Yzerfontein

Yzerfontein at a glance

Yzerfontein is a charming seaside village on the popular Cape West Coast - also known as the Weskus area. Life in Yzerfontein revolves predominantly around the ocean and the beachfront with its 16 km sandy beach stretch.

Yzerfontein also lies within the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR) with its prolific fynbos in the adjacent West Coast National Park and in the private game reserves around the town – crowned by Table Mountain's majestic silhouette on the horison.

The town’s motto is aptly "Mares didat, flores decorant" - "the sea nourishes, the flowers adorn".

Laid-back Lifestyle

Yzerfontein is all about embracing a laid-back, small-town lifestyle. The community is close-knit and welcoming, and residents have the time to appreciate life's simple pleasures. The town's amenities, such as quaint cafes, boutique shops, and local markets, offer everything you need for a comfortable and relaxed lifestyle.

The lifestyle attracts a range of residents including families, retirees, and remote-working professionals and there is a range of properties which covers their needs - from large homes overlooking or close the beach, to vacant plots on which buyers can develop according to their own budget or needs, or even lock-up & go apartments fit for holidays or a weekend getaway.

Raised walkways, well-defined walking paths and accessible beaches allow visitors to explore almost every inch of the Yzerfontein coastline. The cold Benguela current delivers bracingly cold water, but this does not deter regular swimmers, surfers and almost every other water sport.

The Yzerfontein Urban Conservancy is a voluntary organisation that looks after nature in the town. About 127ha of Yzerfontein is green belt that is part of a local area nature reserve owned by the Swartland municipality. Some of the conservancy’s current projects are eradicating aliens, rehabilitating dunes.

History of Yzerfontein

Archaeological digs in Yzerfontein have found remains of food and tools left by ancient people, who inhabited Yzerfontein.  The history of Dutch settlement began in 1732 when Cornelius Heufke got permission to graze his livestock on a farm that was then called Eijzerfontein (the name deriving from the iron deposits in the drinking water). Yzerfontein was first a Cape Town Company loan farm without a permanent owner or geographical borders. It was only since 1842, that the farm had numerous private owners.

Yzerfontein’s salt pans used to be in hot demand, and you can still see the remains of the harbour built in 1911 for shipping salt to Cape Town. The oldest building in Yzerfontein, the thatched Vishuis – now the tourism office – was used to store the salt.

In the 1920s there were only five houses at Yzerfontein. Back then it was a popular place for inland farmers to come for a camping holiday by the sea. Schaap Island got its name because farmers who holidayed at the beach, used to bring all their own supplies, like a cow for milk, hens for eggs, and so forth. To keep their sheep (schaap in Dutch) safe from jackals they would put them on the island, which was cut off from the mainland at high tide.

After Abraham Katz’s company bought a section of the farm in 1937, Yzerfontein received town status and it grew into a small harbour town.

During World War II Yzerfontein had a radar station, erected in March 1943. It was run by six women whose job was to track enemy ship and air traffic and especially to look out for enemy submarines threatening the Allied shipping and troopship convoys.

In the 1960s and 1970s, some 600 000 penguin eggs were removed for eating from Dassen Island, which is about 10km west of Yzerfontein in the Atlantic Ocean. Tons of guano was also removed for use as fertiliser. Dassen Island was declared a nature reserve in 1987 and is now managed by CapeNature, mainly to protect its seabirds.

Yzerfontein has the only two remaining lime kilns in South Africa. The Dutch settlers (VOC) built lime kilns to burn mussel shells.  The ash was raked out and had a triple use: mixed with water to make cement, with salt to make whitewash to paint buildings, and with animal fat to make walls waterproof. The kilns were declared national monuments in 1980.

Location - Accessibility

The building of the R27 West Coast Road made it much easier to reach Yzerfontein, catalysing the village's development. Before the R27 was built, the only way to get to Yzerfontein was via Malmesbury and Darling on a gravel road.

Yzerfontein is today an hour’s drive north of Cape Town along the R27 on the West Coast.

The Cape Town International Airport is 98,2 km or 1 hour and 13 minutes away. The closest town is Darling - 25 km away (23 minutes) and Langebaan is 55 km away (38 minutes).

Yzerfontein lies within the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR), a recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of only 6 in South Africa and just over 600 world-wide. It extends from Diep River in Milnerton in the south, to the Berg River of Velddrif in the north, Malmesbury / Moorreesberg in the east, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

Climate

Yzerfontein boasts a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

The average yearly temperature in Yzerfontein is 24°C. The hottest months is January and February with highs about 28°C, and the coldest month is August, which is around 19°C. Yzerfontein receives an average of 303mm rain annually between April to October, with June to August the wettest months with over 30mm each.

Closest Schools

While Yzerfontein lacks local schools, a good choice is available in Darling (25 km away) with the likes of Darling Pre-Primary, Laerskool Darling, Vooruitsig Primary School, and Darling College. Langebaan Curro (54 km) is the nearest private high school, and Hoerskool Swartland (60 km to Malmesbury), Hoerskool Melkbosstrand (59km) and Hopefield High School (74 km) are the closest secondary schools.

Healthcare Availability

Local healthcare medical facilities include the Ceal Island Medical Centre, with a range of services including a dentist, physiotherapist, a GP, health and wellness specialist, a clinical nurse and more. Yzerfontein also has a local veterinarian.

Atlantic Medical Response is always on hand to transport those in need to facilities such as the closest private hospitals in Langebaan (Prime Cure Day Hospital) and in Vredenburg (Life West Coast). The closest state hospitals are the Vredenburg Provincial Hospital, Wesfleur Hospital in Atlantis and Swartland Hospital. Darling has a clinic.

Shopping Convenience

The Ocean Village Shopping Centre offers a diverse shopping experience. The SPAR was awarded in 2023 as the SPAR of the Year. It is well-stocked and not only provide a good range of groceries and household essentials, but it also has a good Bean Tree coffee shop and a TOPS. Other retail offerings include Blooming Nice (clothing), The Crazy Store or eat out at restaurants like Grounded and Yzer Eats .

The Build it Yzerfontein is a most welcome addition for home maintenance and building.

Restaurants + Coffee Shops + Brewery & Distillery

Yzerfontein has a variety of eateries, coffee shops, restaurants and even farm stalls. Strandkombuis, nestled into the dunes of the 16 Mile Beach, offers a unique beach dining experience.

Other choices include Weskus Kitchen, Koffie & Jy, Rosemead Artisan Bakery,  Beaches Restaurant, Lulas Food, Yzer Bru (craft beer brewery and restaurant), Khwa ttu Restaurant, Breeze  Café (mobile coffee shop), That Greek Place , Wright’s Gin Distillery & Tasting Room  and Weskus Padstal.

Things To Do – Yzerfontein Attractions

1. Yzerfontein beach: Yzerfontein boasts the longest uninterrupted sandy beach (The 16 Mile Beach) on the coastline of South Africa which stretches north to the West Coast National Park. It is a popular place for swimming, skiing, sailing and angling. The Atlantic's powerful westerly swells roll into Yzerfontein, making it a prime surfing spot. Take a leisurely stroll to rejuvenate your weary soles. The beach is also great for giving your dogs a run without having to worry about seeing another person for hours on a quiet day.

2. Hiking: As an area that’s rich in natural endowments, outdoor enthusiasts can reap the rewards.

2.1 Schaap Eiland Hiking Trail: Starting from Yzerfontein's main beach, this hiking trail of about 2 km long is a beautiful walk and a great place to spot wildlife, search for shells, or simply enjoy the view. The path is clearly signposted with white footprints.

2.2 The Darling Stagger is a 25kms, 2 and half day slack packing trail that takes you through the Cape West Coast Biosphere, through wine and olive farms by cycling, hiking and walking. Alternatively, there’s also fishing and boating activities available in nearby towns and even sandboarding for those looking for an adrenalin fuelled experience.

2.3 Eve’s Trail in the West Coast Park: Trace back time with this wonderfully scenic two-and-a-half-day hiking trail that follows in the footprints of Eve – unmistakable human footfalls in rock (formerly sea sand) that are said to have belonged to a young woman who lived 117 000 years ago. The trail covers 30km of the park’s beautiful terrain, starting from Duinepos and ending at Seeberg – the park’s highest point.

3. !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre: This venue gives you an insight into the San, the first people to inhabit Southern Africa. The San themselves will take you on a journey into their history, traditional knowledge, skills, languages, customs and current affairs.

Whether you are looking for a solitary retreat, or a hiking/mountain-biking weekend with friends or your family, a visit to !Khwa ttu will be profoundly affecting.

The Khwa ttu’s mountain bike trail includes two well-marked routes suitable for all levels of experience, from casual leisure rider to experienced adrenaline junkie. They have mountain bikes for hire.

4. West Coast National Park: Stretching from Yzerfontein to Langebaan, this lovely nature reserve offers a variety of activities from hiking, and birding, to whale watching. It is home to over 250 bird species (a quarter of South Arica’s total), reptiles and mammals and it is seasonally visited between August and October by pods of whales along the Tsaarbank section of the park. Nature-loving families will be in their element, spotting all the different fauna.

A visit to Kraalbaai with its turquoise stretch of water in the Langebaan Lagoon is highly recommended. Here you can enjoy everything from kitesurfing and waterskiing to fishing, kayaking, snorkelling, SUPing, boating – and, of course, swimming in an amazingly still, crystal-clear waters.

Visit Postberg between August and September – when this prime flower- and game-viewing location is at its colourful best with a dazzling patchwork of vibrant, varied daisies and sporries.

5. Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve: a 1600 ha family-owned nature reserve which is home to some of Africa’s greats such as Lion, Buffalo, White Rhino and Giraffe. Visitors can enjoy an unforgettable guided safari game drive, a delicious meal, a good night’s rest or a team building/conference that will keep everyone talking for years to come.

6. West Coast Explorers Club – Bicycle rentals: WCEC bicycles allows you to discover and fill your camera from a bicycle, with a network of bicycle stations spread around Yzerfontein at: 16 Mile Beach (Main Beach), The Harbour, The Tourism Office “Die Vishuis”, Schaap Island, Swemgat (Dasseneiland Drive), The Bewarea Labyrinth and Yzerfontein’s National Monuments The Lime Kilns.

7. Groote Post Country Market (Free entry): The terrace in front of the award-winning Hilda’s Kitchen brims with child-friendly market stalls showcasing delicious and beautiful country offerings including artisan foods, arts, and crafts, homeware, clothing, décor, and gifts. The kids will also be kept busy with a wide variety of kiddies’ activities: tractor rides, guided horse rides, the popular playground and more. After browsing through the market, visitors will be relaxing under the trees while tucking into their delicious eats from the market.

8. West Coast Horse Trails: beach rides starting from Blombosch guest and game farm on the 16 Mile Beach, nature and game rides and multi day horse trails. All the riding gear is supplied, tack and safety helmets and the horses are fit and well mannered and can cater for the novice to experienced rider.

9. Whale-watching experience: private and small group whale-watching expeditions from Yzerfontein along the Cape West Coast, a renowned feeding ground for Humpback Whale ‘Super Groups’, on a purpose-built boat for optimal viewing and safety by the only licensed whale watching operator in the West Coast region.

10. Dassen Island trip: Dassen Island is the second biggest island along the South African coastline – after Robben Island. The Island was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1987 and is managed by Cape Nature Conservation – as it is an important breeding sanctuary for a variety of endangered seabirds.  Dassen Island is 10 km from Yzerfontein and was home to over a million African penguins and the largest African penguin colony in the world. Egg harvesting (1910-1967), at a rate of roughly 600 000 a year, soon put paid to that claim, as did a population of domestic cats turned feral.

Want to experience the best of Dassen Island and catch some yellow tail, katonkel or snoek? Contact Tunatic Charters or Dassen-Eiland Charters for such a fishing trip.

People are not allowed to visit unless with special permission and then are allowed to walk only on the road between the Dassen Island lighthouse and the buildings at Huisbaai.

Other things of interest in Yzerfontein:

·         Yzerfontein is the landing point for the ACE and WACS submarine communications cables.

·         The Yzerfontein salt pan is a 116 hectares coastal salt pan, just northeast of the town. It was formerly mined for salt and is currently mined for gypsum.

·         South Africa’s first wind energy farm was developed between Yzerfontein and Darling and became operational in 2008 with an installed capacity of 5,2 MW.

Residential Property Market

Yzerfontein offers a true village experience to families, retirees, and remote working professionals. The Yzerfontein residential property market includes a diverse range of properties, from charming beachfront cottages to modern luxury homes, each offering its unique charm.

There are 2 474 residential properties in Yzerfontein of which 2 343 are own title houses and plots, and 131 are sectional title units. Most of those properties nestled against the hill boasting beautiful sea views and are within walking distance of the beach.

Contact us today to view our properties and homes for sale in Yzerfontein and get acquainted with the exceptional quality of life Yzerfontein offers.