Situated a mere 30km from Cape Town, The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve boasts spectacular views down fynbos slopes, across the cityscape and over 7km of rocky, sandy coastline to the ocean and beyond.

Located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route

West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature

West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.

Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way: Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve. For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on  on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route and is one of the few viewpoints in the world from where you can see two proclaimed World Heritage Sites, namely Table Mountain and Robben Island.

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve:

The reserve conserves three critically threatened vegetation types and its rich biodiversity also embraces a wetland, 559 plant species, almost 50 mammal species, over 160 bird species and 30 reptile species, as well as various amphibians.

The nature reserve office and environmental education center are located on the oceanside of the reserve in the Eerstesteen Resort which also offers great picnic and barbecue facilities alongside the pristine white beach. Wooden boardwalks lead over the low dunes to the beach, which makes for wonderful long walks in either direction but, as this is an exposed stretch of coastline, the surf is often too rough for safe swimming.

Travel tip:

Beaches at Blaauwberg Nature Reserve:

Further along are several other interesting bays and beaches, including Derdesteen, a popular surf spot, and Kreeftebaai, where the beach is separated from the sea by a rocky section of shoreline. Next along is Kelpbaai, named for its kelp beds, and Haakgat which is popular with surfers and kitesurfers. The last beach before Melkbosstrand is Holbaai (hollow bay), but whether it was named by anglers for its fishing hollows, or by surfers for its hollow barrel waves, is uncertain.

The Battle of Blaauwberg:

Also within the conservation area of Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is the site of the 1806 Battle of Blaauwberg, which was waged on the plains below Blaauwberg Hill and the slopes of neighbouring Kleinberg in January 1806. The British troops landed from warships anchored off Losperd’s Bay (now called Melkbosstrand) and, beating the Dutch, they established British rule in South Africa for the second time. The battle ended with the signing of the provisional Articles of Capitulation on 10 January under a milkwood tree in the area now known as Woodstock. The ‘Treaty Tree’ still stands today, and in 1967 was designated a National Monument. Several buildings which were constructed on Blaauwberg Hill for radar and artillery purposes during World War II can also still be visited today.

The area also contains World War II relics, as well as shell middens left by Khoisan ‘strandlopers’ from precolonial days.

Things to do:

Cape Skydiving Adventure

A 35-minute drive north along the R27 or West Coast road as it’s more commonly known, is all it takes for you to be whisked from the Cape Town city centre to the closest skydiving drop zone to South Africa’s tourism capital, boasting one of the best views in the world from altitude.

On the way up in the aircraft to your tandem skydive, the view is breathtaking. To the south, the city bowl lies sandwiched between towering Table Mountain and bustling Table Bay harbour. Further south, and to the far side of the mountain, lies False Bay, Hout Bay and the splendour of the south peninsula as far as Cape Point. To the west, you will spot Robben Island and the Atlantic Ocean breaking on the beautiful Cape West Coast, as famous for its icy water temperature as it’s mouth-watering crayfish. To the north, the Langebaan lagoon, a great kitesurfing and windsurfing venue.

Skydiving is the one item that features on almost every bucket list. At Skydive Cape Town, their dedicated staff and internationally qualified tandem masters are on hand to make your skydiving dream a reality. There’s no better way to experience Cape Town than in freefall. Go on – take the plunge!

Where: Brakfontein Road, Cape Farms

Contact: +27 (0)82 800 6290 | [email protected] | www.skydivecapetown.co.za

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is located on the West Coast Way Cape Way Route