The West Coast National Park, which was proclaimed in 1985, represents a unique niche in the conservation programme of the National Parks in South Africa. It is one of the few coastal National Parks in the country. As a wetland it is of international importance as it is the end point of wading birds' migration routes from the Arctic.

The park presently consists of the bird islands, Juttend, Malgas, Schaapen and Marcus, the whole lagoon area south of Langebaan, a large portion of the Postberg Peninsula as well as a steadily growing number of farms between the R27 (West Coast Road) and the sea, as far south as Yzerfontein.

The area surrounding the Langebaan Lagoon is unique in that traces of prehistoric life have been found, for a period starting about 20 milliom years ago right up to present times. Most of the earlier deposits which have been uncovered to date are outside the park, but many remains from the later periods exist within the boundaries and await discovery and study.

The core of the park is the Langebaan Lagoon. It has no river flowing into it and is almost empty twice a day, only to be fed again by the plancton rich waters of the cold Benguala stream.

Limited activity such as canoeing and sailing is allowed on the lagoon which is part of the reserve. The park is widely know for it's variety of birds including the Black Shouldered Kite, the Cape Francolin, African Black Oystercatcher, the Whitefronted Plover, the Kelp Gull and many, many more.

The Postberg section of the park is open to the general public during the months of August and September, when world famous displays of wild flowers are at their best. The bird Islands are breeding colonies for penquins, gannets, cormorants, gulls and oystercatchers, among others.

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About a 4km walk from the further braai area you will find the Wreck of the "Pantalis a Lemos." Be warned the sand is very loose and your feet will sink in deep! This 74,000 tonne bulk carrier was built in Croatia in 1973. It was operated by the Somelas Corporation under a Liberian flag. It ran aground here in 1978. From what I can gather a generator overheated and caused a fire aboard the ship. She carried no cargo and was in ballast. What remains of the wreck is slowly eroding and as is clear on the photos, some pieces are starting to break off.