Lambert’s Bay makes bold claims on its tourist brochures and websites. To find out whether they’re accurate, you’ll have to visit and decide for yourself.
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One of the claims sees Lambert’s Bay described as the seafood hotspot of the West Coast, while another calls the town the Diamond of the West Coast and a crayfish mecca. The one that made us smile was, ‘Every country in the world has a West Coast, but only South Africa has a Weskus’.
They may be onto something. The people in these parts are something else, a delight that makes visiting a pleasure. People aside, there are three superb reasons to visit: peace, birdlife and seafood. You may want to add your own reasons after a weekend here.
Like most of the surrounding coastal villages, Lambert’s Bay began as a fishing village but has become one of the major tourist attractions on the West Coast due to its decent year-round climate.Lambert’s Bay makes bold claims on its tourist brochures and websites. To find out whether they’re accurate, you’ll have to visit and decide for yourself.
Dolphins, whales, cormorants and plentiful gannets at Bird Island Nature Reserve attract tourists from all over. People often spot Heavyside’s dolphins from the beach. If you’re more into flower power, the town is a great place to view stretches of wildflowers that are most plentiful between July and October.
A history lesson
Lambert’s Bay is named after Admiral Lambert of the British Navy, who completed a marine survey of the bay between 1826 and 1840. British warships used the town as a lay-up during the Anglo-Boer War between 1899 and 1902, and during this time, the HMS Sybille ran aground opposite Steenbokfontein. The first crayfish factory was completed and began trading at the end of World War I, and the fishing industry formed the core of Lambert’s Bay’s economy for many years. The picturesque harbour, which these days is a tourist hotspot, bears testimony to this.
Getting to Lambert’s Bay
If travelling from Cape Town, take the N7 towards Clanwilliam. On the approach to Clanwilliam, take the R364 Graafwater/Lambert’s Bay Road to the coast. Once in Lambert’s Bay, follow the signs to the harbour and Bird Island Nature Reserve. The total journey should take no more than four hours.
What to do in Lambert’s Bay
Sandveld Museum
This museum houses 15 exhibits, including pieces from the HMS Sybille, a photograph collection, information about the fishing industry and community, a book and bible collection, an archaeological display, a horse mill and farm implements, clothes and embroidery from a bygone era.
24 Church Street, Lambert’s Bay Tuesday to Friday, 10.30 am to 3.30 pm.
Farmers Market at Malkoppan
This market is on the last Saturday of every month at Malkoppan Farm, opposite Muisbosskerm. It is a popular spot because it is unpretentious and focuses very much on ‘local is lekker’.
Bird Island Nature Reserve
This island, linked to Lambert’s Bay only by a breakwater wall, has an impressive Cape gannet colony and provides shelter to cormorants and penguins.
Visitors have a rare opportunity to get close to the blue-eyed Cape gannet, this being one of only six sites worldwide where they breed. While its 3 ha are vital for breeding and roosting, visitors should prepare for their senses to be bombarded in a way they may not have experienced before. That’s a polite way of saying that it really stinks.
Bird Island has a fantastic modern bird hide, and visitors can also explore an aquarium, auditorium, penguin pool, and a curio and coffee shop. Visit between April and September to witness the gannets’ unique mating dance and vocalising birds in their nests. Cape fur seals are on rocks on the far side of the island.
Entrance to the island may be prohibited if rough seas make it too dangerous to cross the breakwater. Visitors must be careful, even when the weather’s good.
Where to stay in Lambert’s Bay
Abalone
This comfortable self-catering house overlooks the beautiful Atlantic Ocean from Lambert’s Bay. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, an open-plan living area and an indoor and outdoor braai area for entertainment. Secure parking is available.
Aan’t See
This property has two separate units. The house has two double en-suite rooms on the top floor with uninterrupted sea views through large corner windows. A large open- plan living area leads into the kitchen, which opens onto a large patio. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, indoor braai area and double garage with remote control access and an electric gate.
The cottage sleeps two people and is private. It is comfortably furnished and has a small kitchenette with a fridge, freezer, microwave and an electric frying pan. The patio has a portable braai. lambertsbay.co.za
Where to eat in Lambert’s Bay
Bosduifklip
027 432 2735 or 084 703 8311
[email protected]
Muisbosskerm
027 432 1017 or 083 270 9530
[email protected]
Isabella’s Restaurant
027 432 1177
[email protected]
Mad Hatter’s Coffee Shop
027 432 1673
[email protected]
This article was extracted from Getaway print magazine.
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