The West Coast of South Africa has become a popular international holiday destination with its unspoilt beaches, dramatic mountain ranges and carpets of stunning spring flowers.
Visitors can experience its diverse geology and natural life in the West Coast National Park, Rocherpan Nature Reserve and Bird Island Nature Reserve while whale and dolphin watching off the coast will give a view of the area's rich marine life.
The region is bordered by the Winelands District in the south, the Breede River District in the east and the Northern Cape Province in the north and east. On the west, the region borders on the Atlantic Ocean, with its cold Benguela Current, which plays an important role in the ecology of the region.
The Cape West Coast lays claim to a variety of interesting attractions, but its annual wild flower display in and around Namaqualand takes top honours. Between mid-August and mid-September the entire region transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour as the flowers carpeting the landscape bloom – a sight definitely not to be missed!
The Cape West Coast Region is situated on theNorth-westerly side (bordering the Atlantic Ocean) of the Western Cape in South Africa, directly above Cape Town. It is divided into five regions, namely: Namaqua West Coast; Cederberg; Bergrivier; Peninsula and Swartland. Each region has roughly seven or eight towns within it.
Info about the region
The Cape West Coast is renowned among South Africans for its al fresco eateries and traditional restaurants, which serve local fish and other seafood.
Take a trip inland to the wine farms of the Swartland and Sandveld, or spend some outdoor time hiking along trails in the spectacular Cederberg and Groot Winterhoek mountains. Look out for unique West Coast vegetation known as renosterveld, which is in danger of extinction.
Visit quaint seaside towns like Velddrif, where life is lived in the slow lane, or Paternoster, home to multi-coloured fishing boats and the Cape Columbine lighthouse.
Enjoy an al fresco feast of bokkoms (dried fish), crayfish and snoek (barracuda), or enjoy a glass of local wine from one of the friendly cellars along the Cape West Coast wine route; the Olifant’s River Vodacom Wine Route, the Darling Wine Experience and the Swartland Wine Route.