Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
If you ask me, the Langebaan Lagoon is the ULTIMATE spot for a beach day.
It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Cape Town, but it’s so worth it because the calm, shallow water is ideal for swimming. Oh, yeah, and you won’t freeze to death, either!
It took me three summers in Cape Town before I discovered this absolute gem, but now I’m hooked and I can’t get enough. So if you’re looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a blissful beach day, then the Langebaan Lagoon is the perfect spot.
Let’s dive in – no pun intended.
About Langebaan Lagoon
Langebaan Lagoon is a saltwater lagoon in West Coast National Park. It’s 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) long in total, and up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide.
You can also access the lagoon via a few different beaches, but the one in Kraalbaai is definitely the best. It’s pristine, sheltered from the wind, and generally pretty quiet.
This portion of the lagoon is ideal for swimming in. It’s much calmer and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean, so I definitely prefer swimming here over the Clifton and Camps Bay beaches.
How far is the Langebaan Lagoon from Cape Town?
The lagoon is about 126 kilometers (78 miles) from Cape Town, and the only way to get here is to drive. If you need a rental car, then I recommend Discover Cars, as they make it easy to find the best deals.
It should take you about 1.5 hours to drive from the city centre to Kraalbaai, where the best beach is. There’s plenty of parking there!
How much does it cost to visit West Coast National Park?
During the summer, it costs R74 for South Africans and R116 for international visitors to enter West Coast National Park. There’s a booth where you’ll stop and pay on your way in. It’s best to bring a credit or debit card, as many of South Africa’s National Parks are now cashless.
And if you can put on a decent South African accent, you might just get in at the local rate!
What facilities are there at the beach?
There are toilets and taps to wash your feet at the beach, but that’s about it. If you want it, then I suggest that you bring it with you!
Of course, you can leave the National Park and drive to Langebaan for sustenance and supplies. The town is about 15 minutes away. There’s a big Spar supermarket and a couple of cafes and restaurants around.
What to bring to the Langebaan Lagoon
If you want to go straight from Cape Town to the lagoon without any detours, I recommend loading up your car with the following:
- Towels
- Lots of sunscreen
- A cooler box
- Beach snacks
- Plenty of water
- Loo roll – just in case!
What else is there to do in West Coast National Park?
The park is famous for birding. My friends and I actually went flamingo spotting before heading to the beach when we visited the lagoon. You can find them around this area.
I doubt you’ll want to swim here during the winter, but August and September are actually popular times to visit the park because that’s when the wildflowers are in bloom. I haven’t visited during flower season yet, but you can find more info on that here.
There are also a few different hiking trails, which again, I’m personally yet to explore. There are a handful of shorter hikes as well as some multi-day walks for the true outdoor enthusiasts among us.
Can I stay overnight in West Coast National Park?
Yes! Most overnighters stay in nearby Langebaan, where there are plenty of hotels and guesthouses to choose from. However, it’s possible to stay out in the middle of the lagoon on one of the Kraalbaai houseboats! How cool is that?
This is a real bucket list stay for me. I can’t imagine how beautiful it would be to wake up out in the middle of that azure water! Prices average around R4,600 per night during the summer months, although you might be able to snag a deal by shopping around for the best rates.
Click here to book your stay on the Kraalbaai Houseboats!