The great explorer Vasco da Gama anchored in this bay and named it Santa Elena after the mother of Constantine the Great. On 8 November 1497 the went ashore and found water and provisions. A number of years after the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck free burghers were sent to St Helena Bay to look into the potential of the bay with the abundance of fish found here. Many years later the first fish canning factory was founded. Over time other factories were founded, each with its own wharf, and now there are 8 fish processing factories and 4 crayfish factories along the bay.
The mainstay of St Helena Bay is the fishing industry. More than 50% of South Africa’s fish production and processing are done in St Helena Bay factories. St Helena Bay Fishing, which produces Lucky Star products, is the largest in the southern hemisphere. The various factories in the bay produce tinned fish products like pilchards in tomato puree, processing of hake, fish-meal and export of live crayfish. Other industries like engineering works, shipping maintenance, fish-net repairs, complete shipbuilding industry and more can be found on the wharf.
Some interesting facts about the St Helena Bay:
- It is the largest bay in Africa
- It is one of only three bays in the world where the sun rises and sets over the same bay nothing rusts here
- The sea is usually very calm and because the bay is relatively shallow, there are no large waves.
- St Helena Bay Fishing, which produces Lucky Star products, is the largest in the southern hemisphere.
The St Helena Bay area enjoys moderate temperatures, with less wind and rain than in the Cape and more sunny days which are ideal for relaxation. There are a hotel, several self-catering units and caravan parks available to suit all preferences.
Bordering Stompneusbaai are large luxurious private resorts such as Shelley Point, Britannia Bay, Cape St Martin – with round granite boulders, white beaches and palm trees! Paradise on the West Coast.
TMT Charters are operating from the Port Owen Marina, Veldrif that is situated in the Bergriver and mouth into the St Helena Bay.
Port Owen Yacht Club Website info on Sailing Conditions :
St. Helena Bay offers some of the best boating waters along the South African coastline. It is also the biggest bay along our coast with a number of safe anchorages within the Bay and just beyond.
In summer there is generally no swell within the Bay and the mornings are generally calm and ideal for a leisurely sail or to quietly put a fishing line over the side. Typically of the West Coast by late morning the south easterly wind will come through and increase in speed to about 25 knots by mid afternoon and abating at night.
Safe anchorages can be found as follows;
South Easterly Wind
- Paternoster
- Britannia Bay
- Stompneus Bay
- Sandy Point Harbour
- Slipper Bay
- Elands Bay
- Stompneus Bay
- Sandy Point Harbour
A typical days boating will include a stopover at Sandy Point Harbour for a calamari and chips lunch and then a reach back to Port Owen. A round trip of about 9 nm.
During the months of June through to November whale sightings are common and nearly guaranteed. The Bay is also frequented by three species of dolphin who make regular appearances.
In winter the north westerly gales cause large swells to enter the bay and it is not advisable to exit or enter the harbour in north westerly winds of over 30 knots. The winter months do however offer some of the best sailing conditions with gentle westerly winds being most predominant.
The Bay is for the most part obstruction free except for Doctors Reef and at the Soverby area. Both are clearly marked on the nautical charts and must be avoided.
The whole area being of a slightly hotter climate than coastal areas to the south.
