{"product_id":"the-sandbar-brunch","title":"The Sandbar Brunch","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA morning on the water, a harvest table brunch, and time with the cellar master at the boathouse. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce 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 \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/benguelacove.co.za\/pages\/people\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellar Master Johann Fourie\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e at the boathouse. It's whale season in Walker Bay, and the format exists nowhere else in South African wine country. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sunday, 11 October 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTime\u003c\/strong\u003e: 09:00 to approximately 13:00 (about 4 hours)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrice\u003c\/strong\u003e: R1,450 per person, all-inclusive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuests\u003c\/strong\u003e: 20 only, in two groups of 10, each with a winemaker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Lady Bonnie pontoon boat, the sandbar, and the boathouse overlooking the lagoon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason\u003c\/strong\u003e: spring, whale season in Walker Bay \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch4\u003eTwo groups, one morning\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBenguela 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eThe Sandbar Brunch with our Winemakers \u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWhale season on a protected lagoon\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eBenguela Cove's lagoon sits inside the Bot River wetland, a RAMSAR-listed site and one of the reasons the estate holds \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/benguelacove.co.za\/pages\/conservation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWWF Conservation Champion status\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e. 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBooking\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe pontoon crossing depends on the weather. If conditions rule it out on the day, Benguela Cove will let guests know and our \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/benguelacove.co.za\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003ecancellation and refund policy\u003c\/a\u003e applies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSandbar Brunch Event Frequently Asked Questions \u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill I see a whale during the Sandbar Brunch?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat happens if the weather cancels the boat crossing?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/benguelacove.co.za\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ecancellation and refund policy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e applies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to wear?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich group goes to the sandbar first?\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the event capped at 20 guests? \u003c\/strong\u003eLady 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the R1,450 ticket include? \u003c\/strong\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eBook the Sandbar Brunch\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwenty guests, once a year. Book online now, call \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"tel:+27873570637\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e087 357 0637\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, or email \u003ca target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"mailto:info@benguelacove.co.za\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003einfo@benguelacove.co.za\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BCI Events","offers":[{"title":"Per person, all-inclusive","offer_id":55871111364681,"sku":"BCI-EVE-6a732268f575b1f5dd8b9284-6a732492f575b1f5dd8b92a5","price":1450.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/6151\/1241\/files\/Sandbar-Brunch-Eco-tours-Hermanus_ea45cdf2-f728-406b-b548-2df8e9384c19.jpg?v=1785931006","url":"https:\/\/benguelacove.co.za\/products\/the-sandbar-brunch","provider":"Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate","version":"1.0","type":"link"}