Hole in the Wall
Hole in the Wall
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
274 reviews
Excellent
167
Very good
72
Average
22
Poor
7
Terrible
6
nordlysMH
Stromstad, Sweden184 contributions
Oct 2019
If you already drove all the way to Coffee Bay on that awful road have a look at Hole in the Wall. Do not get impressed by the youngsters gesticulating in the middle of the road a short bit from the skimpy parking lot where you can in fact leave your car unguarded. They want to guide you down the gentle hill and/ or guard your car for a shameful sum of money, which I would never pay for such a "service" (yes, the word is rather stretched considering what you get for your money).
The Hole in the Wall can already be seen from the top of the hill and it is truly not particularly challenging to walk down the field on the slope and hit the spots where you can view the hole from nearby just across a little stretch of water. You will see waves crushing through the hole a few hundred yards away. Some interesting gnarled trees grow along the shoreline. The place is littered, probably used by tourists you cannot be bothered to clean up after a picnic..The ocean scenery all around is not bad, but nothing exceptional if you are familiar with wild coasts.
The Hole in the Wall can already be seen from the top of the hill and it is truly not particularly challenging to walk down the field on the slope and hit the spots where you can view the hole from nearby just across a little stretch of water. You will see waves crushing through the hole a few hundred yards away. Some interesting gnarled trees grow along the shoreline. The place is littered, probably used by tourists you cannot be bothered to clean up after a picnic..The ocean scenery all around is not bad, but nothing exceptional if you are familiar with wild coasts.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicky Lombard
Pretoria, South Africa195 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Stop dreaming about your bucket list and start living it. Without a doubt one of our natural beauties that must be visited.
Do not allow guides to walk with you they will overcharge you for a non guided hike.
Do not allow guides to walk with you they will overcharge you for a non guided hike.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wendywZ9019CD
Cape Town Central, South Africa21 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We were very apprehensive about visiting after reading the many bad experiences. We went on 2 Jan which meant there were many other visitors. The polo vivo managed very well despite it raining on and off that day. We first parked at a spot just before the Hole in the Wall and were bombarded by guys wanting to watch the car. But then we drove further on to where you can see the Hole in the Wall and there was no one offering to guard the car or guide us down. The river mouth is great for a dip :)
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike F
Hilton, South Africa188 contributions
Sep 2019
We are lucky enough to have friends who have a cottage at Hole in The Wall (HITW to us) and we visit every year or two.
HITW is rustic. Don’t expect Manhattan type style and luxury. This is for those who want to relax in rustic, natural beauty.
You can buy crayfish, mussels and oysters from the locals who harvest these gifts from the sea. Please remember to have your own fishing licenses which should include crayfish, mussel and oyster licenses.
There is safe swimming on the land side of the hole. Strong swimmers do swim through the hole but I would not recommend it at all.
A downside is that local youths want to “escort” you down the hill to the hole. You really don’t need an escort. They can be persistent and even aggressive at times.
You can have a drink at the Hole in The Wall hotel. Driving along the road to Coffee Bay you can stop off at a White Clay which is a resort/pub and get a good lunch. At Coffee Bay itself are a couple of hotels. The Ocean View is by far the best and once again very scenic and a good table for lunch.
HITW is rustic. Don’t expect Manhattan type style and luxury. This is for those who want to relax in rustic, natural beauty.
You can buy crayfish, mussels and oysters from the locals who harvest these gifts from the sea. Please remember to have your own fishing licenses which should include crayfish, mussel and oyster licenses.
There is safe swimming on the land side of the hole. Strong swimmers do swim through the hole but I would not recommend it at all.
A downside is that local youths want to “escort” you down the hill to the hole. You really don’t need an escort. They can be persistent and even aggressive at times.
You can have a drink at the Hole in The Wall hotel. Driving along the road to Coffee Bay you can stop off at a White Clay which is a resort/pub and get a good lunch. At Coffee Bay itself are a couple of hotels. The Ocean View is by far the best and once again very scenic and a good table for lunch.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darlene C
Bronx, NY1 contribution
Nov 2019
South Africa Cape town is beautiful!!! South Africa was an experience I will never forget. My Congregation and I traveled London, Cape and Johannesburg and Pilanesberg South Africa our ministry. I realized that I had not traveled in many years. When My congregation said the next international trip was South Africa I said yipeee!! The site seeing was spectacular. Far from it the way people would explain it through the years due to hear say. You have to visit to understand what I am talking about Cape town and other parts of Africa is breathtaking. The animals seeing them free willed in their own habitat I was in awe! No zoo no cages Giraffes and Zebras my most favorite. Elephants took care of their own. What was amazing was when the elephants and their family drank water together at the nearest pool, the giraffes would wait their turn lots of respect with each other giraffes as well. The following year I enjoy the trip to Namibia South Africa another place you need to visit awesome!!!
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bronwynn
Roodepoort, South Africa10 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Beautiful scenery. Hole in the wall is a wonder to see in person. Kids went hiking up the hill, we all went exploring the rocky areas on the beach, lagoon shallow enough for small kids. People can bring umbrellas and camp for the day.
Problem is walking down is quite tricky and coming back up is a steep climb, but not too difficult. If you have health problems- not a good idea. Car guards are also a nuisance.
Problem is walking down is quite tricky and coming back up is a steep climb, but not too difficult. If you have health problems- not a good idea. Car guards are also a nuisance.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YoWi
Pretoria, South Africa54 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Hole in the wall was amazing to see. We took the short hike from the hotel (unguided, as the route was busy during December). I think it was less than a kilometer we walked. The rock was a bit of a surprise, as it is huge! Not many people take photos from afar, so all the close ups makes it look much smaller than what it is.
Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Transkei area.
Note: on the 26th of December and the 1st of January the locals have "boot braais", where they park their cars and then party. You want to stay clear of the popular beaches and parking areas on those two days!
Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Transkei area.
Note: on the 26th of December and the 1st of January the locals have "boot braais", where they park their cars and then party. You want to stay clear of the popular beaches and parking areas on those two days!
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoralB999
Johannesburg, South Africa48 contributions
Oct 2020
This is the wild coast so cliffs are staggering and the sea is wild and unpredictable. Cattle, donkeys and goats wonder across the pristine beach. If you're fit there are fantastic walks, most of which are straight up and down high cliffs.
The road is tarred all the way, we went via Coffee Bay on recommendation. The last 30km are badly pot holed but there were repair crews busy.
Despite all the reviews mentioning the "guides" we didn't find this a problem at all. A simple no thanks was sufficient. We did buy crayfish and mussels from the locals on one occasion but found they were undersized and removed without sustainability in mind so we didn't buy again. The locals are not hostile but not friendly and as a woman I would not have felt safe on the beach or the walks on my own.
Honestly, there is nothing to do in the area if you're not into hiking or fishing so expect to relax, look at the scenery and be at peace
The road is tarred all the way, we went via Coffee Bay on recommendation. The last 30km are badly pot holed but there were repair crews busy.
Despite all the reviews mentioning the "guides" we didn't find this a problem at all. A simple no thanks was sufficient. We did buy crayfish and mussels from the locals on one occasion but found they were undersized and removed without sustainability in mind so we didn't buy again. The locals are not hostile but not friendly and as a woman I would not have felt safe on the beach or the walks on my own.
Honestly, there is nothing to do in the area if you're not into hiking or fishing so expect to relax, look at the scenery and be at peace
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curious Cat
50 contributions
Jul 2021
We got up while it was still dark to be at the hole in the wall at sunrise. It was spectacular. The way a camera compresses makes this look small but it is huge and its not only this formation but others that make you feel like you have drifted to another country. Magical
Written May 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boydb253
Kelowna, Canada11 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Nice place but two of our party got burnt soup and my octopus was soft. The fish stew was good.they replaced the burned veggie soup with a fresh one totally different I don’t know why they would have sent the first bowls??
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Off to Hole in the Wall in two weeks, how is the road? Should i only use an SUV or can i use a sedan or hatch?
Written November 5, 2021
You can use a normal sedan. Just watch the speed humps and potholes.
Written November 7, 2021
Carol L
Watertown, Wisconsin
How do I find more about the Hole-In-The-Wall hike?
Written October 14, 2016
You can go look at Coffee Shack website. It is a backpackers lodge, they do regular hikes to Hole in the Wall from Coffee Bay. We did the hike last year. It is 9 KM fro Coffee Bay and the sites you see while you hike is amazing with the coastline right next to you all the time.
Written January 5, 2017
Good day,
Please can someone send me detail road map from Johannesburg to The Hole in the wall village. Your assistance is highly appreciated.
Regards
Ben
Written June 29, 2015
Google maps or any GPS has it ... easily found on device.
Written January 18, 2018
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