The West Coast Region is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the N7 arterial road from Cape Town to Namibia. It extends from Bloubergstrand, a north-western suburb of Cape Town, right up to Namaqualand in the Northern Cape Province. Like Namaqualand, the West Coast Region is known for its spectacular natural flower show in spring, as well as for tranquillity and hospitality. Both of these qualities are celebrated in open-air beach restaurants from Saldanha to Lamberts Bay where seafood and other West Coast delicacies are served at leisurely lunches and dinners consisting of at least a dozen courses.
The unrivalled geographical diversity lures more and more visitors from all over the world every year. The West Coast boasts beautiful unspoilt beaches, magnificent mountain ranges and hardy vegetation, but also fields of grain and vegetables, citrus plantations, vineyards and olive groves.
Worthwhile destinations within a 250 kilometre radius of Cape Town are Riebeek Kasteel, Darling, Langebaan, Paternoster, Lamberts Bay, Doringbaai and Clanwilliam.
The attraction of Langebaan Lagoon is in its white beaches, pleasantly tempered turquoise waters, the completely sheltered position and a mild climate – perfect for sailing, kayaking, kite surfing and fishing. Langebaan, the holiday town, is fully geared for water sport enthusiasts.
Most of the lagoon is protected and part of West Coast National Park which covers 27.500 hectares and extends south to Yzerfontein. The southern end of the lagoon, regarded as one of the most significant wetlands on earth, is a Ramsar Site. Countless bird species can be seen there, including Palaearctic waders. The privately owned Postberg Reserve, where all of the park‘s antelope live, is open to the public during the flower season in August and September.
Portuguese seafarer Vasco da Gama probably was the first European to set foot on the tip of Africa. Before landing in Cape Town in 1497 he sailed into a sheltered bay near the Berg River mouth and called it St. Helena Bay.
Unique Destinations: !Khwa ttu
