Here you will find the charming towns of Yzerfontein, Langebaan, Paternoster and Lambert’s Bay. The wide openness of the west coast and unique small town atmosphere provide a great escape for the soul from the city. The area is famous for its crayfish dishes – a feast at one of the open-air seafood restaurants should be on your priority list. To enjoy some of the most beautiful flower scenery in the world, be sure to travel the West Coast during the months of August and September.
Grab your camera and drive down the R27 – famous seafood restaurants, charming fishing villages, pristine coastlines and spectacular sunsets await!
Yzerfontein is internationally known for its al fresco and a la carte restaurants – think delicious crayfish, snoek and mussels. The city, very close to Cape Town, is known as the jewel of the west coast and is a good introduction to the area. If you’re here between August and December, look out for the whales, and if you can’t see any, the experienced surfers and windsurfers will keep you entertained!
Langebaan, beautifully situated opposite the Langebaan Lagoon, is a popular location on the west coast. This is the perfect place to relax and get away from it all. Don’t miss a visit to the world famous Strandloper Seafood restaurant – here you will find the freshest seafood in Langebaan with the sound of the sea in your ears. A nature lover’s dream, West Coast National Park is nearby and becomes a haven in spring when thousands of wildflowers blanket the area. The park’s lagoon is divided into three areas: a water sports area, a sailing and windsurfing area, and a natural area for walking and exploring.
Paternoster is the most beautiful and prettiest fishing village on the west coast, and if there is one place on this coast that you should see, this is it. Here you will discover the essence of the West Coast: a lifestyle rich and simple. Beautiful white-painted fishing shacks line the ocean, a local fish market is the town’s official stock exchange, and the local Paternoster Hotel keeps everyone entertained. The town is popular with those looking for a different, get-away-from-it-all experience – park your car and walk along the beach and roads. You’ll feel a million miles away.
From Paternoster, take the road through St Helena Bay towards Lambert’s Bay. This road takes you through beautiful coastlines and rugged landscapes. In Lambert’s Bay don’t miss a visit to Bird Island Nature Reserve. This 3-hectare island is home to the only Cape gannet breeding colony in the world accessible on foot (you’ll see hundreds of them) and is home to no less than 80 different species of birds, penguins, cormorants and seals. The new visitor complex and museum always welcome visitors: there’s a cafe and curio shop, an aquarium, and even a penguin pool. Lambert’s Bay is also famous for its excellent outdoor seafood restaurants.
Get there:
From Cape Town, take the N1 Highway / Table Way Blvd towards Bellville. Turn left at Paarden Eiland / Milnerton, turn onto Marine Drive (R27).
The R27 will take you to the turnoffs for Yzerfontein, Langebaan and Vredenburg (for Paternoster). From Paternoster take the gravel road towards Stompneusbay and around St Helena Bay towards Lambert’s Bay.