Of all our Churchhaven properties in the West Coast National Park, this is the closest to the beach, and it has awesome views of the absolutely beautiful blue lagoon. It really is a much-loved family beach cottage full of quaint vintage treasures. It has a very laid-back East African influence – the only shoes you will want to put on are your Havaianas, and your most important piece of clothing will be a kikoi (Kenyan sarong).

Spend your days keeping out of the midday sun, gazing at that blue, blue lagoon and watching the sailing, kayaking and fishing, or take long walks in the reserve, make sandcastles and explore by bicycle.

Being off the grid is just such a treat as you can either use the gas stove or BBQ (the fridge is electric and runs off the solar power) or light all the candles and settle in for the evenings to enjoy the stars.

If you have never visited the West Coast of the Cape before you are really in for a surprise: the colours and beauty of the reserve, the fynbos wild flowers in Spring, the quietness and solitude, and the pristine waters of the lagoon, all just an hour out of Cape Town. This is a local-secret haven away from the madness of busy lifestyles.

What we love!

• The wonderfully warm lagoon waters with the softest white-sand beaches and very safe swimming for the kids
• The utterly unspoilt, pristine surroundings deep in a National Parks Board Nature Reserve
• The back-to-basics lifestyle in the charming hamlet of Churchhaven on the water’s edge
• The incredible range of things to do and see, from the spring flowers in Postberg Flower Reserve, idyllic beach picnics at nearby Kraalbaai (close to the famous Preekstoel rock formation) and kitesurfing at Shark Bay just outside Langebaan (an excellent place for beginners and to hone your skills)

What you need to know…

• Only one hour’s drive from Cape Town
• This is blissful off-the-grid living, so there is no WiFi, limited cellphone accessibility and solar power rules supreme. Most houses rely on rainwater catchment or borehole water driven by solar pumps, and gas hobs and gas ovens are used for cooking. In winter, fireplaces and ever-faithful wood-burning stoves keep things cosy
• We are unable to offer a cleaning service at Churchhaven.  The ONLY cleaning service available at any of our Churchhaven properties is a mid-week linen change if you are staying for 6 nights or longer.  Due to being off-grid Churchhaven houses do not have dishwashers.  If this is a problem for you please consider our other West Coast options.
• Please take note of the following gate times for entering and leaving the West Coast National Park: 1 April to 31 August 07:00 to 17:30; 1 September to 31 March 07:00 to 18:30. No entrance into the park is possible after the gates close in the evenings
• There is a per person, per day entrance fee due to enter the park.  Please check the SANPARKS website for latest fee tariffs – https://www.sanparks.org/parks/west_coast/tourism/tariffs.phpIt may be worth investing in a Wild Card – https://www.sanparks.org/wild_new/

Coffee Table Book:
Seagull Cottage is one of the hideaways featured in our Perfect Hideaways in South Africa coffee table book.