Lambert's Bay: Discover birds and local history

Lambert's Bay is a destination for anyone looking to include birdwatching and local history in their holiday plans. The Jakkalsvlei wetland lies on the northern edge of town; the Sandveld Museum is in Lambert's Bay, while the Walkthrough Museum is on Bird Island nearby. This puts nature watching and a variety of exhibition topics side by side as possible focal points. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you would prefer to spend your days observing nature, exploring museum exhibits, or enjoying a mix of both.

Birdwatching at Jakkalsvlei

From the viewpoint in the wetland, you can look out over the lower section of Jakkalsvlei and spot birds including Black-winged Stints, South African Shelduck and Cape Teal. The viewpoint has a picnic bench and a table; check the condition of the facilities before your visit. Naturally, which birds you see may vary. The view takes in not only individual species but also the wetland area where they can be observed.

The condition of the wetland also changes what you see: when Jakkalsvlei is dry, large flocks of Kelp Gulls fly in from the coast and rest on the dry wetland floor. This observation applies specifically to dry conditions and is not a general statement about every season. The site of the old bird hide is considered the best spot for birdwatching. Jakkalsvlei thus offers different perspectives on birdlife, without any particular sighting being guaranteed.

Exhibitions and local history

The Sandveld Museum in Lambert's Bay features 15 exhibitions on various aspects of local and regional history. These include the history of the town, the gunboat HMS Sybille, which ran aground in 1901, as well as photography and fishing, including the fishing community. Other topics include books and Bibles, archaeology, a horse mill and farming equipment, as well as clothing and embroidery from times gone by. The range covers everything from everyday life and work to historical objects and cultural artefacts. Check the current visitor arrangements before you travel.

Nearby Lambert's Bay, the Walkthrough Museum on Bird Island displays, among other things, skeletons of a Cuvier's beaked whale, a Cape fur seal, a Cape gannet and a Dusky Dolphin. The collection therefore offers a different focus from the local and cultural history exhibits at the Sandveld Museum: here, the spotlight is on the marine animals listed above. Individual exhibits may change.

What experiences would you like to shape your stay?

For planning your trip, it helps to understand the differences between the offerings: birdwatching at Jakkalsvlei depends on natural conditions and which species are actually visible. At the Sandveld Museum, by contrast, you can explore the exhibition topics listed above, from fishing and local history to archaeology and textiles. Bird Island adds the marine animal skeletons on display there to the selection. If you're looking for a holiday apartment in Lambert's Bay, these interests can help you decide which aspect of the destination you'd most like to discover. These three options do not promise identical experiences; each appeals to different interests.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Malmesbury, Porterville, Velddrif, Moorreesburg, Vredendal, Piketberg, Grotto Bay, Clanwilliam.

For the main travel overview: West Coast.