A morning on the water, a harvest table brunch, and time with the cellar master at the boathouse. 

Once a year, Benguela Cove runs a morning built entirely around the lagoon. On Sunday, 11 October 2026, two rotating groups of ten guests cross to the sandbar by boat, meet for a harvest table brunch, and spend time with Cellar Master Johann Fourie at the boathouse. It's whale season in Walker Bay, and the format exists nowhere else in South African wine country. 

At a glance

• Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026
• Time: 09:00 to approximately 13:00 (about 4 hours)
• Price: R1,450 per person, all-inclusive
• Guests: 20 only, in two groups of 10, each with a winemaker
• Location: Lady Bonnie pontoon boat, the sandbar, and the boathouse overlooking the lagoon
• Season: spring, whale season in Walker Bay 

Two groups, one morning

Benguela Cove splits the morning into two mirrored halves. At 09:00, Group A boards the Lady Bonnie pontoon boat with a winemaker for the crossing to the sandbar, the strip of land that separates the lagoon from the open water of Walker Bay. Group B spends that hour with the cellar master at the boathouse, overlooking the lagoon. 

At 10:00, both groups meet at the harvest table for a brunch hosted by two winemakers. At noon, the groups swap: Group B crosses to the sandbar while Group A moves to the boathouse. Everyone is back on dry land by around 13:00. 

The Sandbar Brunch with our Winemakers 

At the centre of the morning is a shared brunch, served family style rather than plated. Two winemakers host the table, so conversation moves between wine, harvest and whatever the sandbar crossing brought up. It's the one point in the morning when all 20 guests sit down together.

Whale season on a protected lagoon

Benguela Cove's lagoon sits inside the Bot River wetland, a RAMSAR-listed site and one of the reasons the estate holds WWF Conservation Champion status. Spring brings southern right whales into Walker Bay, and the crossing to the sandbar puts guests closer to that stretch of water than almost any other estate experience. Sightings are common at this time of year but never guaranteed, so book for the boat trip and the setting first, and treat a whale as the bonus it is. 

Booking

The Sandbar Brunch runs once a year, for 20 guests only, so seats go quickly. Wine club members get first access before the event opens to general booking. The R1,450 per person price covers the boat crossing, the brunch and time at the boathouse. 

The pontoon crossing depends on the weather. If conditions rule it out on the day, Benguela Cove will let guests know and our cancellation and refund policy applies.

Sandbar Brunch Event Frequently Asked Questions 

Will I see a whale during the Sandbar Brunch? Southern right whales are active in Walker Bay through October, and the sandbar crossing puts you closer to open water than most estate experiences. Sightings are common at this time of year but never guaranteed. 

What happens if the weather cancels the boat crossing? The pontoon crossing depends on sea and weather conditions on the day. If Benguela Cove has to cancel a crossing, guests are notified as early as possible and the estate's published cancellation and refund policy applies.

What to wear? Smart casual. It can get nippy on the water, so bring a jacket, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes - especially if you would like to walk on the beach. Remember, this is a picture-perfect setting.

Which group goes to the sandbar first? Bookings are assigned to Group A or Group B. Group A crosses to the sandbar at 09:00 and joins the cellar master at noon. Group B does the reverse. Both groups meet for the harvest table brunch at 10:00. 

Why is the event capped at 20 guests? Lady Bonnie, the pontoon boat used for the crossing, carries up to 12 passengers. Splitting guests into two groups of 10, each with a winemaker, keeps every crossing within that limit. This is a unique sustainable tourism experience; created to help the conservation of this precious area. 

What does the R1,450 ticket include? The price covers the boat crossing to the sandbar, the harvest table brunch and time with Cellar Master Johann Fourie at the boathouse. It's priced per person, all-inclusive. 

Book the Sandbar Brunch

Twenty guests, once a year. Book online now, call 087 357 0637, or email info@benguelacove.co.za.