Saldanha Bay Municipality is situated about 140km north from Cape Town. It forms part of the West Coast District Municipality and consists of six towns: Vredenburg, Saldanha, Langebaan, Hopefield, Paternoster and St Helena Bay.
The beautiful Saldanha Bay, home to the country’s largest natural deep-water port, abounds with fish and bird life.
It was this promise of safe anchorage and natural bounty that caught the attention of European seafarers such as António de Saldanha, a Portuguese captain who visited here in 1503 and after whom the bay was named.
Mainly due to it’s arid climate, urban development has for many decades been slow. Until fairly recently, fishing and agriculture had been the main stay of the area. In the 1970’s two developments happened that set the wheels in motion for the advancement of industrial development: the building of the Marcus Island causeway and Transnet’s iron ore export terminal.
The Sishen-Saldanha train line was constructed for the export of iron ore mined at Sishen in the Northern Cape. The trains that transport the hundreds of tonnes of iron ore are the longest in the world, some up to 4km long.
However, it was the construction of Yskor’s steel smelter, Saldanha Steel, that really fast tracked urban development in the area. Government identified the area as an economic growth node and is currently funding a study to look into the feasibility of establishing an industrial development zone here. Known for strong southeaster and northwestern winds, depending on the time of year, it has also attracted the attention of several wind farm developments.
Saldanha Bay area is definitely no longer a backwoods area. It has developed into an up and happening area with exciting possibilities. Being almost free of traffic congestion and considered fairly safe with regard to crime, it is a great place to live, relax and grow old.
Popular annual events include the Rapport Mykonos Music Festival, Langebaan Downwind Dash and West Coast National Park Marathon
Attractions: West Coast National Park, West Coast Fossil Park, Langebaan, Club Mykonos Resort and Casino, Laguna Mall, West Coast Mall and Cape Columbine Nature Reserve
West Coast National Park
The West Coast National Park surrounds the Langebaan lagoon, a wetland area of international importance because of the bountiful and varied bird life. Well-known for the wonderful floral displays in August and early September, other gems include archeological finds such as Eve’s footsteps (117 000 years old), fossil remains and the historic Geelbek Farm Restaurant and the Duinepos Chalets. The park is located adjacent to the R27 (West Coast Road) about 120km from Cape Town.
West Coast Fossil Park
The park is located on the site of Samancor’s old Chemfos phosphate mine near the Langebaanweg Air Force Base. It is world-renowned for it’s well preserved fossils of African bears, short-necked giraffe’s and sabre-tooth cats from the Mio-pliocene era (circa. 5.2 million years ago). Things to do: visit the exhibition, do a daily tours to the excavation site and explore one of the mountain biking trails.
Langebaan
The azure blue Langebaan lagoon is a favourite among water sport enthusiasts, of late especially kite and wind surfers. Two international angling competitions have been hosted here and annually in December the town is abuzz with visitors and tourists.
Club Mykonos Resort and Casino
Built to resemble its namesake in Greece, quaint Club Mykonos Resort and Casino is a favourite hangout for locals and visitors alike. It is located a few kilometres north of Langebaan.
Laguna Mall and West Coast Mall
The Laguna Mall is Saldanha Bay’s first mall. It is located just outside the Club Mykonos Resort and offers a safe shopping haven for those windy days. The West Coast Mall is located just outside Vredenburg, the area’s main town. Both malls reflect aspects of the West Coast in their decor.
Cape Columbine Nature Reserve
Home to writer Pieter Pieterse’s Tietiesbaai-resort, this has been a favourite hide-away for generations of campers. Under the watchful eye of the Columbine light house campers can angle, mountain bike, hike or just relax around a braai. To get to the reserve the visitor has to pass through the quiet fishing village of Paternoster, today quite geared for the tourist trade with a variety of places to eat, art galleries and handycraft shops.