Holiday Guest House is situated in the Langebaan Country Club on the beautiful 18-hole Mashie Course, which consists of a short and tricky first 9 holes with pesky water features and canny slopes. The second 9 holes are all longer between 100 metres and 160 metres, providing a challenge for even the most discerning golfer – all holes ranging from 58m to 91m. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by parents. Also nearby, is the Country Estate, “Black Knight”, 18-hole links-type well-draining Championship Course. The total course length is 6359m from the championship tees (6994 yards), 5826m to 6071m from the club- and senior tees, and 5202m from the ladies tees. The course requires soft spikes and also includes a halfway house and locker rooms.
The Langebaan Lagoon and surrounding waters offer some incredible paddling experiences. The Lagoon is a RAMSAR site and is home to many flamingo’s, penguins, oystercatchers, whales, dolphins, along with nearly 25% of Southern Africa’s bird life. The waters of the Lagoon are not open to the extreme elements, so paddling on the Lagoon is easy and fun, and not to mention safe! A development program for previously disadvantaged kids is also run in Langebaan during the 1st, 2nd and 4th school terms. Langebaan plays host to one of the Cape Point Qualifiers where paddlers paddle out of the Lagoon on their way to the finish at Jacob’s Bay.
Langebaan is celebrated for the amazing variety of its bird life, which is attracted by the juxtaposition of several contrasting ecosystems: the rough shoreline of the Atlantic coast contrasts with the millpool calmness of the marine lagoon and the aridity of the fynbos is a sharp contrast to the fresh water environment around the Abrahamskraal water hole.
Swimming and watersports in the turquoise Langebaan lagoon: The lagoon is rich in produce supporting important fisheries businesses, the largest seafood farming projects in SA and not forgetting fun coastal activities like fishing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and boardsailing. The lagoon is shallow and largely protected from the open ocean, so unlike the rest of the Atlantic coastline, there is usually little in the way of wave action and currents, which makes it perfect for children and people with limited water proficiency. The beautiful Shark Bay offers an unmatched marine-protected outdoor experience like no other.
An excellent place to go whale-watching (Aug - Oct) when Southern Right W hales cruise and breach along the coastline. They are attracted to the rich feeding grounds created by the cold Benguela current which moves up the West Coast, and come in to calve in the relatively sheltered environment of Saldanha Bay. If you love escaping from civilisation into wild, challenging surroundings, then the fantastic West Coast National Park is for you! Holiday Guest House Langebaan is situated a mere 5km from the entrance and 3km from the first landscape views of the park - a unique and fascinating peek into the West Coast ecosystem, offering an idea of what you’re privileged to be looking at. A visitors’ map is issued free of charge on entry to the park and features a ‘tick list’ of animals and birds.
The Postberg Nature Reserve, also know as the Postberg Flower Reserve, is situated within the West Coast National Park in Langebaan. It is closed for most of the year, but is opened to the public during spring (August – September) where one can view the awe-inspiring, exceptional carpet of spring flowers in the reserve. Another positive aspect of the limited opening times is that there is game here that hasn’t quite learned to shy away from humans. Keep an eye out for zebra, wildebeest, antelope, ostrich, mongoose, rock hyrax, snakes, birds, and tortoises. The picnic and braai spots along the coast are fantastic for whale watching.
You could be forgiven for not envisaging that you would ever be tempted to visit a disused mine site on your trip to South Africa, but perhaps the unique West Coast Fossil Park will make you change your mind! The fossil park is located approximately 150 km north of Cape Town (a 1.5-2 hour drive) on the site of the old Chemfos mine which mined phosphate for fertiliser manufacture. During mining, a huge number of mammal bones were unearthed, which provide a fascinating insight into the ecosystem of the region during the late Miocene/early Pliocene (circa 5.2 million years ago) – a blink of an eye in terms of geological time. The mine was finally closed in 1993, and the site was deemed to be of such scientific significance that it was handed over to Iziko (the South African museum).
The lagoon was zoned as a protected area in 1976 and was later declared as a National Park and Marine Protected Area (MPA). MPAs are declared by law to safeguard the ocean’s diverse marine life. The lagoon was divided into three sections where fishing is allowed in zone A. Catching of linefish in terms of a recreational fishing permit or netfishing permit is allowed in this zone on a permit obtained from the West Coast Parks Board. Well-found species include Galjoen, Hottentot, Kabeljou, Mackerel, Mullet and Steenbras. Recommended bait to use includes hokka, crabs, mussels, limpets, redbait, musselworms, prawns, octopus, pilchards, worms, shrimps and vegetable matter.
The West Coast National Park mountain bike trail is located on the Langebaan Lagoon. It offers a unique way to experience mountain biking. Options include an easy(13km) and extended intermediate(18km) - scenic, not technically challenging, a pleasant ride with great views and a unique opportunity to cycle in a national park. Out in the open it is like a biking safari that lets you feel and smell the park and see and hear the birds and animals. This mountain bike trail allows you to enjoy many experiences from an intimate up close feel in amongst the fynbos, to the breathtaking views of the Lagoon from top of Seeberg. A variety of animals can be spotted, including caracal, bat eared foxes, porcupines, duiker, bontebok, springbok, ostriches, and a world class selection of birds.
You would have to look hard to find a more family friendly beaches in the Western Cape than Langebaan. The beach is made of clean, soft white sand and is a joy underfoot. It’s just asking for you to play a game of beach volleyball or soccer, particularly when the tide goes out to expose a wide expanse of beach. There are good toilet facilities (although no showers) as well as braaipleks adjacent to the car park on the main beach.
A selection of 5 beaches await: Mykonos, Kitesurfer's, Main Beach, Paaltjies, Shark Bay
Local annual swimming event. The 1.6km swim will follow a course from Langebaan main beach across to Schaapen Island and then adjacent to the island for approximately 800m with a turn point marked by a bouy. Swimmers will then follow the same course back again to the finish on main beach. The flagship 3.2 km swim will cross from Langebaan main beach to a bouy at Schaapen Island. Participants will then swim around the island until they reach the same bouy, then swim back to the finish on main beach.
Annual Schedule: Feb - April
Where: Main Beach, Langebaan Lagoon
Categories: Male and Female, wet suit or costume dividided by age groups. All ages welcome.
Entries and more information: langebaanevents.co.za
42.2km, 21.1km & 10km, PLUS 5km FUN RUN
Hosted at the stunning venue Langebaan Country Estate Organised by Langebaan Strandlopers in association with West Coast Honorary Rangers. RUN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASA and WPA RULES.
Annual Schedule: May
Where: Langebaan Country Estate
Categories: Male and Female, Ages 12+
Entries and more information:weskusmarathon.co.za
Hop on down to Langebaan town hall, Main Beach for an egg-stra special West Coast Easter. 60+ egg-cellent stalls to browse and shop, So come put all your eggs in one basket and enjoy the day with us from 10am to 3pm. Be a good egg and bring along your whole family or some bunny special to share in the fun. Entry and parking is absolutely free with lots of smiles and friendliness abound. Wheelchair user and baby stroller friendly, restrooms on site.
Annual Schedule: April date tba, 10am to 3pm
Where: Bree and Suffren Street, Town Hall, 7357 Langebaan
More information: [email protected]
The Langebaan Downwind Dash is THE premier downwind event in Africa where windsurfers, kiteboarders/kitesurfers, dinghy and catamaran sailors and stand-up paddle boarders join in a on a really special race – harnessing the power of wind and water for some wild, wet fun. Langebaan is a beginner downwind heaven. The easiest run is from the Yachtclub to Sandra’s parking, ~2.2km and requires strong SE and incoming tide. Standing waves, easy to catch and read and short enough to not stress you out if you are not getting on foil. You can extend to Mykonos 7km but past Sandra’s the bumps go very weak and then slowly build up as you go towards Club Mykonos again - you exit via the harbour.
Annual Schedule: January
Where: Langebaan Main Beach
More information: facebook.com/DownWindDash/
Unforgettable musical exhibitions from local and international talent across four dynamic stages; multiple dance floors for every musical flavour; plenty of fun, experience-driven activations; interactive pop-ups; mouth-watering food stalls; efficient and easy bar access – enveloped with the seal of camaraderie.
Annual Schedule: November
Where: Cape Town
More information and tickets: rockingthedaisies.com/ct/tickets/festival-tickets/
Sailors from all across South Africa compete for the title of national champion.
The Hobie Cat Class Association of South Africa is a non profit organisation, involved in organising events and promoting the Hobie way of life in South Africa. Join the Hobie Cat class in your region and become part of most exciting and fun lifestyle available. Hobie class members regularly participate in local sailing events in their region, national sailing events, sailing events on the African continent and even international sailing events in Europe, Australia an more. Form competitive sailing regattas at the highest level to fun sailing and extreme coastal events, the South African Hobie Cat class has something for everybody and every level of sailor.
Annual Schedule: April/May Where: Langebaan Yacht Club
More information: sailing.org.za
A highlight on the WCCU race calendar, this event is a fun, fun and more fun. The race, with a strong field of approx. 250 participants takes place in Velddrif. Often with near flat water conditions and a very light cool breeze coming from the North West, this race is perfect for recently introduced paddlers.
There is a 10 km race or the longer 20 km race. Race safety is of a high standard.
The race is well organised, and supported by the local community and Velddrif tourism.
Annual Schedule: January
Where: Velddrif
More information: wccanoeunion.co.za/event/west-coast-canoe-challenge/