One of our favourite weekend getaway destinations from Cape Town is the West Coast. This lesser visited coastline of South Africa is one of the most beautiful, family-friendly areas in the Western Cape. Stretching from Cape Town to the border of the Northern Cape, it’s the perfect place to enjoy your next family holiday.
Over time, the Cape West Coast has grown in popularity, both as a destination for seaside holidays and weekend escapes. Small towns such as Langebaan, Yzerfontein, Jacobsbaai, Veldrif, St Helena Bay and Paternoster are all well worth a visit – as a day trip destination or for a longer stay.
Dotted with homely, seaside towns, gorgeous beaches, breathtaking, seasonal wildflowers and pristine natural spaces, this unique region offers plenty. Here, families can enjoy natural beauty, outdoor fun and child-friendly activities.
Things to do on the West Coast of South Africa
Here are some of the top 10 things to do in the West Coast with kids:
Plaasmol Farm Stall
Since opening its doors in 2011, the delightful Plassmol farm stall has a coffee shop, nursery and animal farm making it a firm attraction in the West Coast.
Situated five kilometres outside Hopefield, this cheerful spot offers families a chance to rest during their journey. Alternatively, you can also stock up on roadtrip snacks and enjoy a fun outing.
Aside from the main farm stall, they also have a delightful coffee shop, plant nursery, animal farm, pet shop (where you can buy pets, pet accessories and general pet supplies) and Route 45 Bar.
It is especially ideal for families with younger children, as you can introduce them to animals in a safe farm space. Kids can learn about animal conservation and even enjoy feeding and petting the animal(s), while you relax in the garden with tasty, country-style food and good coffee.
This vibrant farm stall-coffee shop is also passionate about upcycling, recycling and caring for our planet, so it’s a good eye-opener for children and adults alike.
Visit them for a great, educational experience with your kids.
Tel: +27 (0)74 924 8478
Email: info@plaasmol.co.za
Web: plaasmol.co.za
Explore!Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre
!Khwa ttu is a wonderful place to visit. This incredible place, situated just outside Yzerfontein, offers an insightful, educational and freeing getaway.
Their goal is to celebrate and preserve the past and present of the San culture – and it is a truly enlightening experience visiting their culture and education centre.
Aside from their lovely accommodation options and restaurant, !Khwa ttu offers San guided tours, MTB routes, e-biking, herbal tea tastings and trail running.
Plus, there is a great wealth of bird- and animal-life to see. This adds to the overall experience!
There is also a lovely nature garden and plenty of open spaces, including a lawn area, for kids to explore with their parents.
!Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre
Activity prices: Vary according to the activity.
Tel: +27 (0)22 492 2998
Email: info@khwattu.org
Web: www.khwattu.org
Family Fun at Thali Thali Game Lodge
Located near Langebaan, Thali Thali Game Lodge is a special, family-run game farm. It is also the perfect place to go to experience the Cape West Coast.
Home to more than 250 mammals, Thali Thali offers incredible accommodation options, a delightful restaurant, nature walks, game drives and archery.
Children will love seeing the animals. Especially the springbok, giraffes, bontebok and other wild animals who roam the farm free.
Head to Thali Thali for fun game drives, country-style food, accommodation and beautiful scenery.
Thali Thali Game Lodge
Activity prices: Vary according to the activity.
Game drives are R300 per adult. R150 per child (5-12 years). Free to children under 5. Bookings are essential for game drives.
Tel: +27 (0)82 372 8637, +27 (0)83 275 2825
Email: info@thalithali.co.za
Web: www.thalithali.co.za
Visit the West Coast National Park
Explore the West Coast National Park in your car, enjoy a braai or picnic and see the wildflowers, animals and unique settings that this special park has to offer.
During springtime, Postberg Reserve section is an especially fun experience, as it blooms with an abundance of Cape wildflowers.
Children will love being able to walk in nature, swim in Kraalbaai and see flowers and animals in this lovely national park.
West Coast National Park
Gate entry times:
September – March: 07:00 – 19:00 (Last vehicle entry at 18:30)
April to August: 07:00 – 18:00 (Last vehicle entry at 17:30)
Postberg (August – September only): 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry to Postberg at 16:30)
Entry fees: Please see here for daily conservation and entry fees throughout the year.
Tel: +27 (0)22 772 2144
Email: reservations@sanparks.org
Web: www.sanparks.org/parks/west_coast
Stop by Camphill Country Market
Taking place on the first Sunday of every month (except January) near Klein Dassenberg, one finds Camphill Country Market.
This family-friendly market is a treasure trove for food and craft stalls… Browse a wide range of goods – everything from organic fruit and veg to mouthwatering breads and cakes, plants, jewellery, second-hand books and fragrant soaps – all while you savour the market’s sights, sounds and smells.
If the market stalls don’t tempt you, pop by the Camphill Cafe, which serves a tempting array of fresh bakes. You can also explore Pandora’s Box, Camphill’s own vintage shop.
For kids, there is a jungle gym, while fun tractor rides bring joy to children and adults alike. There are also pony rides to enjoy – and donkeys to meet!
Surrounded by soothing gardens and shady trees, visitors can enjoy exploring, feasting on tasty food and drink or soaking up the fresh, country air.
Camphill Country Market
Market dates and time: First Sunday of every month (except January) from 10:00 – 2:00.
Tel: +27 (0)21 571 8600
Email: info@camphill.org.za
Web: www.camphill.org.za/market
Unearth History at the West Coast Fossil Park
Whether your kids love dinosaurs and fossils or not – the West Coast Fossil Park is a fascinating experience for young and old.
Found along the R45, near Vredenburg, the West Coast Fossil Park is a world-renowned attraction, famed for its well-preserved fossil faunal remains.
Here, a team of researchers are trying to unravel the past, as they carefully unearth the West Coast’s unique fossil history. They are searching for now-extinct animals like saber-toothed cats, short-necked giraffes and African bears.
On site, you will find a new visitor’s centre, which hosts an exhibition hall, restaurant, shop, the Pliocene Garden Amphitheatre – and even the open dig site that past visitors will recall.
There is an option to just visit the museum but for a more in-depth experience, you can also book a tour.
Explore this incredible place, where history is housed and educate yourself and your children on some of the earth’s previously hidden wonders…
West Coast Fossil Park
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 09:00 – 16:00 (Tours run at 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00).
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 09:30 – 13:00 (Tours run at 11:00 and 12:00).
Closed: Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday.
Activity prices:
R40 per adult (museum only). R20 per child under 15 years (museum only).
R80 per adult (tour only). R35 per child under 15 years (tour only). Free for children under 5.
Prices for students (with valid student cards) and pensioners vary from adult fees.
Swim at Kraalbaai
Found at the aforementioned West Coast National Park, Kraalbaai is a wonderful spot for families, especially those with young kids, to visit.
This gorgeous, Mediterranean-looking lagoon space is ideal for safe swimming (especially as the water near the shore can be very shallow and calm at times). It also offers smooth, white stretches of beach to enjoy. Add to that, awesome, giant granite boulders and you have a picture-perfect beach setting!
Kraalbaai is especially busy during the spring and summer months. If you visit during spring, you can enjoy seeing the park’s seasonal wildflowers.
Kraalbaai is hugely popular for water sports and it is also home to its own resident houseboats (which you can rent out)… Both of which add to its sense of water fun.
There are also excellent, clean braai spots and picnic areas nearby so you are guaranteed a fun and safe day with your loved ones.
(To find out what you can and can’t do at Kraalbaai, please see SANParks’ visitor’s guide here.)
So go on, treat the family to a relaxing day at Kraalbaai!
West Coast National Park
Gate entry times:
September – March: 07:00 – 19:00 (Last vehicle entry at 18:30)
April to August: 07:00 – 18:00 (Last vehicle entry at 17:30)
Postberg (August – September only): 09:00 – 17:00 (Last entry to Postberg at 16:30)
Entry fees: Please see here for daily conservation and entry fees throughout the year.
Tel: +27 (0)22 772 2144
Email: reservations@sanparks.org
Web: www.sanparks.org/parks/west_coast
Explore Groote Post Country Market
Another glorious West Coast market to enjoy is the Groote Post Country Market.
Situated near Darling on this historic wine farm, visitors can enjoy a relaxing, country experience. Browse stalls with crafts, delicious food and drink offerings and other special finds.
Best of all, the market is child- and pet-friendly so you can bring the whole family along for the day! Just remember to keep your dogs leashed at all times.
Entry to the market is free but you are not allowed to bring your own food and drink inside. That’s no problem though because between all the tasty market eats and the esteemed restaurant, Hilda’s Kitchen, good food and drinks are sorted.
This market is especially fun for families: kids will love the rolling lawns, fun playground, awesome tractor rides and Zorb balls, available on market day.
Visit this lovely country market on the last Sunday of every month (except during winter when the market is closed).
Groote Post Country Market
Market date and times: Every last Sunday between 10:00 – 15:00, except during winter (May – July) when the market is closed.
Tel: +27 (0)22 451 2202
Email: mariaan@iloveyzer.co.za
Web: www.grootepost.co.za
Game Drive Fun at Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve
Buffelsfontein is a former cattle farm-turned game-and-nature reserve and a great spot to visit if you want to head on an exciting West Coast game drive.
Best of all, you can extend your stay and enjoy their lovely accommodation options, good food and serene farm setting.
This unique farm is home to some of Africa’s greatest animals, including lion, buffalo, white rhino and giraffe.
Choose between a full or half-day game drive – or even a full day trip (includes morning pickup, breakfast on arrival, guided morning game drive, lunch and departure).
Either way, at Buffelsfontein, you are sure to have a special experience in the bush!
Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve
Activity prices: POA. Bookings are essential for game drives and it is advisable to check-in one hour before the game drive’s set departure time.
Tel: +27 (0)22 451 2824
Email: info@buffelsfontein.co.za, bookings@buffelsfontein.co.za
Web: buffelsfontein.co.za
Let the Kids Swim and Play at Sunnypark
Situated in Langebaan, Sunnypark is a wonderful place for families to spend a day. In fact, it is essentially the ultimate adventure centre for families residing in or visiting the West Coast.
At Sunnypark, there are swimming pools (including a heated pool and a kiddies’ pool), a water slide, slip ‘n slide, 18-hole mini golf, a jungle gym, trampolines, pedal karts, braai facilities, paintball fun and more to enjoy!
Whether you visit for a few hours or spend the day at Sunnypark – the family is sure to have a blast!
Sunnypark Langebaan
Opening times:
Fridays: 13:00 – 18:00
Saturdays: 09:00 – 18:00
Sundays: 10:00 – 18:00
(Open during the week for special and group functions by arrangement/booking only.)
Activity prices: Vary according to the activity. However, you can buy a day pass for R140. This includes the entry fee and unlimited access to select activities.
Tel: +27 (0)82 379 0450
Web: www.sunnypark.co.za
These are just ten of the amazing experiences you can enjoy in the West Coast with kids…
Are there any you will be adding to your bucket list?
