Langebaan Lagoon (Shutterstock)
Langebaan may be the only seaside holiday town in South Africa where visitors get excited when the afternoon winds pick up. In this peaceful spot on the West Coast, people don’t look for shelter or sigh deeply when the white sands of the main beach start ruffling. Instead, they don their wetsuits and take to the waters of the renowned Langebaan Lagoon, a massive expanse of water stretching in front of town, cornered in by the mountains across the way.
The lagoon is one of the most popular places in South Africa for kite and wind surfing, but late afternoon isn’t the only time to enjoy its calm waters and white sandy beaches. In the morning, before the signature winds pick up, Langebaan is a place for basking on the beach, swimming, and cruising on boat cruises, house boats, and even speed boats.
Langebaan is a water lover’s paradise and the town’s unpretentious nature welcomes people from all over to come and stay in its large, seafront houses and hotels. After long days spent at the beach and on the water, there are many seafood restaurants to choose from to fill up on calamari, hake, sushi, and fresh catches of the day for dinner.
This mini guide will give you an idea of where to start to make the most of your seaside break.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
You don’t have to be a pro to enjoy the safe, windy waters of the lagoon by kitesurfing or windsurfing. These companies below will take in any level of experience and give you a holiday to remember. Already a pro? Walk over and rent the gear you need for an epic afternoon in the water.
Cape Sports Centre: These guys are situated right on the beach and you can fully immerse yourself in the watersport culture by booking a room with them as well. Have a beer on the rooftop bar to celebrate and unwind while watching the sunset in the distance.
- Kitesurfing: R2650pp for a beginner’s course including all equipment (10 hours)
- Windsurfing: From R600pp with beginner’s equipment (2 hours)
- Kayaking: R250pp for two hours
Windtown South Africa: Offering slightly more luxurious accommodation and a great restaurant to enjoy your meals at, Windtown is geared for all different levels of experience.
- Kitesurfing: R1700pp for a two-day beginner’s course
- Windsurfing: R1400pp for a two-day beginner’s course
Siren Kite Boarding School: You also have a choice of sleeping in a dorm or a double room onsite and the coffee shop downstairs offers free Wi-Fi so that you can catch up with friends and family at home.
- Kite surfing: R2800pp for two-day beginner’s course (10 hours)
Boat cruises
Cruise around on the lagoon in style on a charter yacht, enjoying the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. Cruises depart from the vibrant Club Mykonos, taking you to Schaapen Island, suspended in the middle of the lagoon or the Langebaan Yacht Club (both R295pp). A sundowner or breakfast trip to the beautiful Shark Bay will show you a different side of the lagoon (R295pp), but the trips to Kraal Bay are definitely the most memorable. This beautiful bay is almost deserted and situated inside the pristine West Coast National Park (R450pp). Spend the night on board to make the most of this memorable cruise.
Beaches
A swimmer at Pearly’s beach (Jim Sher/flickr)
There’s nothing like a day of beach lazing and a few dips in the refreshing lagoon waters to cool you down. Langebaan’s main beach is the most popular, but it can become overrun with kite and wind surfers during the late afternoon. It is, however, a good idea to visit the beaches in the morning, before the wind picks up. Locals call the main beach Pearly’s Beach because of a popular seafood restaurant on the beachfront with the same name, a great place for a lunch stop.
For a quieter beach experience, head south from the main beach for 20 minutes on foot until you reach Sandbaai, a narrow strip of sand next to the yacht club. Heading north from the main beach, you’ll find Calypso Beach in a peaceful, wealthy residential area. The great thing about this particular beach is the large parking area just across the road. You’ll be glad to know that parking in Langebaan is free of charge.
Hobie Beach is the last one you’ll find before reaching Club Mykonos, the northernmost point of Langebaan. This is where Beach Bar is located, a popular restaurant and bar area open late into the twilight. This makes it the perfect spot for sundowners or late nights under the stars.
Now that you know where to go to make the most of the waters and beaches of Langebaan, you can book your accommodation and start planning your trip. The town is just over an hour from Cape Town, making it the perfect weekend break destination for the entire family.
