A stroll along the shoreline
The sandy beach at the lagoon mouth no longer boasts private bathing boxes, as were erected on Onrus River beach in 1937. The Local Area Board charged a site rental of 5/- per year. The last one on the beach was demolished in 1962.
A walk along the shore from the furthest end of the beach, back to Onrust in the direction of Vermont will take you past a number of interesting coastal markers..
Ash's Cove
Ash’s Cove is situated at the Sandbaai end of the Onrus Beach. This tidal pool was regularly used by the Ash couple, who reputedly enjoyed swimming in the nude. At the time children were warned not to go near the pool when the Ashes were there.
Maidens' Pool
Also situated at the Sandbaai end of Onrus Beach, this secluded spot was popular at a time when young ladies preferred to bathe in private.
Onrus River Lagoon
The Onrus River, which rises in the Babylon's Tower Mountain, is little more than 10 km long and flows into the Onrus River Lagoon. The lagoon is one of the major amenities in the village. The shallow water provides an ideal bathing spot for young children. During the summer months the lagoon tends to recede and stagnate, but is regularly flushed clean at spring tide or when the first winter flood arrives. When the lagoon mouth is cleared, the river flows into the ocean, temporarily making access to the beach without getting your feet wet somewhat difficult.
The steady growth of reeds in the lagoon is a matter of concern for the inhabitants of Onrus River. Clearing the lagoon is a difficult and expensive operation, involving extensive dredging. The Onrus Lagoon Trust was established to co-ordinate efforts in this regard, but the reeds present an ongoing problem. A nature reserve has been developed on the opposite bank of the lagoon and offers a pleasant walk along the lagoon shore, with panoramic views of the Onrus beach and coastline.
Haarderbaai
The bay borders on Atlantic Drive, the Onrus Camping Grounds and Vermont. As the name suggests, haarders were in abundance in the early days of the resort.. In her book. “The History of Onrus River” Eugenie Olën writes: 'A Mr. Piet Radyn in the 1940’s pulled out a tremendous amount of Haarders with his nets. His boats were often seen lying on their faces on the pebbles after a haul. In two days time, once, he hauled over five thousand Haarders, which he sold to the hotels in Hermanus.' The bay offers a ramp for launching boats and is a popular fishing spot. If you prefer bird-watching, a variety of coastal species can be sighted here.
Malherbe's rock
This concrete block might seem insignificant to the uninitiated, but it represents a favourite fishing spot. It is situated below Atlantic Drive at the entrance of Haarderbaai and was named after Flip Malherbe, who constructed it during 1960.
Oupa's Rock
This very large rock in Haarderbaai in line with Onrus River Park can be reached at low tide. In the early 1900’s Pieter Hendrik van Blommestein – after whom a street was also named – used to fish here while the tide was coming in..
Davies's
The pool was cleared of rocks and constructed by J.J. Davies, a chemist from Caledon, and friends in the early 1900s. The pool is accessible from the footpath running pastOnrus River Park and from the Vermont end.
Andries Bokkoms's chair
This stone is situated at Davies’s Pool. It was erected by Andries Geldenhuys, who became known as Andries Bokkom. He would lean back comfortably against the stone, while fishing during the incoming tide.
Onrus River Park
This camping site is uniquely situated right on the coast, stretching from Haarderbaai to Vermont. The camping sites are wonderfully protected from the sea breezes by the milkwood trees and dense bushes. The well-kept grounds and facilities ensure its popularity amongs campers, some of whom are annual regulars.
The camping grounds did not originally form part of the township of Onrust River, but they were included in the deal when the ratepayers purchased Onrust in 1946. Permanent cubicles and ablution facilities were completed in 1955.