Tourist Info

Accommo-
dation

Mine Tour

To do in Town

Nature

Living Museum

Farm Tours

Facilities

What else

The Orange River flows into the sea here, in the far North Western corner of South Africa.

Alexander Bay was put on the map in 1927, when Dr. Hans Merensky the "wizard" geologist of South-Africa, discovered diamonds together with oyster shells on an ancient marine terrace nearby. The discovery changed the course of history in this isolated frontier town, as fortune hunters flocked to the region. The alluvial diamond diggings were soon declared a state mine, a concern which still exists today, as a state owned company called Alexkor Limited.

The destiny of most inhabitants of the region, is somehow linked to the mine and its subsidiary activities. Over the years Alexkor Ltd. has diversified into agro-industry, mariculture and tourism. They run mine tours and allow controlled access to the coast, and play a major role in the development of the ecotourism industry for the region.

The Tourism Information Center for the region is also based in Alexander Bay. Walking and cycling trails link points of interest in and around the town, as Alexander Bay forms a focal point of the "Living Museum" concept, being implemented in the area.

The nearby Orange River mouth, also hosts a wetland of international importance, in turn supporting an immense variety of bird and aquatic species. This area was recently declared a "Ramsar Site".