Langebaan’s laid-back beach lifestyle, water sports and unspoilt nature make it an ideal destination for holidaymakers and permanent residents.
Spilling along the shores from glorious Langebaan Lagoon into wide Saldanha Bay, the little West Coast town of Langebaan is a favourite weekend and holiday destination for Capetonians and overseas visitors. Only an hour’s drive from the city, the laid-back beach lifestyle, the water sports and unspoilt nature make it an ideal getaway. While second homes and holiday accommodation are plentiful, there’s also a growing community of people who move to the area for the enviable lifestyle.
“I love walks on the beach with my dogs, or sitting on my balcony having a cup of co¬ffee in the mornings and looking over the lagoon,” says Cindy Lotz, of Delight Bath Essentials. “Wildlife actually walks freely between houses at night and during the day. Everything you need is right here and you still have the small-town feeling.”
Permanent residents enjoy the changes between the seasons. “I love the diversity of nature,” says Sanet Viljoen, Le Mahi Guesthouse. “In winter, the crisp clear days are a delight for taking photos, with the most amazing sunsets and cosy nights in front of a fireplace. In spring, there’s an abundance of greenery and a variety of flowers. In summer, the winds blow all the spider webs away from your head as you walk on the beach.”
Kitesurfers come from all over the world to take advantage of the summer winds, colouring the sky and providing a spectacle with their acrobatics. And there’s every type of water sport on offer, from windsurfing to water-skiing, jet-skiing, kayaking and sailing, with sections of the bay and lagoon designated for the various activities, so that birdwatchers and peace-seekers can escape the noise from the powerboats.
Beautiful Shark Bay, overlooking the lagoon, is a favourite swimming spot for locals. Visitors can also venture deeper into the West Coast National Park to enjoy a deserted beach where they can have picnics while the kids play safely in the shallow waters. There are plenty of mountain biking and hiking trails to explore inland among the fynbos, you can play golf or tennis, go deep-sea fishing, or just stroll along the beach to one of the many casual seafood restaurants and bars. The Langebaan Country Estate is home to the West Coast’s only 18-hole Gary Player Design’s Black Knight golf course, and also o¬ffers great holiday accommodation options.
“It’s a friendly town with lovely little shops to stroll around, three very good private schools that indicate that a lot of young families are living here, and a lovely retirement village one block from the beach,” says Sanet.
Being an ex-Gautenger, I love to be by the sea. Langebaan is perfect, pretty, with caring people, peaceful and quiet. We do get very busy during season, but the peace and quiet after the holidays always makes up for it.
-Cindy Lotz, Delight Bath Essentials.
Where to eat in Langebaan:
- Friday Island: for fresh pub grub overlooking the beach
- Marc’s Beach Bar at Club Mykonos: for burgers, pizzas, seafood and cocktails
- Pearly’s On the Beach Restaurant: for tasty seafood and ocean views
- Kokomo Beach Bar and Restaurant: for delicious bistro food
- Die Strandloper: for seafood feasts on the beach
- White Sands Restaurant at Club Mykonos: for an unforgettable dining experience.
Things to do in Langebaan:
- Visit the West Coast Fossil Park for fossil tours and mountain bike trails.
- Enjoy picnics, flowers, wildlife and unspoilt beaches at the West Coast National Park.
- Go kitesurfing, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing on the lagoon.
- Take the family to Sunny Park for kids’ waterslides, go-karts, trampolines and putt-putt.
- Hire boats and Jet Skis from the Club Mykonos Marina.
- Play a round of golf at the Langebaan Country Estate.
Where to stay in Langebaan:
- Langebaan Country Estate
- The Farmhouse Hotel
- Alabaster Box B&B
- Sunbird View
- Club Mykonos Resort
- Thali Thali Game Lodge
Estate agent commentary on Langebaan:
What can Langebaan offer potential buyers, renters and holidaymakers in terms of lifestyle?
There are a variety of properties available for buyers and renters, from new developments, single room lets, vacant stands, smallholdings, golf and security estates, to high-end homes, including luxury beachfront properties. Holidaymakers and residents can expect to have a fantastic time whether enjoying water sports on the lagoon, trying their luck at the casino, horse riding, visiting the West Coast National Park, the vibrant restaurants and bars, or just relaxing on one of the many beaches.
Freek Botha, Freek Properties.
Why we love Laguna Mall:
As Langebaan’s go-to mall for everyday essentials, Laguna Mall is situated at the Club Mykonos end of town, set back from the beach but within walking distance, and ideal for visitors in self-catering accommodation in the area. Pick n Pay has been the mall's long-standing anchor tenant and will soon be joined by new Checkers and Woolworths stores, opening in November, followed by Ackermans and Pep, opening in December, as well as several other new retail outlets. There’s a wide selection of smaller stores providing everything from homeware and jewellery, to beauty services and electronics. This is a relaxed family mall with a spacious single-storey layout and plenty of parking.
Find out more at www.lagunamall.co.za.
View the widest selection of property for sale in Langebaan on Private Property
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
