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lamberts bay
 Lamberts Bay, About 290 kms from Cape Town, has quietly developed from a fishing village into a popular holiday resort.The town is named after Admiral Lambert of the British Navy who did a marine survey of the bay between 1826 and 1840.
The hotel was built by Mr Stephan in 1888! During the war of 1900 - 1902 Lamberts Bay was used as a lay-up for British warships and in 1901 the “ HMS Sybille” was wrecked opposite Steenbokfontein.
The first crayfish factory was started by Mr Lindström in 1918, the price was 1/6 and 2/6 per hundred crayfish.
Enjoying a mild Mediterranean climate. Winter, the rainy season,has nonetheless many sunny days and is generally mild. Summer is dry and sunny, with the extreme heat tempered by light sea breezes. Early autumn is idyllic(March and April).
 Lamberts Bay has been proclaimed the 'diamond of the West Coast' for many reasons, firstly our preservation of the culture of the small West Coast fishing village. In this quaint village you wake to the sound of fishing boats signalling their departure from the harbour When the sea is clear and calm the Diamond Boats follow go to sea to search sea beds for the largest precious diamonds the ocean has to offer! As the mist lifts softly over the beaches the sun welcomes a day of beautiful waves, soft sands and exhilarating expeditions! and dunes create the perfect setting for 4x4 enthusiast to lose all inhibitions and face their fears, while quad bike enthusiasts put speed and ability to new tests. The calm waters of the bay create a playing field for jet-skies, dinghies, speed boats and rafts. The endless, white beach is a 'tanning-heaven' and season brings hosts of volleyballers, touch rugby enthusiasts and others looking for beach front 'entertainment'!  Both the harbour and Bird Island are a constant source of fascination to visitors and residents alike and thousands of tourists are drawn here every year. The Heaviside’s Dolphin is endemic to this area ; these dolphins are very playful and approach boats frequently. Southern Right Whales visit our shores from July to Nov
The harbour which in the past boasted fishing vessels now only has the odd vessel, the Condor which is used for boat trips and a host of diamond boats which immediately catch your eye. The diamonds lie hidden amongst the earth’s gravel, to be found only by the few who take the time to make it their mission to find this precious stone.
SANDVELD MUSEUM - Sanet Botes 082 482 9217
The museum houses 15 different exhibits eg. “Old” Lambert’s Bay, HMS Sybille Gunboat which ran aground in 1901, Photograph collection, Fish industry and fishing community, Book & Bible collection, Archaeological display, Horsemill and Farm implements and Clothes and embroidery from bygone days. Here you can also see Mountain Tortoises.
The Mountain or Leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) is by far the largest in size with adults known to reach 37,5 – 50cm in length and a mass of 6,6 – 13,2kg. The shell is distinctly convex, yellow in colour and brightly marked with black, often so intense as almost to obscure the yellow ground colour.
Up to 30 eggs are laid at a time in a hole dug by the female in the ground. Here they remain for 8 – 18 months, depending on weather conditions, before hatching.
ENGLISH CEMETARY - Info office 027 432 1000
Soldiers who lost their lives in the Anglo-Boer War 1900 – 1902) are buried here.
200 YEAR OLD WOODEN LOCK - Info office 027 432 1000
On the farm, Wadrift, approximately 17km south of Lambert’s Bay, a quaint wooden lock, dating back more than 200 years can be seen. The lock is still used to lock a storeroom on the farm.
WHALE BONE HOUSE - Info office 027 432 1000
Also on the farm Wadrift, you can see a house built of whale bones. Please note that the whale bones are not visible.
PROPELLER OF THE HMS SYBILLE - Sandveld Museum 0824829217
The British gunboat HMS Sybille was a 3.400 ton twin screw second class cruiser. The ship was sent to Lambert’s Bay as a patrol boat during the Anglo boer war (1899 – 1902).
At 04h30 on the morning of 16 January 1901 the Sybille struck a reef near the farm Steenbokfontein.
The crew were taken aboard the City of Cambridge and guns and torpedoes salvaged.
Divers still search for artifacts from the wreck and in 1999 the propeller was recovered and can be viewed at the Sandveld Museum.
THE SYBILLE ROOM AT “DIE PLAASKOMBUIS” (FARM KITCHEN) - Kitta Burger 027 432 2720
British engineers were sent to South Africa to dismantle the stranded Sybille. One of them, Harry Blades from Sheffield, fell in love with Martie Burger from the farm, Steenbokfontein. They were married and settled in England. Kitta Burger, owner of the Plaaskombuis, restored the original Burger home and today it serves as a restaurant and tea room. Kitta gladly shares the history of the Sybille with visitors and serves meals. Bookings essential. Walk the Labyrinth
DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH PULPIT - Info office 027 432 1000
The intrically carved pulpit at the Dutch Reformed Church is a treasure worth seeing.
FAUNA & FLORA & ECO -TOURISM - Flowers in season (Aug – September)
AREND DE WAAL FLOWER ROUTE– At its best during Aug – Oct. Contact Arend De Waal on 083 354 1788/027-432 1305 for a guided tour
DASSIEPOORT RESERVE – A feast to the eye in Flower Season. Contact Edward Turner at 027-432 1017 for more information
ECO Boat trips to watch Dolphins & Whales
The main access route is the N7 from Cape Town, turn west on the R364 near Clanwilliam to Lambert's Bay
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