Wamakersvlei beach farm
Wamakersvlei directly translated means “wagonmaker’s wetland”. This name was given due to the location which was on the route to Velddrif.
About 300 years ago, early settlers or trekboere settled down in this area of the West Coast. The deep sandy soil was a challenge for farmers who needed to transport their crops to Velddrif for shipping to Cape Town. The farmers struggled with their loaded-up ox wagons along the sandy road until they reached the pans where they unharnessed the oxen and usually had to repair their wagons. The pans at Wamakersvlei are adjacent to salt pans which form a 20km strip all the way to Velddrif. It was much easier for the farmers to move their products from here to the sailboats at Laaiplek which is at the mouth of the Berg River.
Wamakersvlei later became the home of “veewagters” who looked after the cattle and goats of the wealthier farmers. These “bywoners” or farm laborers however discovered the rich fishing fields in the area and chose fishing rather than herding.
The farm Wamakersvlei is still unspoiled with a 400ha wilderness area with fynbos habitats and various types of animals and birds. The farm includes a 7 km coastline that borders the Rocher Pans.
32.6516071″N,18.2686201″E,
