The Town
Yzerfontein is a small harbour town with about 1200 inhabitants on the west coast of South Africa about 90 km north of Cape Town , also lying 26km west of the village of Darling. The name in Dutch or Afrikaans means "Iron Fountain". The main sources of income are tourism, especially during the wildflower season from August to October and fishing, as the town is no longer the old fishing village of days gone by, but a burgeoning holiday town.
The town is known for its Sixteen Mile Beach, the longest uninterrupted sandy beach on the South African coastline, stretching north from the main beach of the town, to the West Coast National Park, which borders the town. Dassen Island, another nature reserve, is located about 10 km offshore and is clearly visible from the house.
Having left the suburbs behind, the main arterial road, the R27, is a smooth, scenic drive heading north through long stretches of undisturbed fynbos with views of long bays and blue ocean to the left. The turn-off to Yzerfontein is well signposted and the road immediately hints at the interesting nature of this coastal village.
The 9km stretch into town, lined with white lime kilns (dating back to the 18th century, when the Dutch burnt mussel shells as a cement like substitute for building material), never fails to pique one’s interest.
A slight rise before the entrance to the town gives expansive views of 16 Mile Beach, which stretches all the way to the northern tip of the West Coast Nature Reserve and is the longest uninterrupted beach on the South African coastline. Looking south, is the famous view of Table Mountain in the distance.
The Town is a unique destination, boasting spectacular seascapes, wild fynbos and wildflowers. In addition the entire town is a designated conservancy, where
raised walkways, well-defined paths and accessible beaches allow visitors to explore every inch of this magnificent coastline. The cold Benguela current delivers bracingly cold water, but this does not deter regular swimmers, surfers and other water sport lovers.
The town is also the landing point for the ACE and WACS submarine communications cables
which provides South African Internationals internet connectivity. At the turnoff to Yzerfontein you will see the Darling Wind Farm, the first windfarm in SA, generating electricity to the area and CoCT since 2004. The Yzerfontein salt pan is a 116 hectare coastal salt pan, just NE of town, formerly mined for salt, and is currently mined for gypsum.