The Cape West Coast (Weskus) is a place so awe-inspiring, so jaw-droppingly beautiful, and so magical, you would need weeks to take it all in. Stretching from Malmesbury, just outside of Cape Town, to the border of the Northern Cape at Touws River, the Cape West Coast is best known for its beautiful beaches and the quaint, seaside towns that populate the region.
Town such as Langebaan, Lambert’s Bay, Paternoster and Saldanha have all become a home-away-from-home for many Western Cape locals and are havens for those looking to escape the city.
Running for more than 100 years, the Darling Wildflower Show is a celebration of the local biome of flora that form an integral part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The Flower Show offers something for the whole family with a craft and gourmet food market, a tractor and car display, a free tractor ride to the wetland at Oude Post, live entertainment and much more.
The Cape West Coast spans a total distance of 400km. The area offers diverse scenery from calm turquoise ocean, magnificent sand dunes to incredible sand stone rock formations. The best way to get around is by car.
Langebaan, a small coastal town just north of the West Coast National Park, is a central starting point to explore the region and is only about an hour and a half drive from Cape Town.
The West Coast coastline is nothing short of picturesque. You won't know if you're really in South Africa or actually on a Greek island. Definitely enjoy the white beaches and turquoise waters, but be sure to also venture inland.
Head to the Cederberg Wilderness Area, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The area is famed for its towering sandstone rock formations, panoramic vistas and fynbos. Stay for a couple of nights (either in cottages or the campsite) and be mesmerised by the starry sky.
The Cederberg Wilderness Area is also a famous rock climbing and hiking destination.
Cape West Coast (Weskus) Towns
Garden Route and Klein Karoo
One of the most beautiful, diverse and awe-inspiring regions in the country, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo is also one of the most-loved road trips to embark on.
Cape West Coast
Turquoise waters surrounded by wheat fields and wild flowers – idyllic isn't it? Escape to nature accompanied by some good old fashioned West Coast hospitality.
Yzerfontein
The seaside village of Yzerfontein lies 85km north of Cape Town on the R27. Snuggled between Cape Town and Langebaan, Yzerfontein is the perfect base from which to explore the many attractions of the Cape West Coast.
Moorreesburg
The “bread basket” of the Cape West Coast, Moorreesburg is loved as much for its wheat as it is for its wonderful friendly people.
Paternoster
90 minutes drive north from Cape Town on the Cape West Coast lies the perfect weekend getaway amongst fynbos, pristine beaches and turquoise waters.
Langebaan
Aptly referred to as the 'Jewel of the Cape West Coast', the picturesque town of Langebaan hugs the shores of the Langebaan Lagoon.
Hopefield
Hopefield is the oldest town on the Cape West Coast and was founded on the banks of the Zoute River in 1853.
Darling
There’s always something exciting happening in the vibrant small town of Darling. Although known traditionally for the amazing beauty of the spring wildflowers during the Cape West Coast wildflower season, this town has so much more to offer you.
Jacobsbaai
Situated halfway between Vredenburg and Saldanha Bay, Jacobsbaai is an isolated, traditional Cape West Coast village with rocky and sandy bays, cosy beaches and lime-washed houses.
Lutzville
The welcoming town of Lutzville is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean on the Cape West Coast and inland by the Olifants River.
Klawer
Klawer is a tranquil, beautiful little Cape West Coast town, which lies on the banks of the Olifants River and is nestled in amongst the Matzikamma Mountains.
Cape West Coast (Weskus) itineraries
ROADTRIP: 6 days in the West Coast
The Cape West Coast (Weskus) is a place so diverse in beauty, it carries a sense of magic. Best known for its beautiful beaches and quaint seaside towns, it’s also boasts notable flora and fauna, along with incredible hikes and trails through rocky terrains.
Weskus Itinerary: Tourism Month
COASTAL JOURNEY: Discover the Cradle of Human Culture
Take a 7-day journey down the coast, exploring the origins and development of human culture over the past 160 000 years. Uncover what it means to be human, in the Western Cape.
Cape West Coast (Weskus) Blogs
Sensing the Cape West Coast
How to fully immerse yourself in the Cape West Coast.
Nature Reserves | West Coast
The Cape West Coast (Weskus) is a place so awe-inspiring, so jaw-droppingly beautiful, and so magical, you would need weeks to take it all in. Stretching from Malmesbury, just o...
Weskus Surf Safari
Top attractions in Cape West Coast (Weskus)
Rocklands Bouldering in the Cederberg Wilderness Area
The Cederberg is known for its harsh rocky outcrops and the Rocklands Climbing area is a tick-box for any active climber – rookie or veteran – looking to test his skills. Originally developed in 2005 by a team of Austrians, which included famous climber Klem Loskot, it offers a huge range and variety of bouldering including Girl on my Mind 6C, Minky 7B, Black Velvet 8A, Gliding Through The Waves Like Dophins 8A+, Ray of Light 8B and Witness the sickness 8A.
Darling Breweries
Heading up the craft beer movement in Cape Town and the Western Cape Darling Breweries, taking their name from the small West Coast town they are based in. Famous not only for their flavour but also their distinctive large bottles and beautifully designed labels, names like Bone Crusher, Pixie Dust, Rooi Bok and Long Claw are as much a part of the cultural lexicon now as Umngqusho and mielie pap.
Cape West Coast Flowers
The Cape West Coast is known for many things - its pristine beaches, quaint seaside towns and rich cultural history among them – but come spring time, it plays host to the greatest flower show on earth as the areas natural wild flowers begin to bloom. Come August/September the West Coast is generally in full bloom and visitors from around the world flock to the region to catch the show.
West Coast Fossil Park
The park has one of the world’s richest concentration of fossils dating back to the early Pliocene era some five million years ago, and its recent refurbishment has only added to what is on offer here.
