Property

The small Western Cape fishing town known for producing salt where houses sell for as much as R15 million

Bianke Neethling • 21 May 2026

The small town of Velddrif in the Western Cape has emerged as a property hotspot on South Africa’s West Coast, with apartments and houses now selling at a premium.

Even entry-level homes in the town can sell for up to R2.5 million, while waterfront and beachfront houses can fetch between R7.5 million and R15 million.

Velddrif is located on the estuary where the Berg River flows into St Helena’s Bay, about 145 km north of Cape Town.

The town was founded in the late 1800s, when a local farmer went there to access grazing land for his stock across the Berg River.

Today, the town is known for three main industries: salt production, fishing, and tourism.

Velddrif boasts two large salt works that produce much of the wider province’s salt. One company, Khoisan Salt, has produced sea salt in the area since the early 1990s.

Aside from its vast salt production, Velddrif is also often described as a small fishing village, with the town boasting a substantial fishing industry.

The dried fish speciality, bokkoms, is said to have originated in the town, and jetties where the delicacy is hung out to dry are considered commonplace in Velddrif.

Velddrif’s fishing industry benefits from a working harbour at Laaiplek and Port Owen, a man-made marina in the town.

Like many small Western Cape towns, Velddrif also benefits from the province’s high tourist activity.

The town’s abundant species of bird life often attracts avid birdwatchers, with Velddrif’s Berg River Estuary considered a rare bird hotspot. Over 250 bird species have been recorded on and adjacent to the lower Berg River since 1975.

The town’s beaches also form part of the West Coast’s whale route, while sailors are attracted to the excellent sailing conditions of St Helena Bay, with Velddrif also seeing some of the action.

Velddrif boasts both fauna and flora, as the town is also home to a wide range of indigenous plants and flowers. The town is particularly known for its spectacular showcase of veld flowers in spring.

Property market catching on

Pam Golding Properties area manager in the Western Cape, Samantha Nel, said Velddrif is increasing on the radar among buyers seeking houses in the province.

Nel explained that Velddrif offers a rare combination of coastal lifestyle, relative affordability, and future growth potential.

In addition, while the town is relatively small with just under 4,000 homes, it offers a surprisingly wide selection of property types for a town of its size.

According to Nel, apartment prices in Velddrif range from R1.35 million to R1.65 million.

Entry-level houses are priced from R1.85 million to R2.5 million, while mid-range homes range from R2.7 million to R3.4 million. Vacant plots are available starting from R795,000.

More high-end properties, such as waterfront and beachfront homes, are priced from R7.5 million to around R15 million.

“Velddrif is in its early growth stages with more affordable entry-level prices than many other nearby West Coast towns,” Nel said.

“That said, due to the increasing demand, the region is experiencing strong price growth with property values having more than doubled in some West Coast towns over the past few years.”

She said most buyers looking to settle down in Velddrif are in the 36- to 64-year age bracket, though the number of younger buyers is on the rise.

“The dominant segments tend to be retired and semi-retired buyers, holiday home buyers, investors and families,” she said.

In addition, there are some developments taking place in the town that could see its attractiveness skyrocket over the next few years.

One such development is the Carinus Bridge, a new crossing over the Berg River connecting the town to the West Coast peninsula. Construction of the bridge is officially scheduled to commence in 2027.

According to the Velddrif Sakekamer website, this project will enhance regional connectivity, alleviate traffic congestion, and contribute to Velddrif’s economic development.

“It marks a pivotal step forward in supporting local growth and long-term investment in the community,” Nel said.

A new mall, De Drift, is also being developed in the town, which Nel believes will be an economic boost once complete.

“The increasing demand has resulted in more residential developments with estate living, gated communities and lifestyle estates expanding. Of course, prime land is limited, which is bound to push prices higher,” Nel said.