The West Coast offers picturesque fishing villages, long sandy beaches, immense bird colonies and delightful alfresco seafood restaurants on the beach. As well as carpets of flowers in spring…
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Just an hour’s drive north of Cape Town, the Cape West Coast offers a refreshingly off-the-radar escape. Think windswept beaches with no footprints, picturesque fishing villages, and beach shacks serving fresh crayfish with sand between your toes.
This region is known for its distinctive sandveld vegetation, vast bird colonies, and long empty beaches – perfect for sunset walks or shell-collecting missions.
Its unique brand of hospitality is typified by rustic open-air seafood restaurants. But foodies won’t want to miss some of top restaurants in Paternoster, including the award-winning Wolfgat and Oep ve Koep.
Fun Fact - Wolfgat in Paternoster was named the Best Restaurant in the World in 2019 – and it has just 20 seats and no formal kitchen.
One of the great joys of the West Coast is its low-key charm. Unlike the better-known Garden Route or Hermanus , the Cape West Coast is often gloriously quiet – especially outside of flower season. So your stroll on the beach may involve more gulls than humans.
Places to visit include the West Coast National Park spectacular during spring flower season when the usually closed Postberg Reserve opens its gates. But don’t limit your visit to spring – the park’s wildlife, birding and tranquil lagoon are a year-round delight.
Other delights include the !Khwa ttu San Heritage centre for its fascinating museum, the rugged beauty of the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve (especially during the spring flower period), and the prehistoric wonders of the West Coast Fossil Park.
Base yourself at the quietly beguiling little fishing village of Paternoster to the north. It’s a postcard-perfect fishing village with whitewashed cottages and weathered boats. Or choose Langebaan, a lagoon town known for watersports like kite-surfing, SUP--ing, or simply drifting aimlessly on a lilo’. The West Coast trifecta. With its steady summer breeze, Langebaan lagoon is a hub for kite-surfing holidays on the West Coast.
See some of our Langebaan and Paternoster accommodation suggestions below.
The quick answer is Late August to mid-September. Spring flower displays on the West Coast are later than Namaqualand and the Cederberg but still not as late as some people think. Especially head to the Postberg section of the West Coast National Park which is only open at this time of year. The Darling Flower show is usually in mid-September and this heralds the end of the usual season. But it all depends on the winter rains.
The Cape West Coast combines really well with the Cederberg Mountains or Clanwilliam. From there you can head south to the Winelands and even onto Hermanus or Sanbona.
Tips for Flower-viewing in the Cederberg & Namaqualand – when and where to see the Clanwilliam wild spring flowers
Best Walks in the northern Cederberg – for the best hiking trails in the Cederberg Mountains around Clanwilliam
Back to MAIN Cederberg page
From wildflowers to windsurfing, the Cape West Coast has it all. Let us show you how to do it right.
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