Strandfontein is one of the few coastal holiday resorts on the West Coast of South Africa. It can be reached from the south by a coastal road that extends beyond Velddrif, a town at the mouth of the Berg River - one of only four perennial westward flowing rivers between Cape Town and Angola. The other three rivers are the Olifants near Strandfontein, the Orange which forms the boundary between South Africa and Namibia, and the Kunene which is the boundary between Namibia and Angola. This western coastline of Africa between Cape Town and Angola is truly spectacular because it is so unspoiled and sparsely populated.
The road from Velddrif is tarred in places and we all hope that in the future it will be tarred right up to Strandfontein.
To reach Strandfontein from the North you come off the N7 at either Klawer or Vanrhynsdorp. From there you travel through Vredendal and Lutzville and on to the coast. This route takes you through the vast vineyards of the wine route in the lower Olifants River valley.
The beach at Strandfontein stretches for kilometres and is fringed in stretches by cliffs where you will find polished rock faces with striations of color. (See the photographs). At certain times of the year both whales and dolphins can be seen.
Along this coastline black and white mussels and lobsters can be collected but please take note: firstly, you require an appropriate licence and secondly, phone the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to ensure that the mussels have not been affected by what is known as red tide. Telephone: 021-434 4457 or 0861123626. |
