Hoedjiesbaai Accommodation

Saldanha is the small town known formerly as Hoedjiesbaai and is situated at the northern corner of the largest natural bay in South Africa and boasts a coastline with gorgeous, cosy beaches. It has a fascinating history. More than 500 years ago, Saldanha Bay was discovered by the Portuguese. For centuries, geographic isolation and the lack of water prevented large scale urban and industrial development. This has meant that much of the area is still in pristine condition, despite changes which started during World War II.

Water sport enthusiasts will find it a paradise. The nearby Langebaan is a resort town where the blue Langebaan Lagoon stretches for 17km parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. The lagoon plays host to activities varying from water skiing to spear fishing and even birdwatchers join the queue: flamingos, sandpipers and plovers are some of the feathered friends who like to feed on the shrimp and prawn living in the mud banks.

Apart from the obvious sea and water activities like fishing, diving, surfing, yachting, water-skiing, sailboarding and what have you, there are also numerous historical and eco-attractions, as well as hiking trails, mountain biking and 4x4 trails.

The towns local economy is strongly dependent on fishing, mussels, seafood processing, the steel industry and the harbour. The sheltered harbour plays an important part in the Sishen-Saldanha iron-ore project in which Saldanha Steel is a large part of. Saldanha is also host to a Naval training base and the South African Military Academy due to its strong historic military links.

Wildflowers display themselves during late winter and spring at the SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve and Southern Right Whales visit the waters in and around the nature reserve. Saldanha also has a second reserve called The Postberg Private Nature Reserve (open August and September) and is not only home to spectacular wild flowers, but also hosts several antelope and game species, including zebra, kudu, gemsbok, blue and black wildebeest and eland.