
The bay has always been a popular sailing venue. Today however the tall ships have largely been replaced by wind-surfers and the kite boarders that swarm in the sky above the wide beaches of Langebaan displaying their derring-do, nerve wracking to watch while sitting on the patio of a Caribbean style restaurant sipping a daiquiri. A little further to the south the bay transforms itself into the magnificent 15 km long Langebaan Lagoon, the centerpiece of the West Coast National Park. The lagoon, being purely salt water, is unlike any other in South Africa and a wetland of major ecological importance. Here the water, protected from the natural elements, is crystal clear and amazingly balmy especially since it’s the icy Benguela current that feeds the bay.
The port of Saldanha nestles in the bay’s biggest inlet, Hoedjiesbaai, to the north. In 1835 Lord Lichenstein stated that it is a wonder that the colony had not been established in this large and convenient bay, but an almost total lack of fresh water had stood in the way. The problem was solved in 1942 when the South African Corps of Engineers proceeded to lay a pipeline to Saldanha from the Berg River 30 km further up the coast. This was done, not out of concern for the thirsty inhabitants, but to provide water to the dozens of British merchant ships that took shelter there during the war. Today there is more than enough to make the ice for drinkers in the Mykonos casino, as well as to water the three fine golf courses all within twenty minutes of the town.
During spring a stroll along the rugged West Coast becomes, to put it bluntly, like walking down a garden embankment in heaven. Almost overnight the fynbos comes out of hibernation, and the entire region is blanketed by millions of multicolored wild flowers, a breathtaking site. The event is legendry and visitors from all over the country and abroad come to appreciate it. Dozens of tours and flower shows are staged to make it possible for them to enjoy it even more at their leisure. One family where so awestruck by the bay and it’s surrounds that they decided to stay.

Over time the farm, that they had renamed Blue Water Bay, was sub-divided and the portion they’d retained was distributed amongst their nine children. The old shack that had by then already become an elegantly gabled home underwent further transformation is today known as Blue Bay Lodge.

The lodge offers 32 deluxe en-suite rooms at very reasonable rates. Every room has a separate entrance, which make them ideal for weddings and other formal or informal private functions. All have dstv, a hairdryer, and coffee making facilities. For those looking for a little more peace and quiet there are eight fully serviced self-catering units all within a stone’s throw from the Lodge itself. Each cottage has a private braai area, a spacious lounge with TV, and range in size from one to three bedrooms. Overnight accommodation includes a lavish buffet breakfast in the Lodge’s tastefully decorated nouvelle cuisine restaurant that offers panoramic views of the bay. The restaurant accommodates 120 diners and, while the Carte menu caters for all tastes, it features fresh seafood, home baked breads and wide variety of wines from a well-stocked cellar.
There is a games room with a pool table, table tennis, pinball and video games. For the more active, the lodge offers canoes, a tennis court, a play-park with a trampoline and, in addition to the kilometers of beachfront; two swimming pools, one that is solar heated. The friendly, professional staff can set up nature walks, horse riding, golf, sailing trips, fishing and deep-sea diving. And after a such a long day, what could be more relaxing than a massage in the Lodge’s own beauty salon that has on hand a range of body treatment packages.
Whether it's a peaceful weekend break, a holiday with your family, or a well-catered, private conference that you need, take an hour’s drive along the West Coast road - the R27 – to the West Coast’s finest.
General information
Telephone 27 (0) 22 714 1177
Facsimile 27 (0) 22 714 2400
info@blouwaterbaai.com
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