Langebaan
Close to the ground.
GPS: S 33 05.468 E 018 01.923 pop. 8,000 | elevation 7 m/23 ft
Langebaan is a small beach town with a big following for its wind-fueled sports. Its glassy lagoon and reliable winds make it an ideal spot for windsurfing and kiteboarding between September and April. Langebaan's downtown is just a few shops and restaurants along Bree Street and Main Road, but the beaches and streets fill up on the weekends when visitors from Cape Town head up along the west coast for a quick dose of R&R.
Cape Sports Center
Cape Sports Center is stocked with the latest gear for kiteboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and mountain biking. In addition to gear rental, they also provide lessons.
Oliphantskop Farm Inn
Horseback riding is available at Oliphantskop Farm Inn where scenic rides take you up through the surrounding hills for views over the Langebaan lagoon. Rides depart daily at 9:30am, 11am, 2:30pm and 4pm. Booking is recommended.
The three blocks of Bree St that form the downtown area near the intersection of Main Road have a few small shopping centers and a handful of craft shops and galleries.
Koewheni Center
A much larger shopping center, just around the corner from Bree Street is the Koewheni Center, which has a SuperSpar, bottle shop, pharmacy, Standard Bank and FNB and ABSA ATMs.
Budget
Oliphantskop Farm Inn
Oliphantskop Farm Inn is a renovated 120-year-old farmhouse and horse stables on the outskirts of town. The farm's rustic architecture is at once charming and impressive. Self-catering fieldstone chalets are built on top of outcropped boulders and en-suite rooms in the main farmhouse have 2-foot-thick stone walls. The farm also has a restaurant and bar.
Horseback riding is available at Oliphantskop Farm Inn where scenic rides take you up through the surrounding hills for views over the Langebaan lagoon. Rides depart daily at 9:30am, 11am, 2:30pm and 4pm. Booking is recommended.
Mid-range
Gecko Beach House
Gecko Beach House is a lovely, recently built four-bedroom guesthouse located just beside the beach. Each room has an extra-long luxuriously dressed bed, a modern bathroom and a private patio that opens out to views of the lagoon.
Friday Island
Friday Island is located right on the beach. A handful of the 12 rooms face the lagoon and have patios with lounge chairs, otherwise you can make your way out to the small private beach. The lodge has an attached restaurant and Cape Sports Center is just next door.
Froggy's
Froggy's is an intimate restaurant and art gallery and by far the best eatery in town. Though the restaurant has a host of delectable seafood dishes and their Moroccan lamb shank is killer, try to hold out for one of its famed curries and save room for dessert. Reservations suggested.
Pearly's Restaurant
Pearly's Restaurant is just steps from the water. It's a casual eatery with indoor and outdoor seating and a range of menu options including seafood, pizza, pasta and salads. You can frequently see kite surfers in action while you dine.
Die Strandloper
Die Strandloper is more a regular event than a restaurant. Located on the beach just north of Langebaan, they offer a set 10-course seafood meal, grilling everything from mussels to crayfish over an open fire pit, while a beach-going local strums the guitar. The open-air dining room and bench seating are littered with requisite nautical accoutrements and drinks are available at the bar or BYOB. Reservations are required and you should expect to spend the entire afternoon. It's a great place for kids.
Black Velvet Coffee Café
Black Velvet Coffee Café is a cute outdoor eatery with picnic table dining right on the street. They serve breakfast all day as well as sandwiches, packed spuds with toppings galore, sweets, smoothies and gourmet coffee.