Cape West Coast

The Cape West Coast is a distinctive and unusual region which starts only one hours' drive north from Cape Town. It offers distinctive sandveld vegetation, picturesque fishing villages, long sandy beaches and huge bird colonies. And its unique brand of hospitality is typified by rustic open-air seafood restaurants. It all adds up to the refreshing charm of the Cape West Coast of South Africa.

One of the delights of the West Coast is that it is little visited compared to busier Hermanus and the Garden Route. So you can find kilometres of empty beach for evening strolls. We recommend basing yourself either at the quietly beguiling little fishing village of Paternoster. Or perhaps the lagoon town of Langebaan. (Langebaan has also become one of the best places for kite-surfing in the Cape.)

Sites to visit include the West Coast National Park which comes into its own in the spring flower season, which opens up the normally private Postberg Nature Reserve. This is worth a visit at any time of year to see the flora and fauna. Other delights include the Khwa Ttu San Heritage centre for its fascinating museum. And the West Coast Fossil Park