FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

If you have a motorised vessel of any kind it is imperative that you take out a permit with KRAB in order to be on boarded with all the safety regulations and dangers of the Klein River.

Do I need a permit for my Kayak/ canoe/inflatable?

No paddlers and non-motor driven vessels do not need permits to access the river but are still governed by the same rules for safety, i.e: to keep right and no trespassing on private property. PADDLERS are responsible for their own life-saving devices. See SAMSA non-powered driven safety regulations Here.

Can I stop and picnic on the river bank?

The bank along King Street and in the Du Toit Street slipway area within Stanford itself are available for public use however the river is bordered by private property/farms/small holdings with a strict no trespassing policy.

Can I fish in the river?

As long as you have the required paperwork/permits for fishing as per Cape Nature (insert link here) fishing is allowed.

Can I get an annual permit?

Owners/residents of Stanford qualify for year permit automatically, visitors without property are subject to accumulate 3X temporary/day permits without any complaint or blemish against them to qualify for your permit application.

Can I travel from the lagoon into the river or vice versa with my boat?

Unfortunately NOT. The Klein River is governed by the Du Toit Street slipway access and the lagoon is governed by Maanchyn Bay slipway Access. Where are the two meet there is a protected wetland area that is both too shallow for navigation and a bird breeding habitat. Access is limited without proper permits.

The Klein River officially stretches from tesselaarsdal around the Klein River mountains and mouths out on grotto Beach depending on a seasonal rainfall and breaching. From STANFORD’s banks to the lowest point of the river is plus/minus 7 km of navigable river to enjoy with the middle channel varying from 3 to 4 m on average in depth.

Is the river safe to swim in?

The Klein River is one of the cleanest and most well protected rivers in all of South Africa. Salinity and E. coli testing is done every two weeks by Cape Nature and any reports in Spikes would be notified to Overstrand Municipality and users.

How long / deep is the river?

The river is not your typical public swimming pool, there are fish, turtles, crabs, snakes, otters , even seals and the occasional cow seen in the river from time to time. You’re in Nature, act accordingly.

Are there dangerous animals in the river?

If it did not come from there it does not belong there! There are waste bins placed along the banks in Stanford and you should always consider taking what you brought in, out with you. KRAB works very hard to keep the Klein River pristine and unspoiled.

Can I throw boidegradable / natural items eg. fruit peels/storks/scraps into the river?

Does everyone need a permit to use the river?