After what felt like ages driving from Outdshoorn to De Hoop Nature Reserve, we finally made it without breaking down. We passed four broken down cars along the way…

Travelers Tip: As soon as you arrive at the De Hoop reception area, the receptionist will try to sell you on a “stunning” 3.5 km hike. It was neither a hike nor stunning, so do yourself a favor and skip it.

De Hoop is known for its white sand dunes. It’s 16 km farther on tricky dirt roads, but completely worth it. I knew there was a reason I wanted to go to De Hoop. We exited our car, walked a few feet, and were greeted with beautiful, sweeping white sand dunes juxtaposed against a turquoise and dark blue ocean – literally, the ocean’s blue was split like water and oil. De Hoop is hands down the nicest beach I have ever encountered, and the sand was so unbelievably fine that you couldn’t feel it on your body.

Travelers Tip: Bring a picnic and eat it in the shaded areas while absorbing the spectacular views.

If you’re continuing along the Garden Route, you should take a photo at the obligatory pit-stop – Cape L’Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.