RoadAtlas
Clarence Drive — South Africa — Scenic
Africa

Clarence Drive

South Africa

Point-to-point
Gordon's Bay Hermanus

In short: Clarence Drive is a 96 km scenic road trip in South Africa, typically driven over 1–2 days, best in Sep–Nov / year-round. Highlights: Gordon's Bay, Rooi-Els, Stoney Point Penguin Colony.

Distance
96 km
Duration
1–2 days
Best Season
Sep–Nov / year-round
IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

The R44 (Clarence Drive) from Gordon's Bay to Kleinmond, continuing on the R43 to Hermanus, hugs the Kogelberg coastline, mountain cliffs plunging to turquoise sea, fynbos slopes, penguin colonies, and the world's finest shore-based whale watching.

Practical notes
The R44 is paved and easy in normal conditions, but it runs close to exposed cliffs and can feel slick in wind, fog, or winter rain. Summer weekends bring heavy traffic around Betty’s Bay and Hermanus, so start early and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and slow-moving sightseeing cars. This stretch also has a history of storm-triggered rockfalls and mudslides that can close it outright or force hours of stop-and-go traffic control, so check current road status before departure; the fallback to Hermanus is the Sir Lowry’s Pass / N2 detour via Botrivier. Chacma baboon troops frequent the roadside between Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay, and Betty’s Bay: keep windows up and food out of sight, and never feed or approach them.

Make this route yours

Set your dates, pace, and taste, and RoadAtlas AI rebuilds this trip day by day with real, verified places.

Included with Traveler and Explorer plans.

Explore on the interactive map →

Plan this trip

Self-guided audio toursExplore local stories near city stops Hotels for this tripCompare stays before you go Flights for this tripCompare flight options before you go Car rental for this tripCompare rental options before you drive

Third-party planning links may be affiliate links. RoadAtlas stays independent, and you should verify details with the provider.

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Clarence Drive corridor to Hermanus

Clarence Drive marked scenic lay-bys · Stony Point Penguin Colony · KabelJoe's Seafood Restaurant

Stops along the route

Gordon's Bay — Departure — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Departure
Gordon's Bay
A pretty harbour at the foot of the Hottentots Holland mountains. The drive begins at the edge of False Bay.
Hotels
Rooi-Els — City — Clarence Drive — South Africa
City
Rooi-Els
Tiny hamlet where the R44 begins its most dramatic cliff-hugging stretch above the pounding surf of False Bay.
Hotels
Kleinmond — City — Clarence Drive — South Africa
City
Kleinmond
Quiet lagoon town where the Bot River meets the sea. Flamingos feed in the estuary beside the beach.
Hotels
Hermanus — Arrival — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Arrival
Hermanus
The world capital of land-based whale watching. Southern right whales breach in Walker Bay from June to December.
Hotels

Things to Do

Stoney Point Penguin Colony — Nature — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Nature
Stoney Point Penguin Colony
African penguins nesting among boulders beside the road. One of only two mainland breeding colonies in existence.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden — Nature — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Nature
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
Fynbos-clad slopes running from mountain to sea. Over 1,600 plant species grow within this compact coastal garden.
Clarence Drive Scenic Lay-bys — Scenic Drive — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Scenic Drive
Clarence Drive Scenic Lay-bys
Use only marked pull-outs for False Bay and Kogelberg views; exposed shoulders and blind bends make informal roadside stopping unsafe.
Stony Point Penguin Colony — Wildlife — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Wildlife
Stony Point Penguin Colony
Walk the boardwalk through one of the mainland breeding colonies of endangered African penguins in Betty's Bay.
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden — Botanical Garden — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Botanical Garden
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
Allow 60–90 minutes for fynbos, mountain streams, and the lower garden trails before continuing along the coast.
Hermanus Cliff Path Whale Watching — Whale Watching — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Whale Watching
Hermanus Cliff Path Whale Watching
Walk the free cliff-top path above Walker Bay; southern right whales are seasonal, normally June to December and strongest September to November.

Where to Eat

KabelJoe's Seafood Restaurant — Seafood — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Seafood
KabelJoe's Seafood Restaurant
Fresh seafood with harbour views in Kleinmond, a good lunch stop near the midpoint of the drive.
Bistro Three Six Five — Contemporary — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Contemporary
Bistro Three Six Five
Savor modern dishes in a cozy setting in Pringle Bay.
Bientang's Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar — Seafood — Clarence Drive — South Africa
Seafood
Bientang's Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar
Dine inside a historic cave with stunning views of Walker Bay.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Clarence Drive drive?

The Clarence Drive covers 96 km from start to finish.

How long does the Clarence Drive take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1–2 days on the Clarence Drive, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Clarence Drive?

The recommended season for the Clarence Drive is Sep–Nov / year-round.

Where does the Clarence Drive start and end?

The Clarence Drive runs from Gordon's Bay to Hermanus.

What are the main stops on the Clarence Drive?

The Clarence Drive passes through Gordon's Bay, Rooi-Els, Stoney Point Penguin Colony.

How difficult is the Clarence Drive to drive?

The Clarence Drive is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Clarence Drive in a regular car?

Yes — the Clarence Drive is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Clarence Drive EV friendly?

Yes — the Clarence Drive has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Clarence Drive safe to drive?

The R44 is paved and easy in normal conditions, but it runs close to exposed cliffs and can feel slick in wind, fog, or winter rain. Summer weekends bring heavy traffic around Betty’s Bay and Hermanus, so start early and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and slow-moving sightseeing cars. This stretch also has a history of storm-triggered rockfalls and mudslides that can close it outright or force hours of stop-and-go traffic control, so check current road status before departure; the fallback to Hermanus is the Sir Lowry’s Pass / N2 detour via Botrivier. Chacma baboon troops frequent the roadside between Rooi-Els, Pringle Bay, and Betty’s Bay: keep windows up and food out of sight, and never feed or approach them.

What scenic tier is the Clarence Drive?

The Clarence Drive is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.