Hoedjies Bay

Hoedjies Bay

If you travel approximately one hour up the west coast from Cape Town you will find the harbour town of Saldanha Bay which was formerly known as Hoedjies Bay. The town has the deepest and largest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere, and the safest in South Africa. An 861 kilometre railway line was built in 1976 from Sishen in the Northern Cape, where major iron ore deposits were found, to the Saldanha Bay harbour. Saldanha Bay is still dominated by the enormous iron ore pier, navy yards and fish processing factories, but despite this, the towns bays are pleasant and, because they are sheltered, much warmer than the ocean. Saldanha Bay is at the northern end of the same lagoon as the tourist hotspot of Langebaan and the tranquil waters of the bay are ideal for water sports, fishing, sailing or swimming. Whale and dolphin watching charters as well as island cruises are easily arranged and the area is a hiking and bird watchers delight. Although the town of Hoedjies Bay does not exist in name any more, its name lives on near the centre of the town at one of the town's most popular swimming beaches. Hoedjies Bay.