See Cape Gannets at Lambert’s Bay

On South Africa’s West Coast, where the Atlantic runs cold and the fishing towns feel unhurried, Lambert’s Bay guards one of the country’s more unlikely wildlife spectacles. Just beyond the harbour, connected to the mainland by nothing more than a low breakwater wall, sits Bird Island — three hectares of bare rock that host one of the most accessible seabird colonies on Earth.

What makes Bird Island unusual isn’t just what lives there, but how easy it is to reach. Of the handful of places in the world where Cape gannets breed, this is the only one you can walk to. Visitors pay a small conservation fee, cross the breakwater on foot, and within minutes find themselves standing metres from tens of thousands of birds, no boat trip, no long hike, just a short walk across the harbour wall into the middle of one of the West Coast’s great natural spectacles.

Gannets aren’t the only residents. Crowned cormorants nest on platforms built specifically for them, or tuck themselves into the rigging of abandoned fishing boats left in the harbour. African penguins shelter on parts of the island too, and Cape fur seals haul out on the seaward rocks, sunning themselves within sight, and sometimes within reach, of the birds.

Bird Island isn’t grand in scale. But it’s a rare thing: a wild, working seabird colony that has recovered against the odds, sitting at the edge of a small fishing town, reachable simply by walking there. It’s the kind of experience that lingers, a short walk that ends somewhere genuinely wild.

Beyond the island, Lambert’s Bay itself is worth lingering in. It’s a small, working fishing harbour known locally as “the Diamond of the West Coast”, famous for crayfish, fresh seafood restaurants, long white beaches, and a slower pace of life about two and a half hours’ drive north of Cape Town. Whale watching, sandboarding, and wildflower season in early spring all draw visitors beyond just the gannet colony, and the town makes an easy base for day trips to Elands Bay, Doring Bay, or the Cederberg mountains inland.

Contact:

• Lambert’s Bay Tourism: +27 (0)27 432 1000 – [email protected] – lambertsbay.co.za
• West Coast Wonders: +27 (0)83 458 1575 – [email protected] – westcoastwonders.co.za

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). 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.