Langebaan
Langebaan is situated 120kms north of Cape Town on the edge of the pristine Langebaan lagoon, home to abundant birdlife and sea creatures.
With more than 300 species of birds found around the lagoon of the West Coast National Park, Langebaan is a favoured destination for avid bird watchers.
The idyllic blue water and white beaches surrounding the Langebaan Lagoon is one ofLangebaan's main attractions for watersportenthusiasts. The mild climate and protected waters of the lagoon make Langebaan popular forsailing, kayaking, kitesurfing and fishing. The town offers several entertainment facilities,restaurants, pubs and coffee shops for holiday makers.
In order to protect its culture as a fishing, holiday and retirement village, the town allows no industries.
Club Mykonos Resort hosts a number of annual events, festivals and exhibitions including large-scale sporting events such as triathlons, the downwind dash, cycling, car gymkhanas and more.
A monthly craft market as well as art exhibitions through the year, showcase the talents of local artists. Community events includes the church bazaar and the annual Langebaan Mussel Festival, which takes place on the first weekend of October.
The entire coastal town explodes into a magical floral carpet of rainbow colours from July to September as nature provides this annual phenomenon which brings thousands of visitors to the picturesque coastal town of Langebaan.
Attractions
- Arts & Crafts
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
- Casino
- Festivals & Events
- Golf
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking and kitesurfing
- Model aeroplanes
- Mountain biking
Attractions
- Nature reserve
- Picnics
- Quad biking
- Sailing
- Sunset cruises
- Windsurfing
- Whale watching
- Yachting
- Langebaan Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 752 2323
Darling
Known as the heartbeat of the West Coast region Darling lies less than an hours drive from Cape Town and just 40 minutes from Masada Guest House. An ideal day trip. Darling offers fabulous light hearted entertainment opportunities in the form of Evita's se Perron where you'll be enveloped in the warmth of the Darling community and the entertainment talents of our very own Tannie Evita (Pieter Dirk Uys) who will keep you enthralled with the latest politial satire.
Experience local history and culture at the local museum. Visit wine farms and experience the annual flower spectacular as nature puts on its very own wild flower show for you.
Attractions
- Cloof Wines
- Darling Renosterveld Reserve
- Hildebrand monument (Anglo-boer War)
- Evita se Perron
- Groote Post Wine Estate & Restaurant
- Darling Cellars
- Wild Flowers in season July to September
- Orchid show (September)
- Darling Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 492 3361
Paternoster
Paternoster is possibly the most scenic and romantic fishing village on the Cape West Coast, reminiscent of a typical Mediterranean seaside village. Azure blue waters, lime washed seaside cottages, delicious seafood delicacies from the ocean and crisp ice cold white wine complete the perfect picture.
The laidback tempo at which this magical seaside resort ticks will bring any city slicker back for more of the same. The town which lies approximately 150km from Cape Town is home to more or less 1000 inhabitants who still today earn their living from the azure blue waters of the West Coast Ocean catching their quotas of crayfish. On a good day you can bargain for fresh West Coast Kreef (crayfish) on the roadside.
Paternoster, meaning "Our Father" in latin, allegedly, took its name from the solemn prayers of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors.
Attractions
- Fishing and Fishing Charters
- Golf
- Vredenburg offers an excellent 9 hole golf course just 15 minutes away.
Tel: +27 (0) 22 715-3003 - Kite Surfing
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Noisy Oyster
A new eatery offering local delicacies. Definitely worth a visit. - The Voorstrandt Restaurant
Located on the pristine white sandy beach with breathtaking views. An experience not to be missed. - Paternoster se Padstal
Here you'll find a delicious selection of homemade goodies for your self catering vacation.
Mobile: 073 476 6859 - Paternoster Hotel
Here you will enjoy meals from an A La Carte menu or a quick meal of fish and chips. Visit their famous landmark "pub". We'll say no more here... go and see for yourself. - Bird Watching and Hiking Trails
- Boat Based Whale Watching
- Cape Columbine Nature Reserve (10km)
Is the site of the last manned lighthouse built in South Africa. It offers hiking, angling, bird-watching, diving, kayaking and beach campsite.
Tel +27 22 7151142
Fax +27 227151141 - Pottery from Gerhard Van Den Heever
Don't go home without a beautiful piece of decorative or functional ware from Gerhard Van Den Heever's Pottery Studio. Well worth a visit, you'll be back.
Tel: +27 (0) 22 7522 061
Fax:+27 (0) 22 7522 648
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 9949 734 - Oep Ve Koep
A charming store with an interesting stock inventory including antiquesand bric-a-brac.
Tel/Fax: +27 (0) 22 752 2632
Paternoster Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 752 2323
Hopefield
Situated on route 45, Hopefield was originally developed as a church community on the banks of the Zoute River in 1853. Hopefield is known for its spectacular displays of seasonal wild flowers as it is situated in the heart of "fynbos" country. Several fossil deposits are to be found on the local farm Elandsfontein.
Attractions
- Fossil Museum at the local Tourism Office
- Dutch Reformed Church & Hall
- Replica of the Hartebeeshuisie
- Flowers during Spring (Tel: 022 - 723 1720)
- Langrietvlei National Monument (by appointment only Tel: 022 - 783 0856)
- Hopefield Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 723 1720
Saldanha
Saldanha Bay is situated approximately 140Km from Cape Town on the West Coast Road (R27). The town was built upon one of the largest natural bays on our African coast, but development only truly got underway once a pipeline providing fresh water from the Berg River was laid to the town.
Saldanha Bay Harbour is renowned for its ability to handle amongst other commodities, the shipping of iron ore for which a dedicated railway line was built to transport iron ore from Sishen to Saldanha Bay for this very purpose.
Several industries have emerged and provide much needed employment for the local population, as a result of the Saldanha Bay harbour including companies such as Namakwa Sands, Duferco and Sea Harvest. The beautiful bay is home to the Saldanha Yacht Club which hosts several regattas annually.
Saldanha Bay is widely known for its Naval Training Base and the South African Military Academy. The SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve is a "must see" during late winter and early spring for the beautiful spring flowers and Southern Right Whales who visit the bay. Don't miss the "Hoedjieskop"-Reserve, a hill in the middle of the town offering magnificent photo opportunities with 360 degree views of the town.
Attractions
- Hoedjieskoppie Nature Reserve
- Naval Training Base
- Oyster and mussel beds
- SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve
Tel +27 22 7023523
Tel +27 22 7144022 - Whales (Seasonal)
- Wild Flowers (Seasonal)
- Saldanha Bay Harbour
- Saldanha Bay Yacht Club
- Watersports
- Saldanha Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 714 2088
Jacobsbaai
A secluded bay with a sea frontage of approximately 2 kms, Jocobsbaai conjures up images of Greece with its fisherman style cottages dotting the water's edge. An abundance of seafood makes this a seafood lovers paradise. Enjoy crayfish, mussels and abalone from the pristine waters of the protected coves and crannies in this beautiful bay.
Attractions
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Wild flowers in season (End July to September)
- Jacobsbaai Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 714 2088
Veldrif
This picturesque fishing village is where the mighty Berg River finds its way into the ocean. Birders and fishing hotspot, Velddrif offers ideal family fun for a day trip. Renowned for Bokkoms (salted and sundried haarders), enjoy boating, sailing fabulous little art and antique shops as well as studios restaurants and interesting eateries along the banks of the river.
Attractions
- Mission Church (1942)
- Old Church (1908)
- Pelican Harbour
- Bird watching on the Berg River
- Fynbos
- Flamingo Birding Route
- Laaiplek Harbour Bird Watching
- Rocherpan Nature Reserve
- Arts and Crafts
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Veldrif Tourism Office
Tel: 022 - 783 1821
Lambert's Bay
Crayfish country and seafood mecca, Lambert's Bay is a pictureque little seaside village with a holiday atmosphere all year round. Watersports, bird watching, whale and dolphin watching, 4x4 and hiking trails are just some of the activities to keep you busy when visiting this busy little seaside town. The locals are happy to guide you to the renowned open air restaurant Muisbosskerm where you will enjoy local delicacies from the sea including crayfish, snoek, other line fish, potbrood, homemade jams and preserves and more.
Hiking, 4 x 4 and quad bike trails, art galleries and museums will keep you busy on a day trip to Lambert's Bay. Take a boat trip out to Bird Island and view gannets, cormorants and seals. There's something for everyone in Lambert's Bay.
Attractions
- Muisbosskerm open air restaurant on the beach
- Birding
- Whale and dolphin watching
- Sandveldt Museum
- House built of whale bones (At the farm Wadrift)
- Dutch Reformed Church pulpit
- Eco Boat Trips
- 4 x 4 Trails
- Quad biking
- Art galleries
- Golf
- Lamberts Bay Tourism Office
Tel: 027 - 432 1000