Walker Bay Nature Reserve honoured with Green Coast Award
CapeNature’s Walker Bay Nature Reserve has once again been recognised for its outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable coastal management, receiving a Green Coast Award from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) for the 2025/26 season.
The announcement was made during the national Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards ceremony held in Port Alfred, co-hosted by WESSA and the Ndlambe Municipality, on 31 October 2025. The annual event celebrates excellence in coastal management, environmental education and nature-based tourism along South Africa’s coastline.
The Green Coast Programme, developed by WESSA, recognises natural, less-developed coastal sites that uphold environmental integrity while promoting responsible tourism and community involvement. Sites are selected based on their commitment to conservation, eco-tourism initiatives, and the protection of coastal biodiversity.
Walker Bay continues to be one of the flagship provincial reserves and the Green Coast Award builds on the recognition Die Plaat Beach received last year after being named on Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious list of Best Beaches in the World. This Green Coast Award reflects the hard work of our staff and partners who conserve one of the Western Cape’s most ecologically diverse stretches of coastline. Recognition like this reinforces CapeNature’s ongoing commitment to conserving our coastal ecosystems while ensuring that local communities benefit from nature-based tourism.
Walker Bay, located between Hermanus and Gansbaai, is also historically significant, with records of Middle Stone Age people (65 000 to 85 000 years ago) living in Klipgat Cave. There is also evidence that Khoi and San people lived in the area about 2 000 years ago.
The reserve is pristine and picturesque with an abundance of coastal and marine life. It is known as one of the best spots in South Africa to do land-based whale watching. Every year, southern right whales gather in the sheltered bay to breed and calve their young.
Its inclusion in the national Green Coast network highlights CapeNature’s ongoing efforts to balance conservation with responsible visitor access and education.
WESSA’s Green Coast network has more than doubled in size this season, showing the growing national commitment to protecting South Africa’s coastal heritage through collaboration between government, conservation agencies, and communities.
As WESSA marks 99 years of “People Caring for the Earth,” CapeNature’s recognition under the Green Coast Programme is both an honour and a call to continue its mission of connecting people with nature in ways that develop stewardship, learning, and shared responsibility for the environment.
Related News
CapeNature bust - R500,000 fine for illegal reptile trafficking in the Western Cape
On Thursday, 12 February 2026, a Spanish citizen Mr David Navarro Roman (41) was convicted in the Vredendal Regional Court for the illegal possession and importation of 22 Armadillo Girdled lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus) and one speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius signatus) from Northern Cape to the Western Cape.
How CapeNature and partners "Reverse the Red"
Reverse the Red is “a global coalition of conservation organisations and species experts working together to accelerate action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss” and every year, 7 February marks Reverse the Red day. The term stems from the effort conservations make to try and reduce the number of species on the IUCN Red List.
CapeNature goes cashless at select nature reserves
In line with its commitment to service excellence, sustainability, and safety, CapeNature is excited to announce the transition to a fully cashless payment system at five of its flagship nature reserves from 2 February 2026. The move will streamline operations, reduce queue times, and enhance the visitor experience while reducing the risks associated with cash handling.
Celebrating the cultural heritage of wetlands on World Wetlands Day 2026
As the world commemorates World Wetlands Day annually on 2 February, CapeNature joins communities across the Western Cape in recognising the deep and enduring relationship between people, culture and wetlands, celebrating under the 2026 theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge… Celebrating Cultural Heritage”.
Cederberg fire recovery and visitor access
After a significant wildfire spread throughout the Cederberg Wilderness Area during the festive period, recovery and reopening efforts are now underway as CapeNature looks forward to welcoming visitors again. CapeNature has begun a comprehensive recovery programme, which will continue over the next six to twelve months.
Curio Shop Summer Essentials with CapeNature
Did you know that some of your most-loved CapeNature reserves have Curio Shops right on site? That’s right - making it easier than ever to take a piece of your journey home with you. From customised souvenirs to practical summer essentials, these shops are filled with locally made treasures crafted by small businesses, including beautiful handmade items.