Churchhaven, Cape West Coast
Ask the average person and they will not have heard of Churchhaven, or Church Haven as it is often written. Some will tell you that it is somewhere on the West Coast, and they would be right. But few know that it is hidden away in the West Coast National Park, just outside Postberg Flower Reserve. It doesn't even make it onto the average map, despite lying just outside Kraalbaai.
And yet, Churchhaven is a beautiful little fishing village. Small but with enviable examples of restored white-washed fishermen's houses, with more recent and modern renditions having adopted a similar style. The little fishing village of Churchhaven also lies in an enviable position. Postberg is a section of the Western Cape Nature Reserve that only opens at a certain time of the year (August and September) and is one of the best places in the country to catch a glimpse of Namaqualand spring flowers. Through the reserve you can do the Postberg two-day hiking trail that explores an incredible coastline of beaches.
Postberg and Churchhaven can be found up the R27, roughly an hour's drive from Cape Town. The West Coast National Park lies about half way between Yzerfontein and Langebaan. Kraalbaai, just south of Postberg, is where those who agree that Langebaan and Club Mykonos have become overdeveloped flee. Both it and Churchhaven are sanctuaries in a sense, and provide a wonderful space away, despite the proximity to Cape Town.
Kraal Baai or Kraalbaai, is part of the greater Langebaan Lagoon. This corner remains stark and beautiful and is home to sea birds and ostriches. But it can be very popular during peak season and over weekends, particularly as one is allowed to braai, picnic and fish here. But come here during the week, or at dusk, and you are more likely to find it desolate and beautiful. Look out for the landmark rock known as the Preekstoel.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Los Gelukkie
Los Gelukkie offers accommodation in Paternoster in a comfortable self-catering cottage for two. Set at the far end of the farm, the overwhelming...
Oppi Stuppi
Located on the beachfront in Langebaan, Oppi Stuppi benefits from having a private beach area and it is walking distance from shops and restauran...
Duifieklip
Located in St Helena Bay, Duifieklip is a beachfront holiday home accommodating eight guests. The house is set a mere 40m from the high water mar...
Casa Tierra
Casa Tierra is just over an hour drive from Cape Town, come and enjoy a peaceful breakaway with your favourite people to the quiet seaside town o...
Villa Insolventa
Villa Insolventa is ideal for a visit to Yzerfontein and the West Coast, being within walking distance from the beach. The Villa can accommodate ...
Harmonie Two
Offering comfortable, self catering accommodation in Paternoster, Harmonie Two is a thatch house situated just 25 metres from the beach in the qu...
Sunset Cottage Langebaan
Situated a stone's throw from the sea, Sunset Cottage is a comfortable holiday apartment accommodating four guests. The apartment forms part of t...
Fork West Unit 3
Fork West Unit 3 offers Elands Bay accommodation at Fork West Holiday Apartments. The apartments are located on the West Coast Way Wild Route and...
Things to do in the area
Self Drive Saldanha to Paternoster
Route: Saldanha, Langebaan, Churchhaven, Postberg Nature Reserve, Velddrif and Laaiplek, Dwarskersbos, Cape Columbine, PaternosterDescription: Th...
Eve's Trail
30 kilometres in 2 and a half days: One of five slackpacker trails that take place in the Cape West Coast Biosphere, Eve's Trail is a wilderness ...
Noteworthy attractions
Bird Island Nature Reserve
The world’s most accessible Cape gannet colony can be found on an island, linked to Lambert’s Bay by a breakwater wall. Bird Island also gives sh...
Darling Wine Route
Although traditionally part of the Swartland, Darling is now a demarcated wine district and home to her own wine route, including five wine cella...
West Coast National Park
Just inland from the secluded harbour of Saldanha Bay one finds the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, focal point of the West Coast National ...
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Rocherpan enthusiasts who head off along the West Coast to visit this nature reserve near Velddrif will possibly mention to you that the bird lif...
Langebaan Golf Club
The Golf Course at Langebaan Country Club is a links-type course, designed as a figure 8 winding around residential stands. Located on the unspoi...
Verlorenvlei
Verlorenvlei is a long estuary stretching between the villages of Elands Bay and Redelinghuys, some 25 kilometres south of Lambert’s Bay. It is n...
West Coast Fossil Park
For the visitor, the highlight of the West Coast Fossil Park is the ‘live’ exhibit of an ongoing excavation of early Pliocene fossils (fossils fr...
Postberg Flower Reserve
The Postberg Flower Reserve is not always available for you to visit. Even though it forms part of the West Coast National Park, this part of it ...
Darling Wind Farm
On the hills just outside Darling, roughly 70 kilometres from Cape Town, stand four wind-generated mills. It's known as an Eskom demonstrator sit...
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