South Africa’s west coast is still considered to be a relatively unspoilt coastline due to it’s rugged beauty, biosphere and long white sandy beaches that stretch for kilometers on end.

This unique coastline, nestled with fisherman’s cottages, coves and bays have been a haven for surfer’s from around the globe to ornithologists, botanists and for hiker’s in search of bushman paintings and natural rock pools and waterfalls in the Cederberg region.   For those who have been to Greece will feel rite at home, as the landscape, white-washed houses, and fresh seafood eateries will make you want to Zorba the night away.

The Cape’s West Coast area consists of five regions, namely: Swartland, Peninsula, Bergrivier, Cederberg, Namaqua West Coast.  These regions are easily accessable by car from Cape Town via the R27, or the N7, that leads all the way to Namibia.

1. Towns in the Swartland (the Gateway to the West Coast)

• Darling
• Koringberg
• Malmesbury
• Moorreesburg
• Riebeek-Kasteel
• Riebeek-West
• Mamre

Highlights:

• West Coast Wild Flower Show (natural phenomenon)
• Wheat Fields (the breadbasket of the Cape)
• Olive and Wine Farms
• Southern Right and Humpback whales
• Local Artists
• Evita se Peron – Theatre and Restaurant/bar (Pieter Dirk Uys)
• Darling Brewery
• Olive Festival in Riebeek valley
• Southern Right and Humpback Whales at Yzerfontein
• Groote Post Wine farm – Darling
• Cloof Wine Estate – Darling
• Ormonde Cellars – Darling
• The Darling Stagger is a 25km hike, leniently spread across three days, from Darling to Yzerfontein, passing through wine and olive farms along the way.
• Horse Riding in Koringberg
• Guided tours of the olive oil presses in Riebeek valley
• Bokbaaivygie flower trail – Yzerfontein
• Schaapeiland Trail along the coast
• !Khwa ttu San Culture & Education Centre

2. Towns in the Peninsula

• Hopefield
• Jacobsbaai
• Langebaan
• Peternoster
• Saldanha
• St Helena Bay
• Vredenburg

Highlights:

• Quaint fishing villages
• West Coast National Park (30 000ha)
• Langebaan Lagoon
• Seafood, crayfish, fish, mussels and abalone
• Kite surfers, wind surfers, kayakers, fishermen and yachtsmen
• Flamingoes and Whales
• West Coast Fossil Park “Eve’s Footprint” – 16 Mile Beach at Yzerfontein
• Country Club Golf Course – Langebaan
• The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve in Paternoster
• Tietiesbaai
• St Helena Bay – Discovered by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1497
• Prime fishing centre
• Southern Right Whales
• endemic Heavieside’s Dolphin, Humpback & Killer Whales
• Palearctic migratory birds
• Vredenburg Golf Course
• Five Bay Trail, a 28km stretch between Paternoster and Jacobsbaai.

3. Towns in the Bergrivier

• Aurora
• Goedverwacht
• Piketberg
• Porterville
• Redelinghuys
• Velddrif
• Wittewater

Highlights:

• Berg River Canoe Marathon
• Rocherpan Nature Reserve
• Redelinghuys is renowned for its rare bird species & Military history was made at Vegkop
• Sandveld Houses in Aurora
• Rolling Wheat fields and Vineyards
• The rare Disa Uniflora in Porterville
• San Rock Art
• Paragliding
• Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve
• Waterfall Trail
• Porterville Cellars (Organic Wine)
• Verlorenvlei (RAMSAR protected – Wetlands of International Importance)
• Sailing in St Helena Bay
• Antique and Art Stores

 

4. Towns in the Cederberg

• Citrusdal
• Clanwilliam
• Elands Bay
• Graafwater
• Lambert’s Bay
• Leipoldtville
• Wupperthal

Highlights:

• Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails (The Cederberg Odyssey Trail)
• Rooibos & Buch Tea
• Citrus farms
• Ramskop Nature Reserve at the Clanwilliam Dam Resort
• Clanwilliam Wildflower Society
• Rock Art & Fossils
• Verlorenvlei – 180 Bird species
• Surfers Paradies: Elands Bay and it’s perfect left-breaking-wave.
• Bird Island off Lambert’s Bay (Seals / Gannets / Cormorants)
• 9-hole golf course
• Whale watching
• Seafood Mecca
• Wupperthal – Moravian (previously Rhenish) Mission Station

5. Towns in the Namaqua West Coast

• Bitterfontein
• Doringbaai
• Ebenhaezer & Papendorp
• Klawer
• Lutzville & Koekenaap
• Strandfontein
• Vanrhynsdorp
• Vredendal

Highlights:

• Gifberg, Maskam and Koebee mountain peaks
• Mission Stations
• Lighthouses
• Olifants River Estuary (Important Bird Life)
• Klawer Organic Wine Cellar
• Lutzville Vineyards
• San Rock Art
• Doring River Rafting
• Fresh Farm produce (Lutzville)
• Strandfontein Mussels & Crayfish
• Vanrhynsdorp Botanical Kingdoms: the Nama-Karoo vegetation, succulents in the Knersvlakte and Cape Fynbos
• Historical Buildings
• Namaqua Wines (Largest Wine Cellar in South Africa)