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Wet and wild West Coast adventures
Langebaan's watersports
The Langebaan lagoon is a watersports mecca.
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
Langebaan once housed the biggest whaling station in the southern hemisphere.
Langebaan is a small seaside village on the West Coast of South Africa. It is dominated by the Langebaan lagoon, which, with its strong side-shore summer winds, has become something of a South African watersports mecca.
The flat water is particularly well-suited to windsurfing and kite-surfing, with the lagoon-side operator, Cape Sports Centre, providing all the necessary equipment as well as lessons if you're just starting out. Experienced windsurfers will be especially impressed with the high-speed, flat water conditions the lagoon offers.
If you've always wanted to try your hand at sea kayaking but have been put off by the thought of braving rough surf then the placid lagoon is the perfect place to perfect your technique, while the surrounding waters will allow you to enjoy encounters with some curious locals, including resident seals and penguins.
In fact, Langebaan Lagoon and its adjoining inter-tidal sandflats, salt marshes and islands feature prolific birdlife, including flamingos, rare oystercatchers and thousands of waders in summer.
Other popular lagoon watersports include stand-up paddling, bodysurfing, water-skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing. For something completely different you can also try hobie sailing. Drum Africa, located on the shore, offers charters around the lagoon in 14ft, 16ft and 18ft hobie catamarans.
Of course, you could also just laze away your days on the glorious beach and watch all the action from there.
Langebaan Lagoon forms part of the West Coast National Park which offers mountain biking, game viewing and, between July and September when the region bursts into colour with blooming wild flowers, a variety of floral tours.
This part of the coast also boasts fantastic whale watching in season (June to November) and dolphin sightings are common. Be sure to also seek out Eve's Footprints, a set of fossilised footprints on the lagoon shore that are believed to be more than 117 000 years old.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
How to get here
Fly directly from any of South Africa’s major cities to Cape Town. From Cape Town, travel north up the West Coast to Langebaan, about an hour's drive.
Around the area
West Coast Fossil Park, Bird Island Nature Reserve, the beaches of Paternoster and Yzerfontein.
Tours to do
Flower tours between July and September, Langebaan lagoon cruises, whale watching tours between June and November.
What to pack
Plenty of sunscreen and a hat. Any watersport equipment you may need, though most equipment is also available to hire.
Where to stay
The Langebaan area is teeming with cosy B&Bs, charming guesthouses and luxurious hotels.
What to eat
The seafood in Langebaan is excellent. Pick from any one of the many beachfront restaurants to enjoy seafood West Coast-style, including delicious crayfish.
What's happening
The Cape West Coast Peninsula Rainbow Flower Celebration takes place from July to September across the region, with special events and tours dedicated to the wild flower season.