South Africa – Langebaan – part 2
15th February to 2nd March 2026
We are still in Langebaan having a great time kiting and exploring the area and all that South Africa has to offer. However there is no wind now for over a week!
We are surrounded by vineyards in the Cape of South Africa, so we had to have a wine tasting. Darling cellars provide one where you choose 4 wines each.
We paired our wines with a fab cheese board. The wines were excellent, as was the food – I would recommend 👌
Later that day we explored more coastline and stopped at Yzerfontein, which has a 16 mile beach, the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in South Africa.
They also have a superb range of information boards right on the beach. There must have been at least 12 boards.
Apparently it’s a premier spot for seasonal whale watching in August and September.
Driving back to Langebaan via the scenic route – which just happened to be through the West Coast National Park Marine protected area.
The Park incorporates the head of the estuary and the other side of the lagoon where we kite, so we were very interested to see what it what was like.
After paying for a visitor pass we had a map! Which also contained a list of some of the animals and birds commonly found there.
So naturally we wanted to find as many as we could.
After miles of fynbos and estuary we came upon this breathtaking beach.
I just love the sea especially when its wild and rugged like this.
So many sea birds
These Sacred Ibis are quite plentiful around this coastline.
These are house boats in a sheltered part of the bay – very exclusive.
I wasn’t expecting to see a couple of ostrich this close to the sea..!
We kite around No.7 at Langebaan and No.6 at Shark Bay
Paul was hoping to see a Tortoise and I wanted to see a Bontybok – we both got our wish 😄
Paul saved a Tortoise from the middle of the road 🤗
We had 30 minutes left in the park but wanted to check out this bird hide and wetlands area.
Lesser Flamingos – more white than pink
No-wind day visit to Mark’s Beach Bar
Morning coastal walk to Shark Bay – no wind
Another no-wind day – its been a week now. More walking, exploring, swimming and chilling for us 🙂
We drove up to Paternoster further up the coast on this no-wind day.
Another of the ubiquitous yellow signs seen at tourist hotspots. We got chatting to a couple of old guys next to here, who said you must visit the panty bar…
we found it!! What a sight…
Started in 1974 with originally honeymooner’s panties, banned by police (known as “panty basson”) in 1983, then revived in the 1990s by the owners son.
Next stop was the Shelley Point lighthouse and on the way we spotted these large birds in the fields. They are Blue Cranes, the national bird of South Africa.
Even more shells here than Paternoster – millions of them!!
Rather exclusive estate with gated security, we had to show ID to get through to the lighthouse.
Lovely to see the seals behind the lighthouse.
Back at Langebaan – Ooh look a floating ship! – lots of fog no wind.
We hired a double kayak and went paddling round the island in the middle of Langebaan lagoon.
In the distance Paul saw dolphins over the side of the lagoon, away from the island.
So we raced, paddling as fast as we could, over to the other side of the lagoon, and were rewarded with this enounter
We couldn’t believe our good fortune. The dolphins came over twice to say hello, swimming around and under our kayak.
Paddling back round to the far side of the island we came across this seal colony.
There must have been 20 seals sunning themselves on the rocks. The male seal was making a lot of noise.
They say that you smell, then hear, before you see a seal colony.
It was absolutely breathtaking to watch the dolphins and seals in their natural habitat — making a perfect, joyful, memorable day for us.
A tree overhangs the braii area in the garden and fruit falls regularly. These passion fruit make for a refreshing tangy snack – just cut in half then scoop out the inside with a spoon.
Lots of lovely ripe cape gooseberries (physalis) in the garden.
Its windy in Langebaan again!
A lively south westerly came through,
bringing lots of chop and strong gusts in the middle of the channel. Great fun!! 👍 😀
We were thirsty and opened this drink without reading the small print… resulting in an explosive fountain of ginger beer !
Last meal of sushi at our favourite local restaurant Roxcie.
Last mini sunset in Langebaan.
Now we are off to do the Garden Route along the bottom of the the southern Cape.
