otter - Planet friendly: solar PV, solar hot water with battery and grid back-up, grey water irrigation, eco-friendly amenities and cleaning products - Ideally situated for Easy access to the nature and culture of the Overberg, Western Cape
Less than two hours to Cape Town International Airport, Whale Huys is well positioned as a weekend escape from Cape Town or Johannesburg. In the other direction, just 85 km north of Cape Agulhas, the most Southern point in Africa, Whale Huys is also a great place to start your garden route tour
Whale Huys is directly on the Whale Coast in De Kelders, (Overberg region, Western Cape. South Africa) you can experience some of the best land based whale watching in the world (June to November) directly from the villa. Also during the rest of the year, dolphins, seals, dassies and dozens of species of birds provide a delightful contact with nature. Combining the warmth and character of traditional thatched roof architecture with the luxury of a modern holiday villa, Whale Huys has conveniences like basic satellite TV, wireless internet and a laptop you can use to check your mail or surf the web. A private chef and daily maid services are available at an extra charge. Whale Huys is your first step to relaxation.
Location, location, location De Kelders is one of the quietest communities on the Whale Coast. The fishing town of Gansbaai is just 5 minutes away with supermarkets, banks, a gym, and several cafes and restaurants. Stanford, a small town renowned for its excellent quaint country restaurants is 10 minutes by car. For a larger variety of shops Hermanus is just 25 minutes away on the other side of the bay. The area is rich in culture and things to do. Elim, a world heritage village, is 30 minutes away. Active adventures also abound, including wilderness and beach-side horseback riding (African Horse Company is just 10 minutes away). South Africa's shark cage diving capital, Kleinbaai, is just 10 minutes away. In fact, you can see all of the ‘Marine Big 5’ within a 15 minute radius of the villa.) A number of wine estates in the area offer some of the best wines of South Africa including the Hemel en Aarde valley, the Stanford Valley, and Lomond wines. Wine tasting can be done six days, and in some places 7 days a week.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve high chair
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
De Kelders
Located in De Kelders, this villa is on the waterfront. Village Square and Shopping Centre are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Grootbos Nature Reserve and Maanschynkop Nature Reserve. Rafting and surfing/body boarding offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and cycling nearby.
Giuseppe's Pizzeria & Cocktail Bar - 4 min drive
KFC - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool on 16 June 2026 start from NZ$454, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Whale Huys: Direct ocean-front villa, 4br/ba, Wifi, Infinity Pool located?
Situated on the waterfront, this villa is 0.6 mi (1 km) from De Kelders Strand and within 3 miles (5 km) of Klipgat Caves and Danger Point Lighthouse. Gansbaai Harbor is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The No1 quality of this property will always be the location, the view is simply world class! With that comes ample accommodation with 4 large en-suite bedrooms three sitting areas and a large dining table. Lots of nice touches including loads of beach towels, USB charging cables for any type mobile in each bedroom and even a gym! Even in November we had whale and dolphin sightings from the lounge.
David T.
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
J. Chris C.
8 May 2018
Amazing and Spectacular
Visiting from the USA so always a bit nervous about how it will turn out once you arrive.
As advertised. But advertising can't do it justice. A truly spectacular house, amazing views, great location. Vacation spot of a lifetime.
We can write a book about it, but it is better to come and visit! Everything was fantastic, including Nicky who welcomed us, and were so helpful with everything.
J. Chris C.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Thanks for the wondeful review, Chris. I'm delighted that you and your family had such a good stay. We hope to welcome you back at some point in the future.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Wendy S.
17 November 2022
Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Check-in, listing accuracy
Needs updating!
The location of the property was beautiful! We watched right whales bask in the water infront of us. Enjoyed a hike on the cliffs overlooking the water. The property was worn and definitely needs updating. Even the pool was not looked after and was loaded with bugs so we didn’t use it. The kitchen and baths need updating. We had some confusion checking in and were told to contact the wrong person. When we couldn’t reach her we were concerned. That has all been straightened out and website was updated. Overall a nice experience.
Wendy S.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 18 November 2022
Thank you for your feedback and I’m sorry you found our property in needs of updating. We always welcome feedback, and particularly negative feedback, as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.
My apologies about the confusion around the contact number. We haven’t had VRBO guests recently and I forgot to update the number for Leigh, our new manager. Leigh did try to contact you by text, but apparently your number wasn’t working. I have now updated all information on VRBO so thanks for flagging this.
KITCHEN: I suspect your comment refers to the under-counter garbage bins where the rails stick. We noticed this as well, and a cabinet maker came out last week to measure for a new system that will be done next week. Otherwise, you will have noticed that appliances are all top-end and quite new. Specifically, fridge and microwave are less than a year old. The granite countertop is 4 years old, but still like new. If there are things I may have missed, I would love to hear about it. I love to cook, so our aim is to have a kitchen that our guests love to cook in.
BATHROOMS: A year ago we retiled all shower floors/walls and replaced all showerheads and taps with designer mixers. I suspect your comments refers to the walls which are finished with Cemcrete, a smooth semi-gloss finish that reflects the patterns in the cement underneath. We chose this finish as we feel it reflects the rustic, earthy look we aspire to for the villa, but I realise this is not everyone’s taste.
POOL: I was sorry to hear about the bugs in the pool. It is serviced every Wednesday by a professional crew and Leigh does a check before guests arrive. The storm the Monday you arrived meant some bugs and leaves end up in the pool even with the cover on. Most guests find the weekly service sufficient, but we provide a net to remove anything that falls between maintenance visits.
Ultimately, I suspect some things come down to a difference in taste. You won’t find crystal chandeliers, marble bathrooms or gold taps at Whale Huys. Guests looking for this style of luxury will likely not find what they are looking for. We aspire to create a relaxed, comfortable, and clean environment of understated luxury for our guests. A space connected with nature where the wood beams and thatch roof are the defining architectural elements. A space where the amazing ocean views and surrounding nature are center stage. A space where guests feel immediately comfortable and at home.
Maison superbe et pleine de charme. Propriétaire charmante et disponible
Une superbe maison , parfaitement entretenue et très confortable Il ne manque rien pour réussir un séjour. En bordure de falaise, sur un site remarquable, un séjour de rêve. Tout est fait pour satisfaire les vacanciers. Un souhait? Y retourner. Intérieurement cette maison possède un cachet somptueux Encore merci aux propriétaires pour cette gentillesse et cette prévenance dans un si beau cadre de vie !
Michel L.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Dear Michel,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted that your stay was so enjoyable and that you loved Whale Huys so much. We hope to perhaps to welcome you back at some point in the future.
This house was amazing!!! We were a group of 7 friends and this accommodated us very well. The views were outstanding - we were able to sit at the window and whale watch for hours on end. Each bedroom was comfortable and had an ocean view. The location was lovely - we were able to go for long walks along the shoreline or throughout the neighborhood. The drive into town was an easy 5 minute drive. Leigh was a joy to work with. We left days ago and are still talking about the house - highly recommend!
David B.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Thank you for your very positive review. I'm so glad that you and your friends had such a nice stay. The views are indeed magical and I'm delighted you saw so many whales. We hope to welcome you back in the future.
Kind Regards,
Bruce Haase/Eelco Meesters
Owners
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie B.
3 April 2019
Outstanding
Incredible floor plan and location. There were eight of us, mostly chefs, and the kitchen was equipped with everything they needed! So thankful! Incredible rental.
Stephanie B.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Thanks, Stephanie,
So happy to hear you and your group had such a good time and particularly enjoyed the kitchen so much. It's indeed one of my favourite past times while I'm there as well -- particularly with the view!
We hope to welcome you back again sometime and enjoy the rest of your trip.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Adriana D.
2 October 2018
Magnificent villa in a stunning seeting
We loved everything about the property! Bruce, the owner has answered promptly all our questions and was a pleasure to communicate with him - only an email away. Nikky took excellent care of us and was always ready to help with recommendations. Our party was composed of three couples and a seven year old coming from Florida, New York and Bucharest.
As we came in the house for the first time we were blown away by the breathtaking views from the kitchen and dining/living area. As far as we could see, the ocean and the spectacularly unique fynbos welcomed us. Little did we knew at that time, but discovered later, the views were as magnificent from the upstairs bedrooms! The terrace is fantastic and the barbecue area made for fantastic Karoo lamb chops! The dining table was so inviting with a basket of goodies and beautiful bouquet of the endemic fynbos flowers. This attention to detail is just so precious and appreciated, as we found it everywhere in the house. The property was immaculately clean. The beds are extremely comfortable.
During our stay we had a very cold front with hail and howling wind, but the lovely fireplace and the electric blankets kept us cozy and happy. We were daily enchanted by the Southern right whales and their calves breaching and blowing just in front of us, while we were sipping fabulous South African wine. One of the couples in our party went to a wine tasting tour, easily organized from Hermanus and were impressed not only with the wine, but the food and the whole experience. Having been in wine tasting tours all over the world, they ranked it in the top. If you stay at this property, you should try "Creation".
The kitchen has high-end appliances, all pots and pans one might need, blenders, food processors and beautiful platters. I love gourmet cooking and found everything I needed to cook and present the dishes! With a Super Spar in Gansbaai, just five minutes drive from the property, Woolworth (in South Africa, this is upmarket) in Hermanus (30 minutes drive) and some small seasonal organic markets, you have fresh and delicious groceries to enable you to take full advantage of the kitchen.
The high-end restaurant at Grootbos was glorious as ever with a three course lunch we still dream about. The Cave at Hermanus has fantastic seafood with dramatic views of the whales. We are all nature lovers, so we went to De Mond Reserve, Flower Valley and Hermanus and enjoyed every second of our stay. THANK YOU!!!
Adriana D.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Thank you for the very positive review. It's always nice to have such enthusiastic guests. These are also some useful tips for future guests. We actually have never eaten at The Cave in Hermanus so we will have to check that one out.
If you ever make it back to South Africa, we hope to welcome you again.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Karin L.
13 August 2018
Great place!
We loved our stay at Whale Huys! It was conveniently located close to restaurants and shops. The location is very close to the beach and beautiful walks. We were a group of 8 and we found the house spacious. We loved sitting on the deck and balcony, watching the whales and stunning sunsets!
Karin L.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Thanks so much for taking the time to review Whale Huys. I'm happy to hear you enjoyed your stay so much and saw so many whales. There is truly something magical about seeing all the whales and their young calves in the bay. We hope to be able to welcome you back in the future!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Rachel C.
18 July 2017
Amazing view and home with a great host!
Oh my goodness, everything was amazing, from our lovely greeting from Nicky, the comfy house, to the view, the rocks... We even ate at the Blue Goose (restaurant that Bruce recommended) twice it was so good!! Everyone was so kind. Our shark diving was cancelled so we just spent most of the day enjoying the house and views! The kids had a great time exploring the rocks and trail directly in front of the home. We did go out with Marine Dynamics sister company to look for whales but honestly saw more from your front porch!! I can't thank you enough for a wonderful time! I would love to come back and spend a week on that front porch alone! Thank you Bruce for all the good info before we even got there and thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful home!
Rachel C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Dear Rachel,
I'm delighted you had such a good time and enjoy the villa as much as we do!
It's a pity the shark diving was cancelled, I understand there were Orcas in the bay and this causes the sharks to flee, but fortunately not the whales. This year there seem to be a lot of whales, so glad that worked out. Indeed, being higher up on the cliffs as we are, the Whale watching is usually better right from Whale Huys than it is from the whale boats.
We hope to welcome you and your family back at some point in the future!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Herman B.
6 May 2017
Fantastisch huis met waanzinnig uitzicht!
Wij (een familie met 2 kinderen van 12 en 9) hebben 4 dagen verbleven in de Whale Huys. In een woord; geweldig!! Het huis is van alle gemakken voorzien (onder andere BVN en WiFi), schoon en veilig. Een goed ontvangst en rondleiding van Jenene. Eigenaar Bruce helpt je met tips etc. Wij hadden veel geluk met het weer en heel veel geluk met het spotten van walvissen. Waarschijnlijk hebben we de eerste 2 walvissen van het seizoen gezien vanaf ons eigen terras. Er is genoeg te doen in de omgeving en wij vonden Pearly Beach erg leuk. Paardrijden hebben we gedaan op de White Water Farm (circa 20 km). Kortom, wij komen zeker nog een keer terug!!
Herman B.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Goed on te horen dat jullie zo genoten hebben. Wat leuk DAT jullie all walvissen gezien hebben. Meestal komen ze pas in juni, inderdaad. Win kijken uit naar jullie volgende bezoek.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Benito T.
14 July 2015
A weekend to remember
Our stay at Whale Huyse was one I will not be forgetting anytime soon. It has everything you need for a fulfilling vacation - definitely enough living space, a fully equipped kitchen as well as magnificient views of the ocean from every room. It is great destination for any type of holiday and needless to say - I will be back!
Benito T.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Thanks for taking the time to write a review and glad to hear that you and your grouop enjoyed your stay. We look forward to welcoming you back at Whale Huys in the future!
Warm Regards,
Bruce Haase
Owner, Whale Huys
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Pieter S.
12 July 2015
Beyond Superb!
I have been privileged to spend 8 nights in this magnificent villa which truly lived up to its name! The views across Walker Bay are absolutely spectacular and I saw many whales and dolphins (often from my bed.) Some mornings I could clearly hear the whales even before it was light enough to see them. I loved every moment of my stay here, which brought me tranquility and food for the soul. I will definitely be back!
Pieter S.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
Dear Pieter,
Thanks for your comments and glad to hear you had such an enjoyable stay. The marine life is, indeed magical. Hope to welcome you back soon.
Warm Regards,
Bruce Haase
Owner, Whale Huys
About the host
Hosted by Bruce Haase (NL) /Leigh (SA)
Dutch-American by birth, I currently live and work betwen South Africa and Amsterdam. Next to my day job as a Sustainable Business Consultant, I have been renting holiday apartments in our historical building in Amsterdam for the past 15 years. (property 54555). Having always travelled a lot for business, I always appreciated staying in places where I immediately felt at home. In furnishing and renting our apartments this is the feeling we hope our guests will have as well. We first visited this Overberg region of South Africa about 12 years ago, and loved the open spaces, pristine nature relaxation.
Why they chose this property
When we first started considering purchasing an ocean front property in the area, Whale Huys was the first property we saw, and we fell in love with it,. Of course the breathtaking ocean views from every room, was the big selling point, but what sold us compared to the other properties in the area was the openness and relaxed design. Unlike typical sterile white beach houses, Whale Huys has a more rustic relaxed feeling with its thatched roof and 8 metre ceiling in the open plan central space.
What makes this property unique
- Direct ocean front property with spectacular unobstructed 180 degree ocean views from every room - Eco-friendly, Solar power w/ battery and grid back-up so never power black-outs., solar water heating, grey water recycling, eco friendly amenities and cleaning products - 4 en-suite bedrooms each with its own ocean-side balcony - Wireless internet & computer corner - Living room with fireplace - Unobstructed ocean views from every room - Infinity Pool - Fully-Equipped Open Kitchen - Pool-side bar and outdoor braai area - Excellent land-based whale watching - Ideally situated for Easy access to the nature and culture of the Overberg, Western Cape - Additional services available at an extra charge include (daily housekeeping, a personal chef, massage therapist, and private horse back riding tours)