Oct
2014
The town of Saldanha was named after a the Captain of a Dutch vessel, Antoine de Saldanha which first laid anchor in the present day Table Bay and then travelled up the coast to Saldanha Bay.
Saldanha Bay has been the site of two naval battles. The Fourth Anglo-Dutch War took place on the 21st July 1781 between the British and Dutch armadas. According to history there were not many casualties, but the Dutch did capture 5 British ships and sank one.
A second battle ensued a few years later in 1796 between the two arch-rivals only this time the confrontation was averted. During these battles Robin Island was used as a detention centre by the Dutch.
Saldanha Bay today is crucial in the export of iron ore to India and Europe with a large industrial harbour serving seafaring vessels with cargo. The harbour has an important role in the Sishen-Saldanha iron ore project, which is connected to by the Sishen-Saldanha railway.
Thus the town of Saldanha Bay has its existence in the mining and export industries along with canneries and fishing. The protected bay is ideal for water-sport enthusiasts and thus it makes Saldanha Bay a favoured tourist destination.
Tourists come to Saldanha Bay for weekend breaks and holidays as there is a myriad of attractions to entertain tourists, including the SAS Saldanha Bay Nature Reserve with its range of wild flowers on display in winter and spring, whale watching, the West Coast Fossil Park, the Postberg flower reserve and the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.
Saldanha Bay is also home to birds that use the town as a brooding and nesting site with birds like seagulls, cormorants and Cape gannets. Duikers can also be seen here.
Eco-tourism and deep sea fishing is one of the primary attractions due to the sea and surrounding nature.
Take a tour of the properties on offer in Saldanha Bay via the MyRoof website.
