Strand, South Africa: Final Thoughts, Helpful Tips & Our Honest Rating

As our time at the Strand, Western Cape, South Africa comes to a close, we would like to share a few reflections, recommendations, and practical tips for fellow travelers — along with our final rating of the experience for anyone planning a visit. This seaside town was our very first stop in South Africa, and our initial impression was pure awe. The beauty of the water, the cleanliness of the beachfront, and the welcoming atmosphere made the Strand an inviting place to begin our journey.

Getting Around

The Strand is very walkable, with even sidewalks that make it easy to navigate — even for those with mobility challenges or wheelchairs. Because the area sits directly on the water, traffic can be heavy, and you will notice a few homeless individuals and smokers along the way. Still, the beachfront remains safe and enjoyable to explore on foot.

Public transportation is limited, so you’ll rely on walking, biking, or using Uber, taxis, or buses. Roads can be narrow and congested, which makes larger transport options like trams or trolleys impractical. We mainly walked along the Strand and called an Uber when heading farther out, such as to the Somerset Mall.

Dining & Safety

There are some fantastic restaurants worth trying — Prime Wagyu, the Belgium Waffle House, and Ekhaya Coffee Roasters were our favorites. That said, the variety of local cuisine is somewhat limited. More options are available off the Strand, but locals advised us not to venture too far due to safety concerns. In fact, on our second day, a bank employee strongly recommended that we stick to the Strand or the Somerset Mall. Based on that, we suggest dining and staying close to the beachfront.

Shopping Essentials

For groceries, a grocery store called Checkers Foods is located within walking distance of the Strand Pavilion Resort, on Beach Road. It stocks U.S. brand-name items, prepared meals, wine, produce, and flowers. Upstairs, you’ll also find a barber, restaurant, and clinic. Although locals assured us the water was safe, we opted for bottled water as a precaution.

For general shopping, Friedman & Cohen is the standout. This two-story retail store offers a wide range of products, and with the favorable exchange rate, items are pretty affordable. For instance, 100 rand equates to $5.65 US dollars, which allowed me to buy a pair of fur-lined boots, slippers, a robe, and sunglasses for only $65 US dollars. When we needed more variety, we took an Uber to Somerset Mall, which has a larger selection. Tip: if you’re visiting in May, pack a light jacket — the afternoons may be mild, but evenings get chilly.

Health & Medical Care

We both came down with the flu during our stay, but were pleasantly surprised by how easily and affordably healthcare was available. At a nearby clinic, Essential Health Pharmacy, the visit cost only $35 to see a doctor without insurance, and medications like Theraflu and malaria tablets were inexpensive, even though I had Worldwide Medical insurance. The doctor spoke English fluently, so communication was smooth and seamless. In South Africa, you’ll hear many languages — Afrikaans, Shona, Zulu — but English is widely and comfortably spoken.

People & Culture

One of the highlights of our time at the Strand was meeting locals and fellow travelers. People were open, kind, and eager to chat — often guessing where we were from just by our accents. Although we didn’t stay long enough to build deeper friendships, the conversations were meaningful and provided us with a glimpse into the culture and customs of the area.

Nature & Surroundings

Wildlife was limited during our stay — we spotted a few dogs, seagulls, and geese, but not much else. Winter may have kept many insects at bay, aside from one giant roach sighting. A more charming sight, however, was watching fishermen haul in their fresh catch of fish right along the shore. They even had a spot by the water, where fishermen cleaned and sold their daily seafood catches.

Accommodation

We stayed at the Strand Pavilion Resort on timeshare points. The manager kindly upgraded us for our second week, and we enjoyed a spacious unit with a kitchen, living room, three bedrooms, two baths, and a balcony overlooking the water. The main drawback is the lack of on-site laundry facilities. Guests must walk a few blocks to drop off clothes for cleaning — a minor inconvenience for us as seniors, so we waited for our next stop to do laundry.

Final Thoughts

All in all, our experience at the Strand was enjoyable but mixed. If we had to give it a rating, it would be a ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars). Still, it was a memorable introduction to South Africa, and we are grateful for the conversations, the views, and the lessons learned.

Have you visited the Strand? What would you rate it? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line at info@idtravelers.com.

Up next, we’ll be sharing a very different — and truly amazing — experience at the Cellars-Hohenort, a 5-star hotel with its own unique story and a fascinating “missing link.” Stay tuned!