Where the sea and river waters meet … Velddrif was given its name by a local herder when he had to take his animals through a drift in the field to find grazing across the river. In 1899 a pont (pontoon ferry) was built to more easily cross the river, and eventually the well-known Carinus bridge – now a landmark at the southern entrance to this fishing village – was built over the Berg River Estuary.
Velddrif falls within the Bergrivier local municipality but close to all its neighbouring towns in the Saldanha Bay Municipality, of which Vredenburg is the largest. Velddrif also comprises Laaiplek, Noordhoek, Port Owen and Dwarskersbos with many residential areas and developments. Port Owen consists of 100 hectares of sought-after properties within the marina estate, including 3.5 kilometres of waterways. Whether you are in search of rural tranquillity, a holiday home, safe retirement or a great investment, you will find what you need here. Velddrif offers basic amenities and for everything else, Vredenburg is only 20 minutes (25 kilometres) away.
The main industries are fishing, tourism, and salt production. There are two large salt works, providing much of the salt in the Western Cape. The fishing industry is substantial and the town is part of the Crayfish Route. Fed by the nutrient-rich cold Benguela current along the coast, the waters here boast abundant fish, e.g. snoek, often sold straight off the boats. A common scene in the area is the rickety wooden jetties with the dried fish speciality, bokkoms, hung up to dry. This forms part of the age-old tradition and the art of drying fish that the residents and local fishermen pride themselves in. They even have a bustling little road called Bokkom Street with shops and restaurants where locals choose to meet and greet over a glass of wine, some sushi and other local delicacies, of which bokkoms are always on the menu.
The town attracts tourists especially for its wildlife, fishing, yachting and art galleries, which represents the work of over 100 artists and craftsmen in the area. Birdwatching is a significant component of the town’s tourism sector as the Berg River Estuary is an important bird habitat and home to up to 80 species that are endemic to the Cape coast. Well over 350 different species of birds can be seen here, as it includes sea, river and land birds. More can be found in the Rocherpan Nature Reserve outside of Dwarskersbos. Indigenous flowers that grow in the area have the most wondrous names, e.g. Kersbos, Rotstert, Sonkwasriet, Strandroos and Sandveld-luisebos.
Since 1962 the annual Berg River Canoe Marathon, which starts in Paarl and ends at the Carinus Bridge in Velddrif, has gained a reputation for being one of the toughest courses in the world, as well as the longest in South Africa.
