Jacobsbaai Cape West Coast South Africa
Jacobsbaai & the Cape West Coast
Jacobsbaai is a picturesque seaside village with quaint buildings with whitewashed walls and thatched roofs, set against the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. It is a seafood lover’s paradise with an abundance of delicacies like Crayfish, Galjoen (South Africa’s National fish), Kabeljou, Cape Hottentot, White Steenbras and Black Mussels. Fresh Crayfish can be found in season, normally from November to January.Buy fresh fish from the fishing boats on the beach as they arrive back with their morning’s catch or enjoy a meal at the local Weskusplek Restaurant.
Some must-sees in the area include the Rocherpan Nature Reserve near Velddrift, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and the Columbine Lighthouse at Paternoster, the West Coast National Park and the Fossil Park at Langebaan – all offering an insight in the natural history of this area.
Sometimes referred to as “Namaqualand by the sea”, the display of wild flowers is spectacular in a good year. Experience flower season from August to October when carpets of flowers cover the veld every year. The area is a botanist’s dream with more than 1200 indigenous plants.
Wildlife such as Cape Fur Seals, small African Wild Cat, Duiker, Grysbok and Steenbok are common sightings in Jacobsbaai and it is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 200 species of birds, including many shoreline birds, as well as the Spotted Eagle and Cape Eagle Owl. Between March and November, Whales and Dolphins are regular visitors to the bays of Jacobsbaai.
The area offers spectacular hiking along the scenic coastline. Short hiking trails hug the coastline, for the more adventurous the 25 km hiking trail between Swartriet and Tietiesbaai is a good option to satisfy your curiosity of the equally gorgeous surrounding bays.
Golf, sailing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, horse riding, organised boat trips and romantic sunset cruises can be arranged. Other activities in the area include windsurfing, sailing and canoeing.
