Cape West Coast Destinations & Attractions
The Cape West Coast retains an unspoilt, rugged appeal, despite its being so abundant in natural beauty and fun activities. It is quiet, even sparse in places. This gives it a stunning sense of serenity and peace that is truly African. The landscape presents a spectrum of mountain ranges, fields of wild flowers and long stretches of perfect beaches.
Many of the occupied areas are small fishing villages, and the local residents have a salt-of-the-earth charm and intrigue that defines them. They are known for their incredible sense of humour as well their ability to tell tales (some true, some very exaggerated) about the area and its history.
The coastal stretch is famous for its delicious seafood. Snoek, crayfish and mussels are abundant here. Visitors must be sure to try bokkoms, which is salted fish (mullet) that has been dried in bunches. This is considered to be the local delicacy and is very tasty. Just make sure to have plenty of water available!
The small town of Darling is certainly one of the most famous within the region of the Cape West Coast. This village is flanked by rolling wheat fields and green vineyards and is known for its spectacular display of wild flowers in the spring time. It is also particularly acclaimed for being the site of Evita se Perron. This is the restaurant and comedy hotspot of famous South African satirist, Pieter Dirk-Uys, and his alter-ego, Evita Bezuidenhout. Dirk-Uys is known for turning the South African political scene around, forcing locals to take a good look, while under the influence of the hysterical laughs he induces. The entire venue is furnished in kitsch accessories that reflect the South Africa of the 1950’s and 1960’s, and the menu is full of traditional favourites.
Clanwilliam is a small town that enjoys its prime positioning at the foot of the magnificent Cederberg Mountain Range. This town is acclaimed as the original site of Rooibos tea, as well as the home of handmade veldskoene. It is one of South Africa’s oldest towns and is, therefore, fascinating to explore. Its wide streets and old-world architecture are magnificent. For those that love the outdoors, the Cederberg is not to be missed. There are hundreds of trails, many of which feature caves with original Khoi art.
Saldanha has gained acclaim for lying on the largest, deepest natural bay in South Africa, not surprisingly called Saldanha Bay. Apart from being aesthetically faultless, Saldanha is also popular amongst eco-tourists.
Those spending time on the Cape West Coast should also visit Elands Bay, Kraalbaai, Lamberts Bay, Paternoster, and Langebaan.
Aurora
Aurora is one of those little unheard of villages on the Cape West Coast region just inland from Dwarskersbos, close to other towns of the region - Redelingshuys, Picketberg, Eendekuil and Goedverwacht.
Aurora is a small, ...
Britannia Bay
Britannia Bay is an unspoilt West Coast town that boasts incredible, pristine beaches. The waters of the bay are warmer, which invites whales and dolphins, making for fabulous marine viewing. Britannia Bay is less than two hours’ ...
Churchhaven
Ask the average person and they will not have heard of Churchhaven, or Church Haven as it is often written. Some will tell you that it is somewhere on the West Coast, and they would be right. But few know that it is hidden away ...
Darling
This small village makes the most of its perfect positioning by showcasing some of the best displays of wild flowers along the West Coast. Its landscapes are beautiful even when the flowers are not in bloom, and those who have ...
Doringbaai
Doringbaai is a small fishing village that retains its sleepy, peaceful ambience. Every year, the Southern Right Whales come to this bay to calve, and visitors can watch as they show off just metres from the shore ...
Dwarskersbos
Dwarskersbos is perched on the magnificent West Coast of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where the icy turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean lap mile after untouched mile of shells and sand. This entire region is ...
Ebenhaezer
Ebenhaezer is rural village on the Cape West Coast of South Africa, where the fishing villages complement the farming communities within naturally spectacular surrounds. This little community gets to enjoy the annual bloom of the ...
Elands Bay
The charming Eland’s Bay is a quiet fishing village that is visited by those with a real appreciation for the prettiness of its untouched beaches. It is also popular amongst fishermen and those wanting to watch as the whales and ...
Goedverwacht
The mission village of Goedverwacht lies off the R399 close to Piketberg. Its main road is lined with colourful fruit trees and gardens; a pretty little town with a history to match.
Goedverwacht was originally a farm called ...
Grotto Bay
Grotto Bay, situated just outside Darling on the West Coast, is a beautiful retreat of wild vegetation, rugged beaches and stunning homes. It is home to a number of natural resources (including reserves), showcasing some of the ...
Hopefield
Despite the fact that Hopefield, when compared with nearby popular West Coast towns like Paternoster, Saldanha, Velddrif and St Helena Bay, tends to be something of a wallflower, it is fast earning its place on the calendars of ...
Jacobsbaai
Made up of seven individual bays, Jacobsbaai has been preserved for its charm and old-world appeal. It remains quiet and undisturbed, although being acclaimed for its excellent fresh seafood and beautiful wild flower displays ...
Kersbosstrand
For the ultimate in tranquillity, a true retreat from the hubbub of the big city, Kersbosstrand near Dwarskersbos is just about perfect. This little village invites travellers to sample the magic of the West Coast, where ...
Kraalbaai
Lying just outside the Postberg Flower Reserve, which is part of the West Coast National Park, Kraalbaai is a beautiful, lagoon-side space in which to escape, made all the more memorable by the obvious house-boats moored in the ...
Laaiplek
Almost indistinguishable from Velddrif, Laaiplek lies on the west side of of the town closest to the sea, its name derived from its function - a place where one can offload the catch of the day on the pier.
The heart of ...
Lamberts Bay
Lamberts Bay is crayfish country, and its many restaurants ensure that visitors get to sample some of the best seafood around. The beaches are nothing short of spectacular, and are ideal for sports like sand-boarding, kiting, ...
Langebaan
Langebaan is a water-lover’s dream as it boasts incredible beaches (distinctly tropical in style) and a calm, inviting lagoon. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy water sports, or just lazing on the warm sands and exploring ...
Lutzville
The Western Cape coastline is extensive with an incredible beauty that is quite unique, leaving a fond spot in the hearts of those who have visited this part of South Africa. It is known for its fishing villages and friendly, ...
Mamre
The 'great tree of Mamre' is where Abraham is said to have pitched his tent. Whilst he never owned the land on which his tent rested, he did later buy a piece of land very close to it where he buried his wife, Sarah.
And ...
Nuwerus
The hamlet of Nuwerus lies at the intersection of the N7 and Route 363 between Garies and Vanrhynsdorp, just south of the equally small Bitterfontein.
It's described by those who live there as a little, country town within an ...
Papendorp
Near to the banks of the exquisite Olifants River, in the heart of the Cape West Coast of South Africa, is the small fishing village of Papendorp. This settlement is situated along the Atlantic Coast, the chilly water of which is ...
Paternoster
The historical little town of Paternoster is less than two hours’ drive from Cape Town, and favoured as a weekend retreat for those from the big city. Whales can be found in its waters for 10 months out of 12, and its boughs and ...
Philadelphia
Not the Philadelphia one attributes to the eastern parts of North America, just south of New Jersey, this Philadelphia lies but 20 minutes outside of Cape Town, past Durbanville.
Rural Philadelphia is just off the N7 towards ...
Port Owen
Port Owen is a gorgeous little town that is characterised by a serene, holiday type of vibe. It is sibling to St Helena Bay, Laiplek and Dwarskersbos, and is surrounded by magnificent wetlands and bird sanctuaries, making its ...
Redelinghuys
Lying but two hours' drive from Cape Town, Redelinghuys is known as the potato capital of the Sandveld. It lies on the R366 between Picketberg and Velorenvlei, north of Aurora and en route to Elands Bay, if you like ...
Saldanha
Saldanha Bay is the deepest and biggest natural bay in South Africa, and is the address of the little harbour town of the same name. This is a fishing town that, while popular amongst those seeking refuge from the city vibe, ...
Shelley Point
Nestled between Saldanha and Port Owen is the pretty, quiet little village of Shelley Point. Being perched on a peninsula, the town looks like it occupies an island of its own. It is home to many gorgeous bird species, and its ...
St Helena Bay
Discovered by Portuguese explorer, Da Gama, in 1497, St Helena Bay is a picturesque and historical fishing village, known for its abundant waters. It is a popular spot for whales to calve, and comes alive every year with millions ...
Stompneusbaai
It seems ridiculous distinguishing Stompneusbaai from St Helena Bay as the two are virtually synonymous, but there is a distinction, particularly if you stay here often.
St Helena Bay lies on a stretch of coastline on which ...
Strandfontein
The unspoilt beaches of Strandfontein have always been something spectacular. But, this little village is becoming increasingly popular as an escape from the humdrum of city life. It is famous for its annual wild flower displays, ...
Vanrhynsdorp
Vanrhynsdorp is the heart of the Namaqualand, and boasts absolutely spectacular displays of wild flowers every year. It is about two hours’ drive north of Cape Town, and welcomes many visitors to its borders as they come here to ...
Velddrif
Velddrif is a small, tranquil fishing village that immerses its visitors into the unrivalled pleasure of serenity and a natural silence. Here, time stands still and the views can be enjoyed at leisure ...
Vredenburg
Vredenburg is a historical little town along the Cape West Coast, scarcely an hour from the Mother City. The Fossil Park is one of the main tourist attractions of this town, as well as its many historical sites and natural lures ...
Vredendal
Although its roots extend to the 18th century, Vredendal is now a rather modern little town on the border of the Namaqualand. With its unique positioning, it allows visitors to explore the Cederberg and West Coast too, making it ...
Yzerfontein
Yzerfontein is the gateway to the magnificence of the Cape West Coast. Its beaches stretch on as far as the eye can see, and are characterised by a rugged, unspoilt beauty. It is known for its temperate, pleasant weather ...
