The Breede River, the Malgas Dutch Reformed Church and the Sijnn Wines Malgas Tasting Room represent three different sides of Malgas: activities on the water, a historic place of worship and a wine tasting. Together, these themes offer different ways to tailor a stay to your own interests.
Water Sports and Fishing on the Breede River
The Breede River near Malgas offers a range of water sports and is considered a fishing area. Activities on the river include boating, water skiing, tubing, swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing. Boating and kayaking involve travelling on the water; water skiing, tubing and windsurfing add other water sports to the choice. Swimming and fishing appeal to different interests. River conditions and regulations may vary, so check the conditions for your chosen activity in advance.
The Church and Local History
The Malgas Dutch Reformed Church was built in 1856 and is designated a National Heritage Site. Regular services are held at the church; check the current arrangements before visiting. The year of construction indicates when it was built, while the heritage designation gives it a distinct cultural status. The services also point to its continued religious use. The church thus brings together architectural history, cultural heritage and an ongoing religious connection.
Malgas also has a history of serving as a transport hub. Before modern roads were developed, the town served as an inland port for steamboats in the 20th century, transporting supplies from Cape Town to Swellendam. The route from Cape Town to Swellendam gives a concrete example of the movement of goods. The town’s former role as a port adds another historical perspective to the church’s architectural history: alongside a religious building, there was the town’s former function in transporting goods. An inland port is inland, not on the coast.
Wine Tasting in Malgas
Visitors are welcomed to the Sijnn Wines Malgas Tasting Room for a curated tasting of limited-release wines. This makes wine another reason to visit Malgas, alongside river activities and cultural heritage. If you would like to include a tasting in your stay, confirm the arrangements for your visit in advance.
Plan Your Ferry Trip and Accommodation Search
On 2 April 2026, the Malgas Pont Ferry was fully operational and open to the public. This ferry status applies to a specific date. If you are planning a crossing, check the current timetable before travelling.
When choosing a hotel in Malgas, consider your priorities alongside the related planning questions. River conditions and regulations may vary; confirm the arrangements for a tasting, and check the timetable if you are planning a crossing.
Discover more destinations: Oudtshoorn, Witsand, Plettenberg Bay, George, Groot Brakrivier, Tergniet, Plathuis, Jongensfontein
For the broader travel overview: Eden.
