Follow Di Brown’s footsteps as she visits Arendzicht Eagles Nest in Lamberts Bay, South Africa
I counted the steps as I walked across the grass and down onto the sand. Shells crunched under my flip flops until I kicked them off, dropped my towel and saw my footprints disappear as the waves came to cool me with their salty embrace.
It was only twenty-eight steps from my verandah to the breakers. Welcome to Arendzicht Eagles Nest in Lamberts Bay where the ocean is your playmate all day and the sound of the waves your lullaby at night.
Accommodation and Facilities
The Arendzicht Eagles Nest in Lamberts Bay is a face brick double story block right on the beach and has a variety of affordable self-catering accommodation.
The two large 3 bedroomed units with 2 bathrooms and spacious open plan kitchen, lounge, dining room area sleep 6 to 8 people. Choose downstairs for a patio and lawn mere steps from the beach, or the upstairs unit for the best beach views from your private balcony.
Three smaller apartments are suitable for 2 people and although they do not have sea views, they are still right on the beach and offer great value for money
All units have braai facilities, and really, what is better than a braai right at the beach, secure parking and an alarm system for peace of mind, and Wi-Fi and DSTV, but who needs that when the outside is practically in your lap.
Beach Sunsets
After my swim I sat at the table outside to witness sunset. To my right I watched the white water turn pink along the curving sweep of Main beach, and the aloes glowed orange in the sinking sun.
To my left the gannets of Bird Island appeared as a faint dark smudge as they circled on their final flights before settling down for the night, their incessant calls a muted whisper on the breeze.
What To Do:
Embrace the beaches
The sandy Main Beach is right in front of Arendzicht Eagles Nest in Lamberts Bay and is suitable for playing ball games, building sandcastles and swimming.
A short walk along this beach leads to a rocky area and a little further you will come to the Jakkals River bed and the abundant birdlife found on the water and the dunes there.
On the other side of the harbor, there are numerous tiny beaches separated by large rocky outcrops. These are also lovely places to explore, walk or just sit and watch the waves.
Bird Island
This tiny island is just 100 meters from the mainland and accessed via a causeway from the fishing harbor.
Thousands of blue-eyed Cape Gannets use this as their nesting site, one of only 6 breeding sites in the world for these extremely attractive birds. These birds are incredible to watch, either from the rocky beach or the double story bird hide/viewing building.
A small museum, shop and research center are also open to visitors to the island. A small entrance fee is charged.
Fresh Seafood and West Coast cooking
There are quite a few restaurants offering fresh seafood and West Coast fare in Lambert’s Bay. Highly recommended are Isabella’s situated right in the harbor, the Weskus Kombuis with outside tables and waterside views and a High Tide restaurant situated near the old crayfish factory.
A few kilometers out of Lamberts Bay is Muisbosskerm, a unique beachside restaurant, and opposite that, on the sea farm, Steenbokfontein is Die Plaaskombuis.
Foodies will find plenty to tempt their palates in Lambert’s Bay, and wine lovers should pop into the Teubes Tasting room next to High Tides, visit the Sir Lambert Estate or book an exclusive food and wine pairing dinner with sommelier Nelda van Zyl.
Take to the seas
Take a boat trip and explore this fascinating coast from the boat deck. Bookings can be made at Isabella’s Restaurant in the harbor. Or book a guided tour via the Lambert’s Bay Tourism office: 027 432 1000 [email protected]
Find Arendzicht Eagles Nest Guesthouse in Lambert’s Bay on the West Coast Way Wild Route.
Open 7 days a week
Distance from Cape Town: 74km
Where: 117 Voortrekker Road, Lamberts Bay
Coordinates: -32.09002297196564, 18.30978589814754
Contact: (c) +27 (0)83 458 1575 | [email protected] | westcoasteaglesnest.co.za
Visit Teubes Lambert’s Bay Tasting Room and Restaurant
Where: Strand Street, Kreefhuis Building, High Tide Restaurant
Contact: +27 (0)27 213 2377 and or email [email protected]
Website: www.teubeswines.co.za
The Roaming Giraffe is Di Brown. Travel writer and blogger, mother, grandmother, avid reader, tourism professional, learner photographer, social media influencer, Twitter fan and lover of Instagram.
West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists
Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.
Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way:
Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve.
For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.