South Africa is truly spectacular in every season, but I won’t lie that summer is ultimately my favourite. It’s the season which calls for beach time, braai days, al fresco dining, warm summer nights, road tripping and holidays; what’s not to love? Speaking of beaches and road tripping, we got to road trip along South Africa’s West Coast with Protea by Marriott Hotels. With the Protea Hotel by Marriott in Saldanha Bay as our base, we explored the ocean, family, cultural and foodie elements of this route. We have loved the West Coast for the longest time and frequently visit to get a dose of the wild Atlantic beauty, the turquoise waters of Kraalbaai, the abundance of stars by night and some of the best seafood you’ll find countrywide.
If you ( like most South Africans) have yet to book your December/January holiday, then take advantage of Protea’s summer special of up to 30% off if you book 25 days in advance *T&C’s apply*. Here’s some of our top tips and highlights for you to use on your next road trip here:
Seafront Saldanha Bay Views at the Proteal Hotel by Marriott Saldanha Bay.
‘Chill’ time with Caleb in the lounge. Ha! There is no chill time with a toddler.
Breakfast time with a sea view.
Kid-friendly Activities
WesKus Padstal ( West Coast Farmstall)
This is one of those great farm stalls where you can take a lovely lengthy break. Refuel with a lunch of homemade pies, toasted sandwiches or salads whilst the kids enjoy the huge playground with a giant chess set, jungle gym and tunnel of tyres. And that’s after you’ve made your way through the giant aviary of various birds. Spot parrots of every hue, budgies and quail but heed the warning signs on the fences for your kids not to stick their fingers through the cages as they do bite.
Caleb loving the giant chess set at the West Coast Farmstall.
Farmyard Farmstall
This is another gem along the R27 at the intersection where you can have lunch, let the little ones run riot and fill up the car before you hit the road again. Sweets, treats, tarts and jams can be found inside the shop and tables can be found all the way around on the stoep and outside undercover. Buy bird food to feed the chickens with or walk across the grass to where the duck pond is. Beneath the old windmill is a wooden jungle gym perfect for the kids to release their pent-up energy on.
The farmyward farmstall filled with tarts, treats and snacks for the road.
Your kids can feed the chickens and ducks here.
Ocean and Beach Activities
Kraalbaai and Preekstoel Beach, West Coast National Park
When I visited Kraalbaai many years ago, I could hardly believe the colour of the water. A pure aquamarine hue, it rather resembled that of a tropical island than any water I’d seen in South Africa. In fact, I’m not sure you’ll such a combination of soft white sand and light blue water quite like this in the country. Sheltered from almost all West Coast gusts, you’ll people boating, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking in this calm waters. With no real waves of any kind, children can play in this shallow water quite safely. Preekstoel has break facilities so bring your boerewors and your break goodies and get your lunch going before going down for a dip.
Have you seen water like this elsewhere in South Africa?
Kraalbaai and Preekstoel, the perfect beaches for kids.
The softest white sand, perfect bays for picnics and flat water safe for swimming.
Kayak in Langebaan
We rented a double kayak for half a day with Gravity Adventures for R350 and took it with us to Kraalbaai. Weather depending, you can launch right there from Langebaan beach opposite Pearlies or even go a longer guided kayak trip which takes you out and around the island. The day we arrived was a kitesurfer’s dream which means it was generally too windy for other non-motorized craft.
Vaughan and Caleb relishing the flat waters of Kraalbaai when it was windy everywhere else in Langebaan.
Perfect way to spend a family day.
Foodie Activities
The Strandloper
With some of the best seafood South Africa has to offer, you’ll have so many options of where to eat. But I would encourage not to miss the Strandloper restaurant if at all possible. For R295 per person you’ll feast on a 10 course seafood meal ( barring lamb/beef stew) with roosterkoek ( bread made over the fire), garlic bread, sweet potato as sides. As our feet sunk into the sand and the sun dipped into the Atlantic, we made our way through mouth-watering mussels cooked in white wine, seafood curry, crayfish, snoek and other assortments of fish with only mussel shells as our cutlery.
Mussels in white wine cooking over the fire. Only the first of ten courses.
Seafood brewing while the sun makes its descent over the Atlantic.
Vaughan tucking in to the first of many courses.
Caleb was in his absolute element here as they had beach buckets, spades and toys to play with and he got to spend the whole evening on the ‘beach’ whilst we ate. They provide glasses if you’d like to bring your own drinks but there is a cash bar situated up on the rocks. Bring cash to pay with as there are card facilities. Lunch starts at 12 until about 4pm and dinner starts around 6pm until late. If you’re going at night, be sure to bring a warm jacket as the West Coast wind can get chilly at night.
The perfect seafood restaurant where you can feel the sand on your feet and the Atlantic sea breeze in your hair.
Caleb loving this beach restaurant and all the toys provided.
Find your spot in the sun and your table on the rocks.
Bring your own drinks or visit the cash bar.
Protea Hotel for Oysters and Mussels
Turns out that we didn’t ever have to leave the Protea Hotel in Saldanha Bay as they are well known for they delicious mussels and oysters. There are various assortments of mussels served in different ways and portions, so pick and choose and dine out on the terrace overlooking the ocean when the sun has smudged the sky a pale pink. The chic ocean-inspired lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows provide the best views and light and is the perfect setting for sundowners, lunch and dinner.
Some of the best mussels South Africa has to offer!
One of our favourite parts of the hotel.
Looking for boats from the lounge balcony.
Cultural Activities
San experience at !Kwa ttu
If you are coming with young kids, we would suggest you do the San experience tour by tractor. If you’re keen on a bike or a stroll then opt for the walking or biking options all R195 per person. Khwattu is a rather unique place in that it’s one of the last centres supporting the upliftment, training and preserving of the San people and their traditions. Southern Africa’s original people, they have all but disappeared due to their land and rights being taken away from settlers, but 6000 remain in South Africa.
Khwattu educates and trains young San people in travel and tourism and those who show promise are able to stay on and become interns and staff members. Kwhattu offers a hub for outdoor activities for all ages where you’re able to get a glimpse of how the San once lived whilst hunting and gathering. Join them for lunch in their restaurant or tour around to discover indigenous plants which we all either used for medicine or food.
For more information on visiting !Kwa ttu and tours visit www.khwattu.org
Biking at !Kwa ttu. Photo credit: !kwa ttu.
Learn about the fascinating history of the San people.
West Coast Fossil Park
Another spot which is fun for the entire family is this fossil park. Set with a kids playground, coffee shop and picnic area, there is a lot to do before you even get stuck into the fossil finding. Adventure seekers can rent a bike and hit their trail or you can hike along their nature trail. Said to once be a subtropical climate with open grasslands and riverine forest, the West Coast was once home to now extinct species such as short-necked giraffes, saber-toothed cats, African bears and hunting hyenas. The guided tours are a great way to discover just how and when fossils were first discovered in this region.
Entrance fee without a tour is R35 per person, children under 5 are free. For more information on tour times, visit www.fossilpark.org.za
To take advantage of up to 30 % discount if you book 25 days in advance ( T&C’s apply, please check the website for more details) or to book your summer stay at this Protea Hotel by Marriott or any of their hotels in South Africa or Africa, visit protea.marriott.com.
