Travelling in South Africa is a fulfilling and exciting journey. There are many gorgeous places that call to our inner traveller, and beckon us to embrace new and beautiful experiences. One of these places is none other than the bountiful West Coast National Park.
Found 120 km north of the city of Cape Town, this gem provides breathtaking landscapes, sweeping ocean vistas, and pristine natural surroundings. And let’s not forget the many types of thrilling activities. This stunning piece of paradise, boarded by the welcoming Atlantic ocean, is a hub for all types of adventure.
Getting to The West Coast National Park
You can catch a flight to Cape Town with Mango Airlines, or another of your favourite airlines. Then, take a drive down the coast for an incredible seaside getaway. Keep our list of the best things to do on the West Coast of SA close by, and you’re sure to have a blast.
The West Coast National Park (Known in Afrikaans as the Weskus Nasionale Park) is famed for having some of the most beautiful places to see. There are 6 distinct routes along the West Coast of South Africa that you can explore, namely:
- The Culture Route
- The Cape Way
- The Tractor Route
- The Foodie Route
- The Berg Route
- The Wild Route
This beautiful park is part of the Culture Route. Whether you are spending a day or a week – there’s something for every type of trip and every type of person.
Top 10 Things to Do in The West Coast Nature Reserve
This list will share some of the best things to get up to that you can enjoy whilst here. Here are some of the most amazing places to visit, things to see and activities to do in the West Coast National Park.
1. Go Birding at the Langebaan Lagoon
The lush lagoon habitat of the Langebaan Lagoon invites countless flocks of stunning birds. This gives you a chance to spot some of South Africa’s most mesmerizing winged beauties. You can even meet African Penguins and Cape gannets.
If you want, you can also plan for a weekend of Langebaan camping so that you have plenty of time to enjoy this untouched natural lagoon.
2. Kick Back and Relax at Kraalbaai
Kraalbaai, West Coast National Park is a slice of tropical heaven with white-sand stretches. Imagine palm trees, ocean horizons that go on forever and turquoise waters. Kraalbaai is a part of Zone A of the Langebaan Nature Reserve and it offers a unique experience to the rest of the coastline.
Some activities you can enjoy here include:
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Boating
- Swimming
3. See the Wildflowers of Postberg
Put together a delicious picnic and head over to Postberg for a day of watching the tides of the ocean from the colourful mountaintop. Postberg is a picturesque area to enjoy plenty of vibrant flowers (which bloom during August and September).
It is also a prime game-viewing location, so pack your binoculars and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
4. Admire the Rock Formations at Preekstoel
This hidden gem is a pristine patch of quiet beach area that will have you feeling as if you’ve arrived in paradise. The calm waters are aquamarine in colour and the serenity of the beach is unmatched.
You will find some of the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous rock formations on this beach, including some that stick out from the lapping ocean waters.
5. Take in the View at Tsaarsbank
One of the best places to set up and have a braai on the West Coast is at Tsaarsbank. Spending your afternoon enjoying the views of this beautiful area provides a rugged perspective of the surrounding beaches.
The white-sand shorelines and pristine coastal landscape make this a magical hangout.
6. Bob on the Waters in a Houseboat
When it comes to exciting west coast national park accommodation options, nothing quite beats a houseboat. You can glide past the lush vegetation and even enjoy whale watching right from your patio.
Style and luxury come together to bring you a truly special way of exploring this famous area on the West Coast of South Africa.
7. Enjoy A Two-day Hike on Eve’s Trail
If you love working up a sweat and hiking through mesmerizingly beautiful and historic nature, then this is the trail for you. Eve’s Trail is a famously scenic trail that leads through 30kms of the West Coast National Park, South Africa.
Legend has it that this trail follows the footsteps Eve, a woman who lived over 100 000 years ago. It starts at Duinepos and ends at Seeberg, the highest point in the park.
This is also a fantastic chance to enjoy the West Coast National Park’s camping experience and nights spent around the fire.
8. Go Mountain Biking
The nature reserve is home to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural formations and landscapes. Each of these unique places of beauty is found throughout the park, and one of the best ways to enjoy them is by mountain biking.
The mountain trails are full of wonder and will guide you to some of the most spectacular parts of the West Coast.
9. Learn More About the West Coast at the Geelbek Visitor’s Centre
Soak up some new knowledge at the Geelbek Visitor’s Center – a quaint, white building set in the park.
Here, you can learn all about the cultural history of the park and discover more about Eve’s footprints. You can also gain insight into the park’s diverse fauna and flora.
10. Watch the Sunset at Seeberg Viewing Point
Watch the sky come alive with colours that flicker over the Atlantic ocean at the Seeberg Viewing Point.
You will see that flying on a plane with Flysafair is not the only way to get a memorable view of Cape Town. Here, you will also get a chance to enjoy all of the city’s most significant sights, such as Table Mountain and the Cederberg mountains.
Final Thoughts on The West Coast
A journey to the West Coast National Park will be full to the brim with adventure, bountiful nature, varieties of mesmerizing animals and untamed landscapes. It is sure to be a trip you will never forget.
There are plenty of things to see and do while you visit! We hope that our list of the best things to do on this National Park on the West Coast will inspire you to have a unique travel experience.