langebaan
the cape west coast
HOW TO GET THERE
(GPS: 33 06S 18 02E)Off the R27, 120km north of Cape Town.
TOURISM OFFICE
· Tel: 022 772 1515· Fax: 022 772 1531
ORIGINS OF THE NAME
The name means 'long track' and refers to the extensive stretch of beach it is located on.HISTORY
During the early 1600's, French seal hunters used an island in a safe lagoon as a base. Isle la Biche. After the Dutch arrived in the Cape, they also favoured and used the safe waters of the lagoon, then known as "Saldanha Baaij". The island was used for grazing and became known as "Schaapen Island".By 1668, the French showed interest in the Saldanha Bay area and the captain of the French ship Saumacque erected a flag-pole with a lead plate at the biggest waterhole. On this plate was the inscription of the cote of arms of Lodewyk XVI. A Dutch soldier, Anthonij Bosman reported on 7 July 1668, that he had hacked out the pole and had burnt it. During 1670 a French admiral De la Haye with 200 soldiers removed the VOC monogram and again hoisted the French flag. Dutch Commissioner Goske decided to remove the French flag in 1671 and once again the VOC colours were flown.
By around 1870 a village was laid out on the eastern shore of the Langebaan Lagoon. Over time it developed into an important fishing village and popular holiday resort.
The lagoon itself is only about 6m deep. It is the repository of millions of tons of oyster shells, up to 7 meters deep, which is dredged and crushed to make lime.
Founded in 1922, the town, once also a whaling station, has been transformed into undoubtedly the busiest holiday destination on the West Coast. It is a mecca for nature-lovers and water sport enthusiasts.
POPULATION
5500PLACES OF INTEREST
◊ West Coast National Park
WHAT TO DO AND SEE
• Wind and Kite Surfing• Boat trips
• Sailing
• Fishing
• Birding
• Horse Trails
• Cycling and Mountainbike Trails
• Golf
• See the accommodation page for accommodation in this area
