Cape West Coast accommodation

Cape West Coast Travel Guide

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The West Coast stretches from Yzerfontein in the south to Strandfontein in the north and incorporates the Swartland. Formerly one of the hidden gems of South Africa, this hub of the Southern African commercial fishing industry is becoming an increasingly popular destination for visitors, especially for the gorgeous displays of spring wildflowers each year. For most of the year however, it maintains its wild, somewhat desolate atmosphere that sets it apart from the more lush regions of the Western Cape.

The Gastro-bod's Gastropod

Abalone, or perlemoen, is a shellfish delicacy but stocks are currently severely threatened by illegal fishing. The creature – an edible sea-snail – is also known as muttonfish in Australia and ormer in Britain. The meat, if one can call it that, of this gastropod is much sought-after. Legally harvested abalone can sell for as much R650/kilogram in the markets and restaurant mark-ups can be astonishing. Unfortunately for this benighted creature, its shell is also very attractive. The poorer communities on the West Coast are almost totally dependent on fishing and the poaching of abalone severely threatens the sustainability of these populations. Be careful what you buy!

Local is Lekker

Crayfish – the saltwater spiny lobster. Enjoyed here by Portuguese navigators hundreds of years a go but only really popular worldwide from the early 1900s

Bokkoms – dried, cured fish. A sort of fish biltong...

Rooibos tea – from around Clanwilliam. This 'bush tea' is now increasingly popular worldwide and is the subject of a legal wrangle over the protection of the name.

Thrills & Spills

Velddrif – flamingos, spoonbills, glossy ibis, seafood and crafts. On the estuary of the Berg River

Lamberts Bay’s Bird Island – the world’s most accessible gannet colony. Walk across the breakwater for a Hitchcock moment with 25 000 gannets swinging tails.

Yzerfontein - for surfing and windsurfing. The 16 mile beachis 19 miles long!

Top Traveller's Tips

Langebaan Lagoon and the West Coast National Park – a streak of blue on an otherwise arid coastline. Surfing, kite-sailing and flamingos. But watch for the tides. www.langebaanlagoon.co.za

Paternoster – hundreds (soon to be thousands) of white-washed cottages and in amongst them, some occasional originals of one of the West Coast’s traditional fishing villages. www.paternoster.co.za

!Khwa ttu, Yzerfontein - the San take you on an eye-opening journey into their history and customs. Start clicking. www. khwattu.org

Darling – Evita se Perron, home of comedian Pieter-Dirk Uys and his nemesis and alter ego Evita Bezuidenhout. A quirky museum and restaurant to say the least. www.evita.co.za

Riebeek Kasteel – wines, port, good food and mountains. An easy day trip from Cape Town and away from the Winelands crowds. www.riebeekkasteel.co.za

Critics Cuisine

Gaaitjie Salt Water Restaurant, Paternoster – One of SA’s favourite and most imaginative home-grown chefs, Suzi Holtzhausen. 022 752 2242

Muisbosskerm, Lambert’s Bay – open air seafood restaurant that started as a family lunch and grew and grew 027 432 1017

Die Strandloper Restaurant, on the beach, Langebaan. Open-air and serving over a dozen typical West Coast fish dishes. Local guitarist strums Afrikaner fishing tunes 022 772 2490

Crafty shopping

Crayfish – the saltwater spiny lobster. Enjoyed here by Portuguese navigators hundreds of years a go but only really popular worldwide from the early 1900s

Bokkoms – dried, cured fish. A sort of fish biltong...

Rooibos tea – from around Clanwilliam. This 'bush tea' is now increasingly popular worldwide and is the subject of a legal wrangle over the protection of the name.

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