Britannia Bay is a West Coast seaside village with a difference. The bay is well protected and the water is slightly warmer than most places on the West Coast, due to the Benguela current not entering the bay. This attracts Southern Right and Humpback whales for up to ten months of the year and together with the resident Heaviside’s (endemic to the area) and Dusky dolphins, make for good viewing.
There is a safe launching site for small boats, so water sports are a popular pastime, unless you want to take things quietly and walk along or just relax on the long stretches of safe, pristine beaches. Surfers prefer the “heaven” and “hell” surfer’s corners while anglers and divers can take the 10 minute boat trip to Seal Island for fishing, diving and Cray-fishing.
Britannia Bay is home to over 200 bird species and the black oyster catchers are happy to share the beaches with you. Also of interest to the birder are the neighbouring Berg River estuary and the Rocherpan Nature Reserve.
Britannia Bay is 160 km from Cape Town, an easy 90 minute drive up the Cape West Coast. It is 35km from Vredenburg (the main commercial centre of the region) and 45 km from Saldanha Bay.
| More info on The West Coast area |
