Strandfontein Accommodation

April 1, 2010 by admin  
Filed under West Coast

Accommodation in Strandfontein

Looking for for accommodation in Strandfontein? We have accommodation in all areas of Strandfontein, and by type of Strandfontein accommodation such as b&b, self catering, hotel and guest houses etc.

Please email us at marc @ travelsupermarket.co.za telling us what you are looking for and we will send you a complete list of the places to stay in Strandfontein matching your needs. We also list the direct contact details of each establishment so you can then choose the one you want and contact them directly.

Things to do in Strandfontein

Strandfontein is a small seaside village that has become a favourite tourist destination for whale watchers. During calving season Southern Right whales come right into the protection of the bay to have their babies and mother’s and their calves can be seen swimming in the bay daily. The town is also famous for it’s beautiful carpets of wild flowers from July to September – a real treat for anyone who can get to the town at this time. For those who enjoy their fishing, the abundance of crayfish and mussels in the area draw numerous anglers…just remember that you need to be licensed to do so. There are also a number of watersports available for those looking for something a little more active, and a number of tidal pools provide safe playgrounds for the youngsters. Quad biking, 4×4 trails, hiking and micro lighting are also all on offer in the area.

How to get to Strandfontein

The nearest airport to Strandfontein is Cape Town International Airport, situated approximately 360-kilometers away from the town. Hiring a car at the airport is quick and easy, and the journey to the town is fairly straightforward. When leaving the airport make sure you get onto the M5 Muizenburg road. This will take you all the way to the Ottery turn off where you proceed left. Ottery Road intersects with the M17 Strandfontein Road where you will turn right. From here the roads are sign-posted to direct you to wherever you wish to go in the town. If you feel unsure of driving yourself there, a taxi can be hired at the airport. This however can be quite costly. Some hotels and lodges may also provide a shuttle service from the airport.

History & general info about Strandfontein

The direct translation for the name Strandfontein is “fountain on the beach”. This small seaside village was so named as it was a primary location for the San and Khoisan to get their fresh water in years gone by – the coastal village literally had a fountain of fresh water on the beachfront. Strandfontein is situated close to the Olifants River and is a mere 345-kilometer drive from Cape Town.

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Saldanha Accommodation

April 1, 2010 by admin  
Filed under West Coast

Accommodation in Saldanha

Looking for for accommodation in Saldanha? We have accommodation in all areas of Saldanha, and by type of Saldanha accommodation such as b&b, self catering, hotel and guest houses etc.

Please email us at marc @ travelsupermarket.co.za telling us what you are looking for and we will send you a complete list of the places to stay in Saldanha matching your needs. We also list the direct contact details of each establishment so you can then choose the one you want and contact them directly.

Things to do in Saldanha

This small harbour town lies about 110 kilometers from Cape Town and is the country’s deepest and largest natural bay. Saldanha functions primarily as a fishing and exporting town, and the economy is driven by various ocean entities, including crayfish, mussels, oysters, fish and seaweed. The town is a particularly unspoilt part of the country and many come to view the abundant bird life and watch the cadet’s of the Naval training base and the South African Military Academy train. Ecotourism is particularly strong in the area and yachting and game fishing are very popular. The 5 islands and expansive ocean areas also promote kite surfing, skiing, deep sea diving and whale watching. The Saldanha Golf Course is another great attraction in the town.

How to get to Saldanha

The closest airport to Saldanha is Cape Town International Airport, situated approximately 149-kilometers outside the town. A car can be hired at the airport and directions are fairly straightforward. When leaving the airport, get onto the N2 towards Cape Town and then take the N7 Malmesbury off-ramp. Stay on this highway until you see the M17 to Melkbos and take this turn. Keep travelling toward Melkbos until you reach the R27 robot intersection. Turn right here and follow the R27 all the way to Veldrift, where you will come across an Engen petrol station. The second left turn after this station will take you into Saldanha.

History & general info about Saldanha

Saldanha sprang up as a small town around the best natural harbour along the African coast. Development was very slow at first as there was a major shortage of fresh water. To combat this, a pipeline was built to carry fresh water to the town from the Berg River. A breakwater was later also built to connect Malgas Island to the land. The harbour was now safe and soon a number of industries materialized. Iron ore became a major export, and major companies such as Saldanha Steel, Duferco and Namakwa Sands started calling the bay home. Large scale fishing companies such as Sea Harvest followed suit and provided jobs to a very large percentage of the local population. Today Saldanha houses a Naval Training Base as well as the South African Military Academy. There are also nature reserves in the area to preserve the natural beauty of the town, and the whale watching industry is a major tourist attraction.

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St. Helena Bay Accommodation

March 31, 2010 by admin  
Filed under West Coast

Accommodation in St. Helena Bay

Looking for for accommodation in St. Helena Bay? We have accommodation in all areas of St. Helena Bay, and by type of St. Helena Bay accommodation such as b&b, self catering, hotel and guest houses etc.

Please email us at marc @ travelsupermarket.co.za telling us what you are looking for and we will send you a complete list of the places to stay in St. Helena Bay matching your needs. We also list the direct contact details of each establishment so you can then choose the one you want and contact them directly.

Things to do in St. Helena Bay

St. Helena Bay is among the top fishing centres in the world and more than half of South Africa’s annual fish processing is done here. The cold Benguela current flows along the coastline and brings with it an abundance of sea life. As a result, winter sees the harbour bustling with fishermen and snoek being sold directly from the boats to the public. Springtime brings with it an abundance of wild flowers and tourists flock to the area to relax on the beaches and admire the view. Another major draw card for the town is the fact that August to November see’s the arrival of the Southern Right Whales who come here to calve. They are generally joined by a number of dolphins that reside along this coastline a lot of the year.

How to get to St. Helena Bay

The nearest airport to St. Helena Bay is Cape Town International Airport, situated approximately 150-kilometers away. When leaving the airport, follow the N2 to the Goodwood/Malmesbury (N7) offramp. Follow this road until you reach the “Melkbosstrand” sign where you turn left. This will take you to a robot intersection on the R27 where you turn right onto West Coast Road. If you’re happy to travel on a gravel road, this road will take you all the way to the St. Helena Bay offramp. If not, you can turn left when you get to the Vredenburg offramp and follow the signposts. Taxis and shuttles can also be used to get to the town, but can prove pricey. When booking your accommodation, it’s best to find out if they offer a free shuttle service from the airport.

History & general info about St. Helena Bay

St Helena Bay first became known to the western world when it was stumbled upon by Vasco Da Gama on the 7th of November 1497. He was on his maiden voyage from Europe to India and his stop at the island resulted in the first encounter between a European explorer and the local Khoikhoi people. The Khoi were nomadic sheep and cattle herders that ruled the area before the invasion by the Western world. Vasco Da Gama decided to name the area after Saint Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The bay grew from strength to strength and the major fishing village that it is today finally emerged and the town has used this “industry” to sustain itself ever since.

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Elandsbaai Accommodation

March 31, 2010 by admin  
Filed under West Coast

Accommodation in Elandsbaai

Looking for for accommodation in Elandsbaai? We have accommodation in all areas of Elandsbaai, and by type of Elandsbaai accommodation such as b&b, self catering, hotel and guest houses etc.

Please email us at marc @ travelsupermarket.co.za telling us what you are looking for and we will send you a complete list of the places to stay in Elandsbaai matching your needs. We also list the direct contact details of each establishment so you can then choose the one you want and contact them directly.

Things to do in Elandsbaai

Elandsbaai (also known as Eland’s Bay) is a mere 2-hour drive from the bustling city of Cape Town. It is, however, a far cry from the cosmopolitan environment of the Mother City. With very little building and development having occurred in the town, the major draw card to the area is the sand, the sea and the quiet. Holidaymakers tend to come here for a break from everyday life, and a chance to take in the views and watch wildlife at its best. The Verlorenvlei is a natural wetland that houses approximately 232 different types of birds. This estuary is one of the largest along the Cape West Coast and is a real treat for bird-lovers. Situated just outside the town, the road to get there isn’t in the best condition, but definitely worth a visit if possible. Other than the prolific bird life, whales and dolphins also attract a lot of attention in the town. Many people come to see the whales in calving season and the dolphins throughout the year. Although relaxation is the main attraction of the town, there are a couple of other options available for those wanting something a little more active. The beaches provide ideal surfing spots. The waves are often compared to those found at Jeffrey’s Bay, but without the crowds. If you’re in possession of a valid license, Cray fishing is also very popular amongst some visitors. Another great tourist attraction in the area is the Baboon Point cliffs, which include the Bobbejaanberg Cave. The cave is decorated with indigenous rock art and definitely warrants a visit.

How to get to Elandsbaai

The nearest airport to Elandsbaai is Cape Town International Airport, situated approximately 280-kilometers away from the town. When leaving Cape Town, get onto the N17, passing the towns of Moorreesburg and Piketberg. You will start seeing signs for Citrusdal – about 57-kilometers before the town you will find the turn-off to Clanwilliam where you need to go right. When you reach a T-Junction, turn left and continue on the R364 until you reach Lamberts Bay. When going through Lamberts Bay you will come to a gravel road – follow this road and it will take you into Elandsbaai.

History & general info about Elandsbaai

The Bobbejaanberg Cave at Elands Bay is one of South Africa’s most important archaeological sites. The indigenous art in the cave dates back over many, many years and tells story’s of people long past. More than 10 000 years worth of history can be found in the caves and the caves actually move in relation to the sea. While the caves can now be found right near the sea, in the past they were situated about 40 kilometers away. Baboon Point, where the caves are located, has been put forward as a national heritage site.

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Paternoster Accommodation

March 30, 2010 by admin  
Filed under West Coast

Accommodation in Paternoster

Looking for for accommodation in Paternoster? We have accommodation in all areas of Paternoster, and by type of Paternoster accommodation such as b&b, self catering, hotel and guest houses etc.

Please email us at marc @ travelsupermarket.co.za telling us what you are looking for and we will send you a complete list of the places to stay in Paternoster matching your needs. We also list the direct contact details of each establishment so you can then choose the one you want and contact them directly.

Things to do in Paternoster

Being only about 145 kilometers away from the Mother City, Paternoster is a favourite getaway destination for many Capetonians. The epic white beaches are a real treat for sunbathers, and whales and dolphins grace the shores for about 10 months of the year. The multitude of flowers that carpet the land just after the first spring rains also draw many tourists to the area. In addition to general sea creatures, the town boasts an incredible birding community. There are over 250 species that choose to use this small town as their breeding grounds and avid bird watchers are never at a loss for viewing pleasure. The area also has a massive crayfishing community that tourists regularly join in. the majority of the town’s activities centre around the ocean, and beach buggying, boating and fishing, diving, sea kayaking and spear fishing are all very popular. Mountain biking and hiking are also offered in and around Paternoster.

How to get to Paternoster

The closest airport to Paternoster is Cape Town International Airport, situated approximately 160-kilometers outside of the town. When leaving the airport, get onto the N2 to Cape Town. Follow this road until you can link onto the M7 Vanguard Drive. Once on the M7, you need to lookout for a sigh signaling the N7 Epping – take this and follow the road until you can turn onto the M19 Melkbosstrand road. You will eventually reach the R27 robot intersection where you need to turn right. Keep driving until you see a sign for Vredenburg/Hopefield/Airforce Base. If you turn left towards Vredenburg, you will go through the town and eventually come out in Paternoster.

History & general info about Paternoster

There is some debate as to the origin of the town’s name. The town has seen its fair share of shipwrecks over the years and many believe that the town was named after the “Our Father” or “Paternoster” prayed by Portuguese sailors as they passed the Bay. Others however claim that the name originates from the beads that were worn by the Khoi tribes that were also called Paternosters. Originally a fishing village, Paternoster had a large fish factory that primarily extracted oil from sea-bulls – an oil used mainly for medicinal purposes. The building still stands today but now operates as “Oep vir Koep”, the town’s most famous shop.

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West Coast Accommodation

November 16, 2009 by admin  
Filed under West Coast

Accommodation in the West Coast

Looking for for accommodation in the West Coast? We have accommodation in all areas of the West Coast, and by type of the West Coast accommodation such as b&b, self catering, hotel and guest houses etc.

Please email us at marc @ travelsupermarket.co.za telling us what you are looking for and we will send you a complete list of the places to stay in the West Coast matching your needs. We also list the direct contact details of each establishment so you can then choose the one you want and contact them directly.

Popular areas to stay in the West Coast

The West Coast of the Western Cape stretches roughly 400km from south to north. It is a coastal area of rugged beauty, that is wonderful if explored by car. The only places to stay along the west coast are small fishing villages. The following are the most popular: Yzerfontein, Velddrif, Swartland, Saldanha Bay, Malmesbury, Lambert’s Bay, Darling, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, and Bergrivier.

Things to do in the West Coast

Well, if you are visiting the West Coast we really hope you are a shellfish lover, as this area possibly has some of the best shellfish in the country. The area is famous for its museums, as well as for the tiny ‘old world’ small fishing villages.

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