Have you ever wanted to go back in time to a more peaceful and laid back moment? Well, now you can!
Elands Bay is a small town on the West Coast of South Africa that has managed to maintain the laid-back lifestyle for which the West Coast is so renowned. It is like stepping back into the past. Relaxation is paramount!
Only 220 km from Cape Town, Elands Bay is the perfect place to relax, de-stress and completely unwind with peaceful surroundings and an endless white sandy beach. This seaside resort has remained true to its West Coast identity and is still virtually untouched! It is completely off the beaten track and may be a bit more difficult to get to than some seaside resorts, but for adventurous travellers this modest seaside town is well worth the journey. The roads do tend to be a bit dilapidated as you head closer to Eland’s Bay with a bumpy dirt road detour to contend with at the end – but this is all part of its charm!
It is a nature lover’s paradise – and a favourite haunt for surfers, seafood connoisseurs and birdwatchers.
It may be a sleepy seaside town, but it has a lot going for it! Elands Bay is a world-renowned surfing and sail boarding location with the perfect left point producing world-class waves. These sought after left-breaking waves have caused the town to be touted as much like Jeffrey’s Bay only without the crowds!
It is also a crayfish and snoek mecca with galjoen and hotnotvis aplenty - an anglers dream! There are also plenty of crayfish and in season, providing you have a licence, you can dive for crayfish. Slap them on a traditional “South Africa Braai” and you might think you have gone to heaven!
The long beautiful unspoilt beaches are perfect for swimming, walking and relaxing, while the Verlorenvlei flows into the Atlantic Ocean at Elands Bay (Elandsbaai) is a haven for about 240 bird species making it a birdwatchers paradise. It is one of the biggest estuaries on the Cape West Coast with thousands of birds including flamingos and pelicans. Bring your binoculars! Rock art can be found in the spectacular formations of Baboon Point in the vicinity of the town and have produced valuable archaeological finds from the different inhabitants over the ages. It is debated locally whether these caves will be declared a national heritage. But, come in springtime and there is an explosion of flowers changing the area into a hidden “Eden” - Namaqualand Daisies, perennial herbs, aloes, lilies and a host of other species create a tapestry of indigenous flowers which are unparalleled anywhere!
The town has the Elands Bay Hotel, which truly completes your time travel experience, but has a great bar that is active in the evenings and is often filled with the locals. There are great self catering options available behind the hotel and there are some good guest houses in the area.
From Elands Bay there are easy day trips to the nearby towns of Lamberts Bay, Clanwilliam and Veldrift. Lamberts Bay is a traditional fishing village where you can still find unspoilt beaches and experience the lives of the friendly local people. It provides some of the best bird watching in the Western Cape and you can also watch Southern Right whales from June to November – which is truly special! Clanwilliam is situated at the foot of the mighty Cederberg mountain range and has lots to offer, namely the beauty of the mountains, rock art, bird-watching, lots of historical buildings, the scenic beauty of the flowers (in season), as well as watersports.
But whatever you do, don’t leave without having a "Seafood Experience" at Muisboskerm - the open air restaurant located right on the shore, unique to the West Coast – a local favourite - and an essential West Coast experience.
With so much to do, you will have to make sure you schedule time in for your afternoon siesta!
Go on, make Elands Bay your West Coast village stop!
For more information contact African Sands