Walker Bay Nature conservancy, South Africa
Stay. Play. Reset.

Coot Club is all about hitting the reset button and spending time with family and friends, rising early for a meditative walk, or paddling across the lagoon in tune with the rhythms of nature.
Between the Maanschynkop Nature Reserve mountains and Walker Bay Nature Reserve, the Klein River flows into one of South Africa’s most important estuaries, rich in birdlife and endemic plant diversity. Just two hours from Cape Town, Coot Club is set on 464 hectares of private nature reserve on the south bank of the Klein Rivier Lagoon. The closest village is Stanford, a quaint community where life is simple and gentle.
With a variety of striking, architect-designed accommodation, inspired by the traditional boatsheds on the edge of the Klein Rivier Lagoon, each villa is designed to suit couples, families and multi-generational groups. Weathered tones and textures allow the buildings to blend into the natural landscape. Positioned in the fynbos thickets for ultimate privacy, the views across the mountains and glassy waters are mesmerising. Just on the other side, a 17-kilometre stretch of footprintless sand beckons.
Coot Club offers families and couples the opportunity to rediscover the simple pleasures of play: sailing boats, swimming, SUPing, kayaking, walking in the fynbos, lazy braais with friends, and campfires.
Walker Bay Nature Conservancy, South Africa
Leewards: from R 7 200 per unit per night (2 guests)
Boathouses: from R 8 000 per unit per night (2 guests)
Lawns: from R 19 800 per unit per night (6 guests)
2 hour drive from Cape Town International Airport
465 hectares on a private nature reserve
All ages welcome
A relaxed coastal nature retreat with lagoon-front cottages and nautical-inspired boathouses; enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming on the lagoon, fat-biking and walking trails through fynbos, seasonal whale watching on nearby Walker Bay, birding, 4×4 beach tours and convivial outdoor living.
Located on a lagoon with the sea a short hop over a sand dune belt, this is a special piece of land with a unique sense of place.
Where young and old(er) can enjoy the rhythms of nature and do as little or as much as you want.
The summer months are perfect for water activities and alfresco lunches, while cooler months are great for exploring.
From July to November, Southern Right whales can often be seen from the beach, with Walker Bay serving as an important calving area.
Set along the lagoon’s edge and surrounded by fynbos, the Boathouses enjoy wide views across the water to the mountains beyond. Built in line with local area guidelines, they sit comfortably within the landscape. Guests can choose between two- or three-bedroom Boathouses, making them well suited to families or groups of friends travelling together.
Each Boathouse centres around a generous open-plan living, dining and kitchen area with a fireplace, with bedrooms leading off this shared space. Large fold-away doors open onto a spacious deck, extending the living area outdoors. The deck is ideal for afternoon lounging, sundowners or soaking in the Kolkol wood-fired hot tub while taking in lagoon and mountain views. Steps lead down to a grassed area and into the surrounding fynbos.
Interiors are light and airy, with a contemporary nautical feel. With direct access to the lagoon, mornings can begin with a swim or paddle straight from the house, creating an easy, relaxed waterside stay that encourages time outdoors.
One of the original stone cottages at Coot Club, Lawns is set within the milkwood forest, slightly back from the lagoon’s edge. The cottage looks out over rolling green lawns dotted with mature milkwood trees, offering a quiet, private setting just a short walk from the water.
The house sleeps up to six adults across three bedrooms, with an additional loft space upstairs that can accommodate up to four children, making it particularly well suited to families. At its heart is a double-height living area filled with natural light, with glass doors opening onto a large veranda. An upper deck above the living space offers elevated views across the lawns to the lagoon and mountains beyond.
Outdoor living is a key part of the experience at Lawns. The veranda and garden area include a built-in BBQ, a wood-fired hot tub, a firepit and relaxed seating spaces, ideal for long afternoons and evenings spent outside.
The Leeward Cottages offer a relaxed and private stay at Coot Club, with four one-bedroom units in total - two Leeward Suites and two Leeward Large.
Set among milkwood trees, the Leeward Cottages are well suited to couples or small families looking for a simple, comfortable base close to nature. Each unit opens onto a verandah overlooking fynbos gardens, where birdlife forms part of the daily rhythm. The outdoor space includes a private wood-fired hot tub on the deck, creating an easy setting for time spent outdoors with garden views and a sense of seclusion.
Guests are well placed to explore the wider Coot Club grounds and surrounds, and can enjoy meals at the Clubhouse, where breakfast and dinner are served daily, with menus shaped around fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Bookings can be made by contacting the Coot Club reservations team. Seasonal availability may vary.
Email: res@cootclub.com
Tel: +27 66 507 7461
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm. Based in Stanford.
Stanford is 2 hours drive from Cape Town International. Roads from Cape Town, Hermanus, Caledon are good.
Amenities
Activities (Included)
Additional Activities (Extra Cost)

Coot Club is deeply committed to conserving the environment in which it operates. Every guest stay and conservation levy directly supports the protection of this fragile ecosystem, including the Walker Bay Nature Conservancy. The founders and shareholders share a united vision: to safeguard vulnerable areas of biodiversity while maximising sustainable economic opportunities for the local community.
The Coot Club is a member of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
A conservation levy of R 300 (2026) per guest per night supports key conservation initiatives such as:
In addition, 100% of profits from guided quad bike trips and motorised water-sport activities are dedicated to funding the ongoing alien clearing project.

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