Cape West Coast

The Cape West Coast is a distinctive and unusual region which begins 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, and also by some innovative upmarket restaurants such as Wolfgat and Oep ve Koep. It all combines to create the refreshing charm of the Cape West Coast.

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. This is when the normally private Postberg Nature Reserve is open to visitors. But the park 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, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve (especially during the spring flower period), and the West Coast Fossil Park.