Velddrif, Western Cape

Velddrif, one of the small seaside villages along the West Coast and just over an hours’ drive from Cape Town is the perfect destination if you are looking for peace, tranquility and silence. The village lies just a few kilometres from where the Berg River meets the sea at St Helena Bay.

Life in Velddrif is all about fishing, birdwatching, beaches and Bokkom Lane. The beaches form part of the West Coast Whale Route and the Berg River Estuary is known as a “wader hotspot” and home to 30 000 birds including Flamingo, Pelican and Spoonbill. In season, Southern Right Whales can be seen from the shore and Dolphins can be seen from Velddrif’s beaches all year round.

When your time out is not all about nature, take a stroll down the oldest street in the town, Bokkom Lane and watch the fishermen sell their catch of the day straight off their boats, buy a piece of West Coast art and sip a cocktail at one of the restaurants while watching the tide come in.

Velddrif is full of that old world charm and is one part of the country where you can literally feel time slow down and feel the effects of the sea and landscape relaxing more and more each day.

The area offers plenty of accommodation from quaint B&B’s, Guesthouses and self-catering cottages to a few camping sites scattered around.

Places to Visit

Things to do and see

• Postberg Flower Reserve
• Rocherpan Nature Reserve
• Berg River Estuary
• SA Fisheries Museum
• Bokkom Avenue
• Marina Clunie River Art Studio
• Die Vishoekie Arts & Crafts
• West Coast Fossil Park
• Tolbossie Padstal
• Klein Tafelberg 4x4
• The Snack Shack
• Bergrivier Golf Course
• West Coast Mall

Climate

The area receives most of its rainfall between June and August and enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate most of the year.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 15˚C and 27˚C.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 8˚C and 17˚C.

Transport

There are daily domestic and international flights into Cape Town International Airport and Velddrif is approximately 160 km away via the R27.  Car rental companies are located at the Airport.

History

The towns name originated from the time when a local farmer, Theunis Smit, brought his stock to find a place to graze across the river and found that they needed to pass through a drift in the “veld” (field). In 1899 the first pont (pontoon ferry) was built to cross the river.

Velddrif evolved around the fishing industry, with Laaiplek (loading place) serving as a port to transport goods to Cape Town. Fishing is still a major industry in Velddrif with “bokkoms” (dried fish) an ever-present sight around the village.