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The Goukou River from the farm jetty: a boat moored alongside, blue water and wooded hills.

On the farm

Paddling and boating on the Goukou

What can you do on the Goukou River?

From the farm's private slipway and floating jetty you can swim, take out one of the farm's two kayaks, water-ski, join a river cruise or hire the speed boat with a skipper. The Goukou is tidal and navigable for about 15 km inland, down to the estuary and the sea at Stilbaai.

  • The farm jetty on the Goukou River with a speedboat tied up and reeds on the bank.
  • Heading upriver by boat into the wooded gorge of the Goukou.
  • The Goukou at dusk, the still water reflecting the reeds and the pink sky.
  • The Goukou at sunset, still as glass and mirroring the wooded hills.
  • The lawn and reed beds on the Goukou river bank, a canoe pulled up on the grass.
  • A small boat moored in the reeds at the edge of the Goukou River.
  • Dusk on the Goukou upriver, a wooded hill reflected in the water.

From the jetty

Stonehouse has 400 m of river frontage, its own slipway and a floating jetty. Guests swim off the jetty, paddle upstream at first light and bring boats for skiing. The river is deep enough here to ski at high and low tide.

A river cruise with drinks on board at sunset is the thing people remember. Two kayaks are kept at the farm for guests.

Boat hire with a skipper

The family can take you out on the river: hire the speed boat with a skipper for cruising and skiing, or a smaller boat for river fishing at about 30% less than the speed boat. Prices on request; ask Alison when you book.

Most of the Goukou estuary is a no-take zone in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area, so river fishing is only allowed in the permitted zones with a DFFE permit. Check the MPA zones before you fish; we'll show you where.

Upriver and down

Upstream from the farm the Goukou narrows into a wooded gorge, with steep slopes of indigenous bush on both sides and still water in the evening. Downstream it widens through reed beds and salt marsh to the estuary, which divides Stilbaai into West and East and stays open to the sea all year.

It was on a boat trip up this river in 2003 that Alison first saw the farm from the water. With a boat you can make the same trip in reverse, down to town and back.

Rules on the river

The Goukou estuary is part of the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area. Jet-skis are banned throughout, and most of the estuary is a no-take zone for fishing. Paddling, swimming and boating are welcome. Public slipways are on both banks about 2 km upstream from the mouth if you want to launch in town.

In town

Stilbaai Adventures hires SUPs and kayaks from its store behind the OK centre and runs guided sea-kayak trips from the harbour for groups. Their river stall at Lapskuit opens over December and early January. Hired craft stay in the estuary.

Safety

Children should wear life jackets on the water and be supervised at the jetty. The river is tidal, so check the tide times before a long paddle.

Good to know

Questions

Can we bring a boat to Stonehouse Lodge?

Yes. There is a private slipway and floating jetty on the Goukou. Jet-skis are not allowed anywhere in the Stilbaai Marine Protected Area.

Can you water-ski on the Goukou?

Yes. The river in front of the farm is deep enough to ski at high and low tide.

Is the Goukou River safe for swimming?

Guests swim off the farm jetty and in the dam. Children should be supervised in and near the water.

Can we hire a boat at Stonehouse?

Yes. The speed boat can be hired with a skipper, and a smaller boat for river fishing costs about 30% less. Prices on request.

Are kayaks supplied?

Yes. There are two kayaks at the farm for guests.

How far is the Goukou navigable?

About 15 km inland from the mouth at Stilbaai. It is a tidal river.

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