South Africa » West Coast Sea Kayaking Route

West Coast Sea Kayaking Route

Paddling in South Africa:

Paddling in South Africa has a fairly long history stretching back at least 50 years. Initially paddling developed a competitive edge with marathon events such as the Dusi Canoe Marathon, held in KwaZulu-Natal and the Berg River Canoe Marathon, held in the Western Cape, becoming popular endurance events. The surf life-saving community also produced its own marathon – the sea-based East London to Port Elizabeth Surfski Marathon, held in the Eastern Cape.

The commercialisation of river running using safe and user-friendly inflatable craft and Indian canoes introduced a recreational element to paddling in this country and increased its popularity, a trend which is rapidly being expanded by the advent of sea kayaking.

Sea kayaking has been popular in North America for many years but the first boats were only imported into South Africa relatively recently. Sea kayaks are stable and comfortable sea-going paddle craft designed for exploring and touring. They provide a stable platform to explore South Africa’s magnificent coastline and estuaries, as well as to indulge in related activities such as bird watching, fishing and photography.

This stability and ease of use is also their potentially biggest danger, however, since it is easy for the inexperienced paddler to quickly find him or herself out of their depth. Southern African climatic conditions are also notoriously fickle so it is vitally important to be well trained and equipped and knowledgeable about the trip you plan to undertake.

The Recreational and Commercial Sea Kayaking Association of South Africa (RECSKASA) is a good place to start your planning. They have collected the information used in compiling the routes featured on this site and are able to give you the detailed information and training required to undertake a successful sea kayak trip. They can also put your into contact with operators offering organised excursions.

We have selected a number of sea kayaking routes which showcase those parts of our coastline most suited for paddling and exemplify the wide variety of experiences available to sea kayakers in this country – from the harsh beauty of the West Coast with its characteristic fishing villages and abundant bird life, to the tall forests and black water of the Garden Route, to the tropical lushness and warm waters of KwaZulu-Natal.

Paddling on the West Coast:

The West Coast is the part of South Africa’s coastline running from approximately Bloubergstrand ('Blue mountain beach'), just outside Cape Town, up to the Orange River, which forms the country’s northern border with Namibia.

It is a sparsely inhabited, arid part of the country, renowned for its long sweeps of deserted white beaches, its characteristic fishing villages whose inhabitants make their living from the abundant fisheries in the cold Atlantic waters, and its magnificent springtime flower display.

It offers many attractions for paddlers, including rich bird and marine life, the opportunity of camping on deserted beaches, feasting on a meal of freshly caught crayfish and the chance to interact with the character-bursting communities that call this place home.

Depending on which stretch of the route you are keen to tackle, access is best accomplished by vehicle, using the N7 to reach the more northerly points and the coastal R27 to reach the more southerly launch sites. There are sea kayaking base camps, which offer advice, guides, equipment rental and all-inclusive excursions, at St Helena Bay, Paternoster and Langebaan.

Nearby routes

Caledon Blue Crane Route

Lying at the southernmost tip of the African continent, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, is the Overberg, a fertile area surrounded by mountains and sea starting from a point 100km east of the city of Cape Town.

Cape Care Route

The City of Cape Town initiated the development of this Afrikatourism route that offers visitors a different experience of the city, in that it focuses on sustainable development issues.

Cape Nature Route

Western Cape, South Africa: This route highlights the 'benefits beyond boundaries' of all reserves under Cape Nature Conservation.

Dwars River Escape Route

The Dwars River Escape Route covers the entire Dwars River Valley, located near the university town of Stellenbosch in the Western Cape of South Africa. The route covers a relatively short distance, but it is a valley packed full of attractions and activities for the tourist.

Khanyisa Cape Route

Western Cape, South Africa: This route goes through the townships of the Cape Flats. The Khanyisa Cape Route is all about  pointing tourists to other destinations in the townships, not just the beaten track to struggle route landmarks.

KwaMandlenkosi Route

The township of Kwa-Mandlenkosi is situated just off the N1 highway approximately 1km south of Beaufort West, the home of the late pioneering heart surgeon, Professor Christiaan Barnard. This has become the focal point of one of the shortest Afrikatourism routes in the Open Africa project, and the first in the Great Karoo.

Mothers of Creation Route

The Garden Route is South Africa’s Garden of Eden, a combination of long, deserted beaches and tranquil lagoons, lush green forests and mountain ranges. Tourists can enjoy the abundant natural resources and meet local people while directly supporting the poorer communities and contributing to their sustainable future.      

Porterville Blue Crane Route

The Porterville Blue Crane Route links the various attractions in and around the town under the banner of Blue Crane conservation, as the route is one of four Blue Crane routes in the Western Cape.

Sindwendwela Arts / Craft and Cultural Route

The route is situated south of the Great Karoo in the valley surrounded by the Groot Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kammanassie mountains, along the Garden Route in the Western Cape province, South Africa.

Southermost Route

The Southernmost Blue Crane Route is set in the south Western Cape region of South Africa and as the name suggests, the key feature of this route is South Africas national bird.

Southern Overberg Fynbos Route

The route stretches into the hidden corners of the Agulhas Plain, near the southern tip of Africa, as well as to Stanford, Gansbaai, Baardskeerdersbos, Pearly Beach, Elim and Wolvengat.

West Coast Rock Art Route

The San (Bushman) rock paintings in the Cederberg, Nardouwsberg, Koue Bokkeveld and Olifants River Valley north of Cape Town are amongst the most accessible in South Africa. The sites on this route together have about 25 rock shelters with hundreds of individual paintings.

Xairu Blue Crane Route

The Xairu Blue Crane Route is one of four blue crane routes in the Western Cape. It is located in and around the town of Heidelberg, which is about 276km east of Cape Town on the N2 national road. Heidelberg is fondly known as the “gateway to the garden route”.

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