Witsand is a popular seaside resort with unspoilt beaches and a small harbor, situated at the mouth of the Breede River. The tranquil coastal town has the Southern Right whales breeding ground on its doorstep (June - October). It is also an important breeding ground for rare birds and home to the Blue Crane, South Africa's national bird. Bird watching along the Breede River is spectacular. The majestic Fish Eagle, the Osprey, Fish Owl, Kingfisher, Oyster Catcher are often seen along the banks of the Breede.

San Sebastian Bay at Witsand has the highest concentration of the Southern Right whales found in a single bay area, growing at an annual rate of 7%. The town of Witsand boasts the first Whale Watching Tower. The tower is the perfect location to study this magnificent creature close hand, often as close as a hundred metres. Another interesting whale watching tour is conducted on a tractor-trailer.

The surrounding Indian Ocean and Breede River, the country's largest river estuary, offer an abundance of water sports and fishing including swimming, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, deep sea fishing, river cruises, canoeing, sailing, spear-fishing and snorkeling are all to be enjoyed. Waterskiing is allowed beyond the 5D-mark, where the Slang River flows into the Breede River, towards Malgas.

The Breede River offers unique fishing with the upper reaches renowned for its fresh water fish such as bass, while the lower reaches are a Kob fisherman's paradise. The rock and surf angler will also not be disappointed with good catches all along the coastline. Fly-fishing has also become quite popular on the river. Various other fish species to be caught are galjoen, garrick(leervis), grunter, musselcracker, red roman and steenbras just to mention a few.

Witsand offers a 4km long unspoilt beach, leading to the well-known Moodie's Well. It has a clean, white beach (hence Whitesands) with safe swimming spots for days in the sun. Parents with smaller children also prefer the calm swimming spots along the river. Calming as some spots may be, there are days when the wind can howl and this gives the kite surfing adrenaline junkies a day of low flying thrills.

There are also several trails: The Infanta walk (5km), The Breede River Mount walk (6km), Moodies Well (8km) best walked at low tide follows the sand eastern sweep of St Sebastian Bay to a well dug by a Scotsman in the 19th century to store water on camping and fishing trips, Puntjie walk (15 - 20km), the River View Walk, Skuitbaai Walk (3km) and Westfield Walk (5 or 8km).