Dwarskersbos is a settlement in West Coast District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Dwarskersbos
Beach house in Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos Show map of Western Cape Dwarskersbos Show map of South Africa
Coordinates: 32°42′S 18°14′E
Country	South Africa
Province	Western Cape
District	West Coast
Municipality	Bergrivier
Area [1]
• Total	1.53 km2 (0.59 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	670
• Density	440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	29.9%
• Coloured	9.7%
• Indian/Asian	2.7%
• White	57.5%
• Other	0.1%
First languages (2011) [1]
• Afrikaans	94.5%
• English	4.5%
• Other	1.0%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
Area code	022
Website	www.dwarskersbos.com

Fishing village some 11 km north of Laaiplek. Near here the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama first set foot on South African soil on 7 November 1497 when he explored the present St Helena Bay. A 6m high storm surge struck Dwarskersbos on 27 August 1969. The name is said to be derived from Afrikaans; kersbos is a type of plant, Euclea polyandra, or Sarcocaulon species. The beach stretches from Velddrif and Dwarskerbos to Elands Bay, making it the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in South Africa. [2]

References