The coastal town of Langebaan is known as the “Jewel of the West Coast”, and as its set on both a natural, salt water lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, its an unbeatable choice for water sport enthusiasts. On the edge of the West Coast National Park, just an hour and half from Cape Town, Langebaan has white beaches, flat turquoise water, and cross shore winds that make it the ultimate playground for water lovers. Please note, all pricing correct at time of publishing.

WEATHER & CONDITIONS

Langebaan has a Mediterranean climate with warmer temperatures than Cape Town, but with a higher wind chill factor. Summer sees an average high of 26˚C. The seas are covered in fog in the winter and June is the coldest month with an average low of 8˚C.

• Best winds: October – March
• Wetsuit type: Shorty or full wetsuit
• Water type: Flat water and chop

Check the weather

The wind

You can pretty much always expect it to be windy in Langebaan. Winds start out calmer in the morning and get stronger towards the afternoon. During summer (October – March), the south-easterly winds are side shore and there are 20 – 25 days a month with 20 knot winds. During winter (May – August), the north-westerly winds are gusty but unreliable and one can expect days with winds of up to 35 knots. Check the wind forecast with WindGURU.
The water

The natural, salt water lagoon is shallow and protected from the open ocean. The water conditions are flat and generally warmer than Cape Town. In the southern area of the lagoon, water temperatures range between 16 – 22˚C depending on the season and tide, and can be enjoyed without a wetsuit. Most of the time, the water is calm with little waves or currents and is great for swimming. Watch out for harmless sand sharks that may slither out from beneath your feet!
Tides

The lagoon is open to the sea with strong tides at certain times of the day. To check which way the tide is flowing, have a look at the moored boats. They are positioned relative to their mooring point in relation to the tide – not the wind.
The beach

Langebaan’s Main Beach is great for beginner and intermediate kitesurfers with more than enough room for everyone. The wind almost always picks up by mid-afternoon. At the end of the main beach, a patch of sand near the yacht club has been dubbed “Second Beach” by locals, and is popular among fishermen, bait collectors, and catamarans.

POPULAR EVENTS

Mega Windsurf Test

With an unbeatable combination of wind and facilities, it’s no surprise Langebaan was picked by the German Surf Magazine as the spot for their annual Mega Windsurf Test – every year since 1996. During the first week of November, all manufacturers and designers of windsurf boards and sails meet to discuss and present their wave and free-ride windsurfing products for the coming season. It’s a great opportunity for you to come and meet them!

Fun Race

Join the Fun Race on the second Sunday of each month at the Langebaan Yacht Club where you can race your opponents by kayak, dinghy, or sailboat.

Cost: Free

Sunbird Drive, Langebaan | GPS: -33.105003, 18.032033 | Open every second Sunday of the month | +27 (0)22 772 2466 | langebaanyc@mweb.co.za

SNORKELLING

Bring your own goggles and snorkel the underworld of the Langebaan Lagoon. While rather chilly, the waters are calm and alive with crayfish, small fish, and shy sand sharks. Once home to millions of oysters, the lagoon is now believed to be the largest oyster graveyard in the world with the 14km long lagoon bed littered with roughly 30 million tons of oyster shells.

BOATING

Langebaan is a boater’s paradise with plenty of opportunity for pleasure cruises, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and more. Here is a list of boating options in Langebaan:

Launch your own boat

Langebaan Yacht Club has a concrete slipway for launching boats into the lagoon. Please note that the Langebaan Parks Board patrols the lagoon and the SAP Waterwing patrols the bay to check that boats have valid documentation. You will need a Parks Board sticker, skipper’s license, buoyancy certificate, an annual Langebaan permit, and a cut-off switch. Mark your boat trailer with your correct information.

Cost: R120 per launch for non-members (closed to non-members during December and Easter holidays)

Sunbird Drive, Langebaan | GPS: -33.105003, 18.032033 | Open daily, 08:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)22 772 2466 | langebaanyc@mweb.co.za

Book a boat tour

Brian’s Boat Tours runs 8-seater eco trips on the Langebaan Lagoon and parts of Saldanha Bay. Boat trips cover historical, cultural, and birding interests.

Cost: R300 per person (minimum of 2 people)

14 Lagoon Crescent, Langebaan | GPS: -33.101458, 18.030998 | Open: tours run daily, upon booking | +27 (0)22 772 2093 | bookings@brianstours.co.za

Hire a rubber duck

Hire a Gravity rubber duck and go fishing, skiing, or zoom across the lagoon to Kraalbaai for a picnic. The hire cost includes a skipper and 80l of fuel.

Cost: R4500 per day (6 hours)

Indigo Blue Beach House, Lagoon Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.102466, 18.031790 | +27 (0)21 683 3698 | adventure@gravity.co.za

Elite Adventure duck

Ride the ocean and jump the waves on a high speed adventure duck with Elite Charters. Pack a picnic or order one from them. Life jackets are supplied. Please note, Elite requires a minimum of 4 passengers and a maximum of 11 passengers to run a trip.

Club Mykonos jetty, Mykonos Access Road, Langebaan | GPS: -33.046296, 18.040933 | +27 (0)72 702 9919

Kraalbaai Houseboats

The Kraalbaai Houseboats are permanently moored on the Langebaan lagoon in the West Coast National Park. The Larus Houseboat has 3 cabins and can accommodate 15 people in the day with a spacious deck and floating jetty. The Nirvana Houseboat has an upper and lower deck and a floating jetty. It sleeps 22 people (8 on the upper deck and 14 on the lower deck) and can accommodate 50 people during the day.

Cost:

• Larus Houseboat: R2100 per night (minimum of 2 nights)
• Nirvana Houseboat: R10125 per night for the full unit, R4050 for the upper deck, and R6750 for the lower deck (minimum of 2 nights)

Kraalbaai, Langebaan | GPS: -33.140537, 18.028230 | +27 (0)21 526 0432 | bookings@kraalbaaihouseboats.co.za

SAILING

Your own yacht

Members are able to dock their boats and yachts at Langebaan Yacht Club (included in the membership fee) or at Club Mykonos Marina (space dependent). You can also moor at Kraal Bay with permits from SANParks.

Cost:

• Langebaan Yacht Club: R930 per family membership, R700 per single membership, R560 per family pensioner membership, R370 per single pensioner membership, R230 per junior student membership
• Club Mykonos Marina: R240 weekdays and R350 weekends for a monohull, R480 weekdays and R750 weekends for a catamaran

Sunbird Drive, Langebaan | GPS: -33.105003, 18.032033 | Open daily, 08:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)22 772 2466 | langebaanyc@mweb.co.za

Catamaran cruises

Enjoy a lazy afternoon or sunset catamaran cruise on the lagoon – complete with a glass of bubbly. The 39ft catamaran has an on-board cash bar and can easily accommodate up to 40 guests (minimum of 6 passengers per cruise). Catering can be prepared with advanced booking, such as oysters, crayfish, and gourmet platters.

Cost: R300 per person

Club Mykonos jetty, Mykonos Access Road, Langebaan | GPS: -33.046296, 18.040933 | Open daily, 11:00 – 13:00; 14:00 – 16:00; 17:00 – 19:00 | +27 (0)72 702 9919

Yachtmaster Sailing School

Do a sailing course in Saldanha Bay or enjoy a coastal trip along the West Coast to see seabirds, seals, dolphins, and whales. Competent Crew courses for beginners through to Yachtmaster Ocean for experts are available. RYA and SAS qualifications are offered and will teach you how to manage the vessel confidently.

Cost:

• Competent Crew practical: R6500 (5 days)
• Day Skipper practical: R6500
• Coastal Skipper practical: R7800

Club Mykonos jetty, Mykonos Access Road, Langebaan | +27 (0)21 788 1009 | skipper@yachtmaster.co.za

JET SKIING

Bring your own jet ski

Bring your own jet ski and launch it in Langebaan. You will need to obtain a West Coast Personal Water Craft Association (WCPWCA) membership before applying for your SANParks Water Permit. Download documents here and submit them prior to your arrival.

West Coast Jet Ski, Langebaan | +27 (0)83 261 4969 | wayne@wcpwca.co.za

Club Mykonos Wet Bikes

Enjoy a 10km jet ski trip from Club Mykonos to Schaapen Island and back. No experience is needed, but passengers must be able to swim. This activity is not suitable for children under 5 years.  Life jackets are supplied.

Cost: R350 per person (R100 for an extra passenger)

Club Mykonos jetty, Mykonos Access Road, Langebaan | GPS: -33.046296, 18.040933 | +27 (0)72 155 2611 | wetbikes@gmail.com

DIVING

You can dive in the lagoon by prior reservation with SANParks. The area from “the line” to Spreeuwalle is a marine protected area where you can dive as long as you stay out of the boating lanes. No spearfishing is allowed.

Dive Sites

Schaapen Island:

• See cuttlefish, octopus, and plenty of small fish
• Average depth: 2m
• Maximum depth: 8m

Marcus Island:

• See mussels, crayfish, and sea cucumbers
• Average depth: 7m
• Maximum depth: 12m

Malgas Island:

• See sponge, red bait, small fish, and crayfish
• Average depth: 7m
• Maximum depth: 30m

Langebaan Divers

Explore the Atlantic Ocean with Langebaan Divers whether you’re an experienced or first time diver. You can see all sorts of fish, shrimp, anemones, abalone, and shy sharks.

Cost:

• Dive equipment rental: R50 per piece
• Marina dive: R100 per person
• Beach entries: R350 per person for groups of 3 people or less, R250 per person for groups of 4 or more
• Luxury boat dive: R500 per dive (minimum of 8 people)
• Discover SCUBA course: R850  per person (1 – 2 days)
• Refresher course: R850 per person
• Resort course: R1850 per person (3 – 5 days)
• Open Water: R3250 per person for groups of 3 people or less, R3000 for groups of 4 or more
• Specialty courses: From R1850  per person (2 – 3 days)
• Advanced Adventurer: R2650 per person for groups of 3 people or less,  R2500 per person for groups of 4 or more (3 – 5 days)

Club Mykonos jetty, Mykonos Access Road, Langebaan| GPS: -33.046296, 18.040933 | Open daily, 09:00 – 18:00 | +27 (0)82 546 5111 | langebaandivers@gmail.com

KAYAKING

The still, early mornings are ideal for sea kayaking on the lagoon. As it’s a RAMSAR site and home to penguins, flamingos, oystercatchers, whales, dolphins, and nearly 25% of southern Africa’s birdlife, there’s plenty to see on a paddle of the lagoon. A development program for previously disadvantaged children is run by the local canoe club during the first, second, and fourth school terms and teaches kids valuable canoeing skills.  Langebaan also hosts the Cape Point Qualifiers where paddlers paddle from the lagoon to Jacob’s Bay.

Gravity Adventures

Gravity has sole rights to operate commercial sea kayaking trips in the West Coast National Park, giving you the chance to see the birdlife and scenery that makes this area so beautiful.

Cost:

• Self-guided: R130  for 2 people (1 hour)
• Guided trip: From R375 per person

Main Beach, Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.090339, 18.030033 | +27 (0)21 683 3698 | adventure@gravity.co.za

Cape Sports Centre

Paddle out with Cape Sports Centre and fill up after with sandwiches and snacks from their deli.

• Single kayak: R250 for single kayak (2 hours), R385 (full day)
• Double kayak: R385 (2 hours), R495 (full day)

Cape Sports Centre, 98 Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.082113, 18.032251 | +27 (0)22 772 1114 | info@capesport.co.za

 WINDSURFING

With strong winds pretty much every day, the Langebaan lagoon is perfect for windsurfing – especially when the wind peaks in the afternoon. Bring your own or hire a windsurfer.

Cape Sports Centre 

Hire a windsurfer from Cape Sports Centre and spend a day learning how to windsurf with help from the experts.
Cost:

• Board and rig: R795 (2 hours), R1095 (full day)
• Board and sail: R517 (2 hours), R712 (full day)
• Harness: R95 (2 hours), R120 (full day)
• Wetsuit: R120 (2 hours), R160 (full day)
• Life jacket: R50 (2 hours), R85 (full day)
• Package: R900 (2 hours), R1245 (full day)
• Lessons: R700 per person (2 hours), R600 per person for groups of 2 or more (2 hours)

Cape Sports Centre, 98 Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.082113, 18.032251 | +27 (0)22 772 1114 | info@capesport.co.za

KITESURFING

With flat water and cross shore winds, Langebaan is one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world.  Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you can make the most of the wind and waters of the Langebaan lagoon.

Constantly Kiting

Constantly Kiting offers all the latest equipment for beginner to expert kitesurfers.

Cost:

• Full rig: R650 (full day)
• Board: R300 (full day)
• Kite: R350 (full day)
• Wetsuit, jacket, harness, and helmet: R50 (full day)

• Kitesurfing beginner’s course: R1400 (5 hours), R2800 (10 hours), R3900 for (15 hours)

114 Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.080307, 18.033088 | +27 (0)73 071 3878 | info@constantlykiting.com

Kitelab

Kitelab is right on the beach and offers excellent kitesurfing equipment.

Cost:

• Kite and board: R500 (half day), R700 (full day)
• Board: R200 (half day), R300 (full day)
• Wetsuit: R70 (half day), R100 (full day)
• Harness: R70 (half day), R100 (full day)
• Beginners course: R2600 per person (2 days)
• Advanced kitesurfing lessons: R475 per person (per hour)

8 Bree Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.091157, 18.032256 | +27 (0)22 772 0026 | info@kitelab.co.za

Windtown

Windtown has qualified instructors and equipment.

Cost:

• Kite: R800
• Board: R300
• Kite and board: R1075
• Harness, helmet, and life jacket: R200 (1 day)
• Taster Course: R400 per person (for groups of 1 – 3 people)
• Beginners course: R1700 per person (3 hours), R1500 per person for groups of 2 – 3 people (3 hours)
• Beginners course: R2500 per person (7 hours), R2700 per person for groups of 2 – 3 people (9 hours)
• Intermediate course: R1600 per person  (2 hours)
• Refresher course: R1000 per person (2 hours)

Windtown Lagoon Resort & Spa, Bree Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.091604, 18.032921 | +27 (0)22 772 1064 | active@windtown-sa.com

Windchasers 

Windchasers Kitesurfing School offers IKO-accredited kiteboarding lessons, including two-way radio communication, all equipment, and an IKO certificate. The packages are run over 2 days and are around 10 hours in total with 2 people per instructor or 6 hours for one-on-one lessons.

Cost:

• Board and kite: R500 (2 hours), R700 (full day)
• Board: R200 (2 hours), R300 (full day)
• Kite: R450 (2 hour), R550 (full day)
• Wetsuit: R150 (2 hours), R200 (full day)
• Life jacket: R50 (2 hours), R80 (full day)
• Harness: R100 (2 hours), R150 (full day)
• Helmet: R50 ( 2 hours), R70 (full day)
• Beginners course: R2900 per person

88 Main Road, Langebaan | GPS: -33.082724, 18.032049 |+27 (0)82 079 0500 | info@windchaserssa.com

Cape Sports Centre

Cape Sports Centre offers beginner courses for kitesurfers.

Cost: R2650

Cape Sports Centre, 98 Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.082113, 18.032251 | +27 (0)22 772 1114 | info@capesport.co.za

FLYBOARDING

Experience the latest craze of flyboarding with Elite Charters. What’s more, it can be achieved in just one lesson! Please note that you must be able to swim. Life jackets, safety helmets, and an instructor are included in the cost. Weight limit: 45kg – 145kg.

Cost: R650 for 30 minutes

Elite Charters, Bree Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.091669, 18.033333 | +27 (0)76 397 8351 | bookings@elitecharters.co.za

SURFING & BODY BOARDING 

Surf West Coast style – with an 8 foot long board and a short wetsuit. The lagoon has perfect waves that are not too powerful with little to no currents. Bring your own board or hire one from a reputable company.

Cape Sports Centre

Cape Sports Centre has perfect conditions for surfing right in front of the centre. Equipment ranges from body boards to BIC Sport surfboards.

Cost:

• Surfing: R125 (1 hour), R195 (2 hours), R295 (full day)

• Body boarding: R50 (1 hour), R75 (2 hours), R115 (full day)

Cape Sports Centre, 98 Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.082113, 18.032251 | +27 (0)22 772 1114 | info@capesport.co.za

STAND UP PADDLING 

Explore the beautiful scenery and surrounds on a Stand Up Paddling (SUP) board. You can paddle on your own or join a guided tour.

Cape Sports Centre

Cape Sports Centre offers SUP equipment rentals.

Cost: R200 (1 hour), R295 (2 hours), R345 (full day)

Cape Sports Centre, 98 Main Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.082113, 18.032251 | +27 (0)22 772 1114 | info@capesport.co.za

Windtown 

Windtown offers SUP boards for hire guided lagoon tours – a unique way to explore the area.

Cost:

• R150 (1 hour)
• Guided tour: R250 per person (1 hour)

Windtown Lagoon Resort & Spa, Bree Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.091604, 18.032921 | +27 (0)22 772 1064 | active@windtown-sa.com

Kitelab

Kitelab offers SUP board rentals.

Cost: R300 per person for 1- 2 people, R250 per person for 3 – 4 people (1.5 hours)

8 Bree Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.091157, 18.032256 | +27 (0)22 772 0026 | info@kitelab.co.za 

FISHING

Langebaan is a fantastic spot for shore fishing, fly fishing in the estuary, as well as angling on small boats in the bay and lagoon. Fish include various species of kob, stumpnose, galjoen, hottentot, kabeljou, mackeral, mullet, shad (elf), and garrick (leervis), as well as several species of shark, ray, and skate in summer. Fishing can also be enjoyed from the harbour walls, close to the jetty, and along the rocks and protected beaches.

Permits

The lagoon was declared a protected area in 1976 and later a National Park and Marine Protected Area (MPA) in order to preserve the marine life. The lagoon was divided into 3 sections with fishing allowed in Zone A, power boats excluded from Zone B, and all boats excluded from Zone C. Catching of linefish is allowed with a recreational fishing permit obtained from the local post office.

Cost:

• Year permit: R76 for angling, R94 for bait
• Month permit: R52 for angling, R57 for bait

9 Bree Street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.091210, 18.032273 | Open Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00, Wednesday, 08:30 – 17:00, Saturday, 08:00 – 13:00, Sundays closed and public holidays |+27 (0)22 772 2710

Tackle Hire

Lure Them In Bait and Tackle has a variety of pilchards and exotic baits.

Shop 6, Swemmer Levin Building, Oostewal street, Langebaan | GPS: -33.097381, 18.030909 | Open daily, 08:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)22 772 2660

Fly fishing tours

Liquid Horizon offers fishing tours with the help of a specialist Langebaan lagoon guide. The trip includes transport from Cape Town to Langebaan, a qualified guide, fishing permits and licenses, entry fees to the reserve, lunch and drinks, flies and terminal tackle, and a stripping basket. Bring your own rod, reel, line, and lures – or hire them separately. The tour is suitable for beginners and experts.

Cost:

• Single angler: R3235 per person per day
• Two anglers: R1960 per person per day
• 9 weight rod rental: R250 per day
• 9 weight reel with floating fly line rental: R300 per day

Liquid Horizon, Unit 18 Roeland Street, Cape Town | GPS: -33.931103, 18.422774 | Open weekends and public holidays, November to April, upon booking | +27 (0)82 379 0349 | info@flyfishcapetown.co.za

Recommended fishing spots

• The Yacht Club is one of the best places to fish when there aren’t a lot of boats. It’s known for elf, stumps, and kob.

• On the rocks close to the “3 houses” just north of the Yacht Club. It’s known for shark, stumps, kob, and steenbras.
• Paaltjies and the Navy base have all sorts of fish and is one of the most productive fishing spots from the shore.
• The Spit, just north of Pearly’s Restaurant, is a shallow sandy area with lots of gullies.
• Stumps and kolstert can be fished amongst the rocky structures at Leentjiesklip
• The rocks at Mykonos and Paradise beach are known for stumps, kolstert, geelbek, hottentots, galjoen, and kob.
• Spreeuwalle is fantastic – especially when the south-easterly wind has been blowing. It’s known for kob, shark, stumps, st. josephs, elf, kolstert, and leervis.

Fishing tips

• Recommended bait: hookah, crabs, mussels, limpets, redbait, mussel worms, prawns, octopus, pilchards, worms, shrimps, and vegetable matter. Here are more bait suggestions.
• When the tide is out, try and set up as far north as possible where the fish are drawn to the warmer water. When the tide is coming in, find a spot to the south where the water is warmer. Between tides, stay away from Paaltjies as there is a very strong current – especially during a spring tide.
• More tips on shore angling for beginners.
• Check out the Langebaan fishing FAQs.

GENERAL TIPS

• Make sure you bring along enough cash to pay for equipment hire. Most stores require full payment before equipment leaves the store.
• Bring your ID document, driver’s license, or passport to secure your rentals.
• Ensure your documentation is up to date.
• These include fishing permits, buoyancy certificates, and seaworthy and skipper’s licenses.
• Pack sunscreen, a hat, camera, binoculars, and warm clothes as the wind can get chilly even in summer.

ACCOMMODATION

Langebaan is the perfect location for a weekend of fun in the sun. Grab your friends and family and plan a weekend on the water and make a lifetime of memories. From laidback self-catering to convenient guest houses, we’ve got some fantastic accommodation in Langebaan. Please note, all pricing correct at time of publishing.

What are your favourite water sports in Langebaan?