Langebaan is a holiday town situated on the edge of the Langebaan Lagoon, which joins Saldanha bay. It is about 110km north of Cape Town, off the west coast road (the R27). It is known for having the warmest calmest water on the west coast, its long white beach, spring flowers and its holiday atmosphere.
kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing (the prevailing winds and relative calm of the bay provide superb conditions)
Kayaking in the lagoon.
Horse riding
The Strandloper restaurant, an outdoor seafood restaurant
Spring flowers
White sandy beach
Saldanah (20km away)
Vredenburg (28km away)
The Langebaan Lagoon was formed by the rising and falling of sea levels during pre-historic times. This is unlike most lagoons which form where fresh water rivers enter the sea (like Milnerton lagoon). As a result, Langebaan Lagoon is a purely salt water lagoon.
As far back as 500 000 years ago, early Homo sapiens were probably present in the area, living in groups and hunting small game, displacing carnivores, such as lions, from their kills and gathering plant foods. They made fire as protection and for cooking and probably made simple shelters from branches. They probably used animal skins for warmth and clothing. They made wooden and stone tools.
The town's European history began about 400 years back. In the 1600's, the Dutch East India Company used Saldanha Bay's calm waters as a repair location for their sailing ships. The French used Schaapeneiland (situated a stone's throw from Langebaan beach) as a storage place for whale oil and seal hides (they called it "Isle à la Biche"). More recently, the whaling station was situated at Donkergat and is still visible from the town. A reminder of Langebaan's whaling history is the harpoon gun outside the Municipal Buildings.
5 Egret Street Langebaan |
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