Situated a mere 90 minutes from Cape Town along
the R27 lies one of the younger little hamlets on the West Coast. Situated
between Saldanha Bay and Paternoster, Jakobsbaai is characterized by a rugged,
rocky shoreline, interspersed with small, sandy bays which prove popular among
surfing and diving enthusiasts.
Still sparsely populated, Jakobsbaai is
somewhere to which one can retreat to escape the hustle and bustle of city
life. If you are looking for a getaway far from the rat race, this is the place
for you! It’s secluded enough to feel like a proper resting place, but close
enough to Saldanha Bay to make buying supplies easy and convenient. It’s definitely
the best of both worlds.
One of the first things one notices upon
one’s arrival is the absolute tranquillity of the place. Its charm is self
evident, with several iconic little West Coast whitewashed buildings dotting
the area, some constructed with locally quarried rock. Almost all of the houses
are built in the same style – white walls with either thatch or dark tiled roofs.
The area is rich with indigenous fynbos,
and the beautiful wild grass fields are incredibly striking. It’s no wonder
that the locals refer to it as “Namaqualand by the sea”. The annual Spring
splash of colour from blooming wildflowers is as spectacular here as anywhere
on the West Coast. Jakobsbaai can also boast a variety of birdlife that would be sure to keep the most ardent bird watcher coming back time and time again.
There are quite a few guesthouses to visit
in this small town, such as Klokkiebosch Guest House and Die Herberg B & B, that cater to a variety of clientele types. We chose to visit one that is perfect for budget holidays. The Jacobsbaai
Backpackers or ‘The Plot’ is located to your left, just before entering the
town. It can accommodate more than thirty guests and is ideal for those travelling with an eye on the wallet. It has a very relaxed feel to it and boasts a bar, braai boma,
self catering entertainment area, as well as a children’s playground.
The only restaurant that I could find was Weskusplek,
a seafood establishment owned by local celebrity, Steve Hofmeyr. My visit to Jacobsbaai was unfortunately on a
cloudy day, but I can imagine that the azure blue water and fynbos backdrop would be
an exquisite site to see in the summer, considering the amazing view of the
bay. The menu has a wide range of meals on offer, and is reasonably priced. I thoroughly
enjoyed sipping a cappuccino while breathing in the fresh sea breeze.
