Towns and suburbs

Langebaan

langebaan

History of Langebaan

Province: Western Cape
West Coast
Coordinates:33°5′30″S 18°2′0″E
Area:20.17 km2
Municipality:Saldanha Bay

Langebaan, founded in 1922, was a prominent whaling station until the 1960s. The whaling station at Donkergat remains visible from the town, with a harpoon gun outside the Municipal Buildings serving as a reminder of this history.

The first European to explore the area was Vasco Da Gama, who landed at St. Helena Bay in 1497. During the 1600s, the Dutch East India Company utilized Saldanha Bay’s calm waters for ship repairs. Evidence suggests that Homo sapiens lived in this region around 500,000 years ago, hunting small game, crafting tools, and using animal skins for clothing.

Saldanha Bay was named after António de Saldanha, although he never actually entered these waters. In 1601, Juris van Spilbergen mistakenly believed he had reached Cape Town and named it Saldanha Bay. The bay was originally called Agoada de Saldanha, but the Dutch later claimed ownership. Despite European interest, settlement was limited due to the lack of fresh water, as Langebaan Lagoon is a saltwater body.

The French used Schaapeneiland (now part of the West Coast National Park) to store whale oil and seal hides, naming it “Isle à la Biche.” Other nearby islands served as smallpox quarantine sites and supported the sealing and guano industries.

Langebaan also witnessed two naval battles in 1863 involving the Confederate States of America’s warship, the Alabama. The town itself was founded in 1870 on the farm Geitenmelksfontein, meaning “Goat’s Milk Fountain.” The name Langebaan, meaning “Long Track,” likely refers to the winding road behind the sand dunes. The first settler, William Smith, a British sailor, built a cottage on the lagoon’s edge, and some of his descendants still reside in Langebaan today.

Today, Langebaan is a residential town with no industrial activity allowed.

WEATHER IN LANGEBAAN TODAY

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Things to see and do in Langebaan:

  • To explore the area on classic motorcycles please visit African Dream Motorcycle Adventures
  • The Postberg trail is only open once a year between August and September for wildflower season.     022 772 2144/5
  • Langebaan attracts kiteboarding enthusiasts from all over the world. Main Beach is one of South Africa’s favourite kiteboarding spots,
  • Langebaan Lagoon is a protected natural wetland and a Ramsar site.  It is an ideal birdwatching You may see flamingos, oystercatchers, gulls, and other rare water birds.

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 022 707 5140/ 022 703 6440
  • Municipality Moreesburg 022 433 8400
  • Traffic department:0227036100
  • Vehicle registration 022 707 5015
  • Fire: 0227017061
  • Water:
  • Electricity:
  • Ambulance:10177 private
  • Post office;022 772 2710
  • Library: 022 707 5030
  • Closest hospital;
    Life West coast private hospital Vredenberg 022 719 1030
    Seabreeze medical centre langebaan 022 772 1606
  • Pharmacy;022 772 2470
  • SPCA:West coast SPCA 022 289 0998 Langebaan animal care
  • Schools:Longacres private school 022 772 0302
    Curro langebaan independentschool 022 772 0116
  • Sea rescue 082 9905966
  • Museum;
  • Tourism; 022 772 1515
  • Ratepayers Association:082 889 0685
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Local Listings

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