Doringbaai, Cape West Coast

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Western Cape Destinations

Doringbaai, Cape West Coast

Doringbaai
Cape Gannets, Cape West Coast

Further up the West Coast even than Lamberts Bay and Elands Bay, Doringbaai lies just south of Strandfontein and Pependorp, deep in the heart of 'gone fishing' land where time slows virtually to a crawl, and the sea and the sky become your daily barometers.

Doringbaai is essentially a little fishing village that used to be known as Thornbay. It's well known as a bay where the Southern Right whales enter every year to calve between May to November. It's a charming little village ideal for getting away from it all, but not for those seeking constant entertainment, unless the sounds of crashing waves, water birds and the constant proximity of Doringbaai lighthouse are your kind of thing.

Black Oyster Catcher, Cape West Coast
The lighthouse is one of the prominent features of staying here, and it's a particularly pretty lighthouse that has elicited a fair amount of interest lately, and was built in 1963. Walking deserted beaches, hiking trails not only in the surrounding mountains but on the hills close to the beach that grant you a bird's eye view of the whales, a world-renowned succulent nursery, and access to the Namaqualand flowers during late winter and early spring are all reasons for your heading out here, up the deserted, wind-swept, but utterly gorgeous West Coast.

Today the remnants of a thriving fish processing factory stand, lambasted by waves during the dire days of winter. It tells the tale of the days when there was an abundance of pilchards and sardines in the area. Today you're still allowed to feast on black and white mussels and lobsters, if you're prepared to collect them once you're issued with a licence, and if there is no red tide.

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Featured Attractions in (or near) Doringbaai

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 shelter to thousands of cormorants and penguins, whilst Cape fur seals can still be found on the rocks on the sea side of the island. The three hectare Bird Island ... more information

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 Park. Thousands of seabirds roost on sheltered islands, pristine golden beaches stretch endlessly into the early morning mist and brooding salt ... more information

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On Holiday in Doringbaai

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• Cape West Coast Accommodation
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Also see Things To Do in Cape West Coast or check out Things To Do in Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.

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