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A Guide to West Coast National Park, South Africa’s Azure Paradise
Nestled deep in the Western Cape province of South Africa is the West Coast National Park, a truly breathtaking natural reserve. With fields of flowers, a great number of unique animal species and ecosystems, and a lagoon with tons of fun activities to do, it’s a spot you can’t miss.
My family used to take me there all the time during the summer, so I know just how wonderful a day at this park can be. If you’re looking to do the same with your family or friends, here’s all you need to know.
The History of West Coast National Park
The West Coast Natural Park, located north of Cape Town, is an inland nature reserve centred around the Langebaan Lagoon. Surrounding the lagoon are green wetlands and flower fields just around Postberg, home to a quarter of the total bird population in South Africa.
The Langebaan Lagoon was proclaimed to be a marine reserve in 1973, with concerns over its condition leading to it being declared a natural reserve just three years later.
In 1985, the Langebaan National Park was created to protect the lagoon and regulate its visitations from locals and tourists.
Two years later, 1,800 acres of land surrounding the Langebaan lagoon were included in the protection, and its name was changed to the West Coast National Park.
Things to Know
Location: 98 km north of Cape Town
Accessibility: The West Coast National Park has an extensive list of accommodations for people with disabilities, such as wheelchair-accessible bird hides, bathrooms, and chalets. In addition to this, there will be employees at the Postberg Flower Reserve and the lagoon beaches ready to escort wheelchair users along the premises.
Rules and restrictions: The West Coast National Parks observe the same rules and regulations as all national parks in South Africa, as mandated by the South African National Parks government body. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- You’re required to sign a document that indemnifies SANParks from any liability made against them.
- You’re required to provide valid identification upon visiting parks.
- Conservation fees must be paid for every day/night that one stays in the park.
- You’re required to stay in your vehicle during safaris.
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
- Feeding of wildlife is strictly prohibited.
- Removal of any plant, animal, or other such wildlife from the premises is strictly prohibited.
- No pets are allowed at the park.
How to Get There
By car: There are car parks near the area, specifically near the picnic area, the street outside the park, and alongside the Kraalbai beach.
By taxi/train: From Cape Town, you can ride the CT train to Abbotsdale. From Abbotsdale, taxi services can take you directly to the West Coast National Park.
By bus/shuttle: From Cape Town, you can take a bus to Langebaan. Langebaan has shuttles provided by companies such as Viator that will take you to the park.
There are also private, guided bus tours offered by companies such as GetYourGuide that can bring you directly into the park.
What to Do in West Coast National Park
Have a relaxing beach day at the Kraalbai Beach
Media from: bothaelmien
Price: R74 for adults (12 and up), R37 for children
The Langebaan Lagoon is the star of the show at the park, and it’s best experienced through the Kraalbai Beach. A serene, shimmering white sand beach with stunningly blue waters, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, picnics, and water sports.
I’ve had many great times at Kraalbai Beach, from playing and building sandcastles as a kid to just relaxing and swimming when I was there recently.
The beach has designated areas, tables, and sheds to ensure that beach-goers will be comfortable. There are also kayak and fishing rentals for visitors who want to experience boating on the lagoon.
| Pro tip: For passionate swimmers, the Langebaan Swim Camp offers an intensive training regimen at the beach. You’ll have accommodations on a houseboat, and you can join marathon swims! |
Birdwatching at the Flower Fields
Media from: africanbirding
Price: R116 for adults, R58 for children. For international visitors, it will be R272 for adults and R136 for children.
Home to over 200 unique bird species, the West Coast National Park is a paradise for avid bird watchers. As an avid birdwatcher, I can tell you that Geelbek, the Abrahamskal Waterhole, and the Seeberg Viewpoint are all designated birdwatching spots that give you the best vantage point.
Some of the more distinctive and beautiful birds in the park include the black harrier and chestnut-banded plover. Right along the Kraalbai shores, I also saw an African penguin!
There are also guided birding tours offered by companies like Birding Ecotours for a more extensive birdwatching experience.
Another special way of observing the park’s flora and fauna is through a tour of the flower fields around the Postberg area of the park. With peak flower season during August and September, the park’s colourful flowers are great for picnics, picture-taking, and hiking.
| Pro tip: Whales usually pass through the park from August to September, and the park offers whale watching activities at the Tsaarsbank section! |
Water Sports
Media from: gravityadventures
Price: R530 for children, R800 for adults
With beautiful, clear waters and a comfy, warm Mediterranean climate, Kraalbai Beach is a great place for all sorts of water sports, like kayaking, wind sailing, surfing, and sailboat racing.
Divided into three zones, the beach has different facilities catering to a specific sport. Zone A is reserved for standard water sports such as kiteboarding, while Zone B is reserved exclusively for sailboats.
My most memorable water sport experience at Kraalbai Beach was going kiteboarding, which was such a big adrenaline rush!
Companies such as Gravity Adventures and River Kayaking also offer training and rentals for the sports and equipment required.
| Pro tip: Visit the beach in the early morning to get the best winds and waves for surfing! |
Explore the park with its guided hikes and trails
Media from: jason_friedrich_bunge
Price: R116 for adults and R58 for children
With a wide, extensive coverage of trails and mountains surrounding the lagoon, the West Coast National Park offers a selection of day walks and hiking trails through the area. You can experience and traverse the lush, natural beauty of the park from different areas such as Geelbek and Postberg.
The park’s most accessible hike is the short day walk through Geelbek, a 9 km trek through the dunes of the beach.
For a more extensive hiking experience, the Postberg Two-Day Hiking trip takes you on a journey through the Tsaarsbank beach and its surrounding forests. While this hike was tiring for me, I admired our guide’s dedication, and I got to see more of the park than I had before!
| Pro tip: While some hiking plans offer full amenities like water, basins, and toilets, some do not. Plan accordingly! |
