The inconsequential west coast of South Africa, in Afrikaans called the Weskus, is the area north of Cape Town from Ganzekraal (about 50 Km north of Cape Town) to Strandfontein (about 40 Km north of Langebaan) This area is know for its fishing villages. And, it is a well known fishing area where snoek, mussels and crayfish are among the popular species found in the area..

The West Coast is also a popular holiday destination. Langebaan is one of the most popular water sport destinations in South Africa. Also found in Langebaan is the well know Club Mykanos. Travelling up the West Coast from Cape Town on the R27, through Milnerton, and Bloubergstrand, the first recommended stop would be Yzerfontein, a small holiday and fishing village. There is a deserted beach ideal for suntanning and surfing. The town of Darling is best known for its amazing Wild Flower and Orchid Show in September. The Darling Flora Reserve and the Darling Tienie Versveld Flora Reserve are both worth visiting.

Hopefield is a quiet little town is in the centre of the fynbos area. The Postberg section of the West Coast National Park is recommended for visitors (open during the flower season). Take the road around the lagoon, to Langebaan. The lagoon is the focal point of this magnificent wilderness and wet-land area and of the growing West Coast tourist industry - the bird life here is a delight. On the northern side of the lagoon is one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Saldanha Bay.

Vredenburg is the business centre of the area. The small fishing village of Paternoster (Cape Columbine) has a beautiful, long, deserted and breath-taking beach to offer. Around the corner is St Helena Bay which was discovered by Vasco da Gama in 1497.

Further north, the vast Velddrif is situated at the mouth of the Berg River, and the estuary attracts large numbers of flamingos, spoonbills, avocets and glossy ibis. The Rocher Pan Nature Reserve near Dwarskersbos is a must for bird watchers who really want a perfect view!

Salt of the earth residents make the area from Ganzekraal to Strandfontein their home, where the one of a kind snoek, mussels and crayfish are a way of life and ‘bokkoms’ (salted mullet strung up in bunches and left to dry) is the local delicacy. Route 27 is a seafood mecca and a number of open-air beach restaurants offer unsurpassed seafood fresh from the sea, cooked on open fires whilst you watch the sun sink slowly over the sea.

Just outside of Cape Town, the little town of Darling deserves a stop, especially in September for its Wild Flower and Orchid show and for its locally produced wines.

A little further up the coast, the West Coast National Park is the closest spot outside of Cape Town where one can sample the spring flower season. The  Fossil Park, which lies just next door to the park, has uncovered 200 different kinds of animals, many of them new to science.

Parallel to the R27, the N7 passes through the Swartland to the equally beautiful towns of Citrusdal and Clanwilliam. Take a detour to the perplexing Ceres and travel from here to Citrusdal along the Gydo Pass. Just after you pass over the Koue Bokkeveld Mountains you reach the Koue Bokkeveld, a valley famous for its red apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots and unpretentious hospitality.

The Cederberg Wilderness, with its enormous 71 000 hectares of mountainous terrain that runs almost north to south from Clanwilliam to Citrusdal, is renowned for its stark, rugged beauty, whilst gentle walks in the Cederberg when spring transforms the landscape into a carpet of yellow, orange and purple, will not fail to bring you closer to the natural rhythms of a world where fynbos, succulents and wide open skies couldn’t be more remote from city living.

The peculiar name 'Saldanha Bay' is originally applied to the present Table Bay, where Antonio de Saldanha, a Portuguese admiral anchored his fleet in 1503. Ironically he never saw the bay that was named after him, since by some navigational error, the name Saldanha Bay was applied to its present position by Joris von Spilbergen. During the Second World War Saldanha Bay was very important because of its strategic location and safe anchorage as a convoy assembly point. Today Saldanha has a huge iron ore quay and is home to a large variety of astonishing fishing vessels.

The perplexing Saldanha Bay is the largest natural bay in South Africa: it offers a paradise for water sport enthusiasts. Its sheltered harbour plays an important part in the huge Sishen-Saldanha iron ore project at which Saldanha Steel, a state of the art steel mill, takes centre stage. The town is not only important for export but also hosts many other bankable industries, for example, crayfish, fish, mussels, oysters, seaweed and many more..

Saldanha is also the location of the South African Military Academy as well as SAS SALDANHA, a naval training unit. The must-travel things to see in Saldanha include the French Huguenot Memorial, Doc's Cave, the Breakwater and Cummings Grave. The breakwater was built in 1976 and is 1,8 km long. It connects the main land with Marcus Island. There are also hiking trails for the nature lover at Oranjevlei and at the SAS Saldanha Naval Base. Furthermore, boat trips to the islands in the bay, as well as fishing trips, can be organised (weather permitting).