West Coast National Park
West Coast National Park
West Coast National Park
4.5
About
The West Coast National Park hosts vast concentrations of migratory birds, and is an ideal spot for appreciating the colorful flora endemic to the region. There are picnic sites, hiking trails, and opportunities to go mountain biking or whale watching.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
538 reviews
Excellent
313
Very good
187
Average
28
Poor
4
Terrible
6
Cat G
Cape Town Central, South Africa10 contributions
Nov 2020
We booked to stay at Joanne's B cottage and paid nearly R2000 for a unit that wasn't worth R500! Actually, if they paid me, I wouldn't go back there. Whilst the view is great, if you don't have relaxing chairs to sit in to look at it what good is it? you can only sit on a hard bench for so long... moreover they have made no effort to design the cottage with windbreaks - bearing in mind wind is a regular affair on that bit of coast. Our barbecue fire nearly blew away and in the end we had to sit around the corner in the carport, tucked behind our car, to get any relief from the wind. But worst was to come.
On entering the bedroom we discovered huge blobs of mould growing on the ceiling above the main bed. Moreover the solar panels had given up the ghost and there was no electricity. There was hair all over the linen and the stove was not working. Cleaning staff did travel through to fix it after we complained, but after they left, the geyser, which had been working earlier, had stopped working and we either had to have a freezing shower or none. The staff are lovely and friendly and helpful but the final product is a disgrace, and we felt their lack of cleanliness poses a COVID risk, after all, if they can't clean up the previous visitors hair from the sheets, how well are they getting rid of invisible viruses?
On entering the bedroom we discovered huge blobs of mould growing on the ceiling above the main bed. Moreover the solar panels had given up the ghost and there was no electricity. There was hair all over the linen and the stove was not working. Cleaning staff did travel through to fix it after we complained, but after they left, the geyser, which had been working earlier, had stopped working and we either had to have a freezing shower or none. The staff are lovely and friendly and helpful but the final product is a disgrace, and we felt their lack of cleanliness poses a COVID risk, after all, if they can't clean up the previous visitors hair from the sheets, how well are they getting rid of invisible viruses?
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris L
Overberg District, South Africa36 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We visited at height of flower season just as park opened after lockdown. We stayed for a few nights in Abrahamskraal cottage. Comfortable beds and well appointed, but really needs maintenance with toilet leaking over floor, shower heads NOT working, back door broken and unable to open. The traffic was understandably heavy, but there is no excuse for the rude speeding drivers - please enforce speed limit: animals all flee! Ruins the park experience. ALSO: advertised gate opening/closing times for Postberg given on map (handed out) and website, completely DIFFER from actual times! Ask at entrance gate to confirm. Last entrance to Postberg closed at 3pm, and gate closed for last exit at 4pm - giving just an hour! Not 4.30 and 5.30! Management urgently needs to attend to communication and maintenance.
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KIM K
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa61 contributions
Jan 2020
Make sure your Wildcard is renewed before entering the is park, they dont do it at the gate and will not give you a refund at the office. The lady at the information office at Geelbek was not helpful at all, ie take a map and do the trail of your choice, no advice, no questions asked they could be so much more helpful but they could have cared less!. We thought the 1.8km trail Tsaarsbank Trail would be one to do as we had children and a granny with us so it was the only shorter trail. While pretty enough I was not blown away, we spent more time looking at the dead seals and pups and picking up litter on the beach and did not actually get to see the shipwreck, not well signposted. The litter was disappointing and I know this is a worldwide phenomena but there should be someone dedicated to cleaning that section of the beach and making sure its free from litter before the day begins.....my opinion. My advice to someone going in, be prepared if you are going to do a walk, take water, take food, snacks etc Geelbek is expensive!, hats, sunscreen, walking stick, walking shoes unless you are doing the beach trail. For the non walkers there are picnic spots in the park and for those with children there is a beautiful lagoon for swimming. Speed Limits should be enforced, there were many people travelling in excess of the speed limit we even came across a freshly squashed male boomslang on the road.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
postscript65
Hermanus, South Africa1,153 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
I had been wondering for years about the huge fuss made about the Spring flowers which occur naturally along the west coast. A two hour drive around Postberg, a portion of the WCNP only opened in Aug & Sept made me realise why. The blankets of vivid colours are quite stunning especially against the backdrop of the azure lagoon and natural rocky outcrops. The downside of a limited viewing season of course multiplies the traffic but you can always slip into a quiet sandy bay or watch the flamingoes and other birdlife from the hides at Geelbeek.
Make sure it’s a sunny warm day as like sunflowers the display follows the sun!
Make sure it’s a sunny warm day as like sunflowers the display follows the sun!
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BertusJHB
Randburg, South Africa317 contributions
Jan 2021
We have visited the park many times in all seasons and the experience is totally different depending the season and the weather. Our latest visit was late January 2021.
After the winter rains it is a place of beauty with an abundance of wild flowers, wildlife and birdlife. After the dry summer the landscape can be harsh and dry. The scenery of the rough Atlantic ocean and coast and the Langebaan lagoon is, however, always something special.
In short you can visit any time if do you appreciate nature in all its guises. If you only appreciate beautiful wildflowers, pick your time of visit carefully after the winter rains.
We will visit again and again.
After the winter rains it is a place of beauty with an abundance of wild flowers, wildlife and birdlife. After the dry summer the landscape can be harsh and dry. The scenery of the rough Atlantic ocean and coast and the Langebaan lagoon is, however, always something special.
In short you can visit any time if do you appreciate nature in all its guises. If you only appreciate beautiful wildflowers, pick your time of visit carefully after the winter rains.
We will visit again and again.
Written March 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria
Moss Vale, Australia20 contributions
Jan 2023
What a glorious hidden gem. I don't understand the bad reviews. My family and I all headed up here for the day and we were so pleasantly surprised. It was absolutely amazing! The water in the lagoon is like something out of a movie or Thailand, it was warm and shallow and we even found a lone seal that swam right into the shallows to catch fish. We saw several animals, duika, mongoose, small bush mouse as well as heaps of lovely birds. The restaurant that has such bad reviews was delightful. All the weaver birds and guinea fowl roaming around out the back and the menu had good choices, sandwiches, wraps, calamari, burgers, drinks and reasonably priced. We entered through the Langebaan gate which was just picturesque. I would totally recommend taking the time to trip north for the day and see this little marvel.
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spenceley2015
Cape Town, South Africa325 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Entrance st Lucia, cost approximately ZAR100 pp. Have I.D and car registration #. Pack picnic lunch. No shops within the reserve. Give yourself at least 2 hours each way to and from Cape Vidal. We were promised to see 4 of the big 5. Only 1 but plenty wild life. We arrived at Vidal at high tide. The snorkeling was not good, especially with wind blowing and dangerous currents. A few starving hawks grabbed bread rolls from our hands! Stunning beach but beware of the strong currents. We headed south mud afternoon stopping at most hides. The park and its animals came alive towards late afternoon and stunning sunsets on St Lucia Estuary. A memorable experience all round. We did the trip twice and thoroughly enjoyed it all regardless of not seeing the Big 4!
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NEH45
Cape Town Central, South Africa21 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
I have been coming to the West Coast National Park since 2003 and never had a disappointing time. Everything about it has always been perfect… the weather, the beaches and the beautiful water .. so warm. Unfortunately this year started off well ( we go every year) until we all (6 of us) got bitten by what looks like sand fleas. Ravaged is actually a bitter description. Sadly putting a bit of a damper on our long weekend getaway there. We have never had this experience before and to be honest were shocked! We had to come home and basically disinfect everything and wash it before it came in the house .. including ourselves. Such a pity and I do hope the SANPARkS do something about it. Sadly they may only if foreigners complain and let me tell you they will if they get ravaged the way we were.
Written February 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Been a few places
Epsom, UK1,073 contributions
Jan 2020
The West Coast National Park is a pleasant place to spend a day but it doesn't compare to many of the other national parks in South Africa. I came expecting hikes with views but was dissapointed and we spent most fo our day exploring in the car and checking out the avifauna from the various hids dotted around. It was good to see ostrich and tortoises along the way and we checked out the view point offering a lovely panorama, Despite all of this I felt this national park just lacked a little sparke.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
Johannesburg, South Africa584 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
This was my first visit to Langebaan and o was keen to explore the area as see the local . What I didn’t know is that the entire lagoon is enclosed within the West Coast National Park which ensures that it is pristine and unspoiled.
There are lots of activities available including hiking, mountain biking, swimming and wonderful bird hides. We also crossed over to the Atlantic Ocean side of the park with its magnificent sea and wild beaches. A great sag out.
There are lots of activities available including hiking, mountain biking, swimming and wonderful bird hides. We also crossed over to the Atlantic Ocean side of the park with its magnificent sea and wild beaches. A great sag out.
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Can you please let me know if there is a free entry date/s in September - if so - what date/s is it and also what is the procoll now with Covid 19, obviously masks and what else?
Written August 25, 2020
Mese migliore per visitarlo
Written January 23, 2017
Hi, I would say between July and October as this is the rainy season. You will probably be rewarded by beautiful flowers that also attract thousands of people every year! But then it might be necessary to book well in advance.
Written January 25, 2017
Hi. Is there accommodation available in the park?
Thank you Mia
Written August 16, 2016
Hi, Mia
Yes! Do yourself a favour and book at the Abrahamskraal Cottage! What a fantastic place in the middle of nature!
Written August 24, 2016
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