Saldanha Bay is situated approximately 140Km from Cape Town on the picturesque West Coast Road (R27). The town of Saldanha Bay was built on one of the largest natural bays on our African coast, but development only truly got underway once a pipeline providing fresh water from the Berg River was laid to the town.

Saldanha Bay Harbour is renowned for its ability to handle amongst other commodities, the shipping of iron ore for which a dedicated railway line was built to transport iron ore from Sishen to Saldanha Bay for this very purpose.

Several industries have emerged and provide much needed employment for the local population as a result of the Saldanha Bay harbour including companies such as Namakwa Sands, Duferco and Sea Harvest.
The beautiful bay is home to the Saldanha Yacht Club which hosts several regattas annually and is also widely known for its Naval Training Base and the South African Military Academy. The SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve is a “must see” during late winter and early spring for the beautiful spring flowers and Southern Right Whales who visit the bay.  Don’t miss the "Hoedjieskop"-Reserve, a hill in the middle of the town offering magnificent photo opportunities with 360 degree views of the town.

History

Saldanha Bay is named after António de Saldanha, captain of a vessel in Albuquerque's fleet which visited South Africa in 1503. The name was first given to Table Bay, where Saldanha's ship cast anchor. On Table Bay being given its present name in 1601, the older appellation was transferred to the bay now called after Saldanha. In 1781 a British squadron under Commodore George Johnstone seized six Dutch East Indiamen, which, fearing an attack on Cape Town, had taken refuge in Saldanha Bay. This was the only achievement, so far as South Africa was concerned, of the expedition despatched to seize Cape Town during the war of 1781-1783.

What To Do and See in SALDANHA BAY

• Hoedjieskoppie Nature Reserve
• Naval Training Base
• SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve
  Tel +27 22 7023523
  Tel +27 22 7144022
• West Coast Fossil Park
• Whales (Seasonal)
• Wild Flowers (Seasonal)
• Saldanha Bay Harbour
• Saldanha Bay Yacht Club
• Watersports