Saldanha Bay Hotel will host its annual Seafood Festival on November 26.

Situated in the heart of South Africa’s West Coast culinary route, Saldanha Bay Hotel has earned a reputation as a destination for seafood lovers. From humble beginnings as a fishing village, the town of Saldanha has grown into one of South Africa’s key producers of mussels and oysters over the years.

In celebration of this rich heritage the hotel launched its inaugural Seafood Festival in 2019 and it’s now back, due to popular demand.

The festival will take place from 09h00 until 17h00 on the Saldanha Bay Hotel lawns, on the water’s edge overlooking the bay.  

Festival attendees can sample tasty West Coast treats from a variety of food stalls offering everything from oyster experiences to snoek on the fire to burgers and grilled items. Local craft beer and wine tastings will be on offer, as well as a variety of local artisan stalls selling handmade wares and other interesting bric-a-brac.

The day will include a programme of live music and entertainment including performances by jazz artists Richard Ceaser and Miles Entertainment. Kids can expect a special appearance by eight-year-old DJ, Sophia, winner of SA’s Young Talent competition.

Loads of other entertainment is planned for the kids including bumper rides, a programme of kids’ activities, a magic show, a talent show and prizes for best-dressed attendees. Little ones can also enjoy playing on the hotel’s jungle gym and bouncy castle.

Saldanha Bay is roughly an hour and a half’s drive from Cape Town. For those wanting to extend the experience to a weekend getaway and stay over for the night, Saldanha Bay Hotel is offering a Seafood Festival Accommodation Package starting from just R2 000 (€117) for two people. 

This includes one night’s accommodation at the hotel, a seafood platter for two people, breakfast and entrance tickets to the festival. Guests also receive a R100 (€5) spa voucher which can be used towards a couple’s massage.

Guests can also extend their stay for a second night on a bed and breakfast basis for only R1 150 (€67) for two people sharing.

The hotel is also offering the option for families to bring along two kids under the age of five free. Families will be accommodated in four-sleeper rooms. Children also receive a R50 spa voucher for any of the inhouse kids’ spa treatments.

“We are very excited to be hosting the third annual Seafood Festival at Saldanha Bay Hotel. This will showcase the vast array of taste experiences available on the Western Cape West Coast, all of which are locally grown and produced. Culinary travel is a growing driver of tourism and local cuisine is a key part of any authentic travel experience,” said the hotel’s GM, Jeremy Govender. 

Saldanha Bay Hotel forms part of the portfolio of Providence Hospitality hotels. “It is wonderful to see events and festivals returning to South Africa’s West Coast. We are extremely proud of the initiatives that Saldanha Bay Hotel is taking with regard to spearheading events such as the Seafood Festival and the regular Picnic on the Bay concerts. 

“We encourage local travellers and international tourists to journey to the beautiful West Coast to experience the fresh seafood, delicious oysters and warm West Coast hospitality first hand at the upcoming Seafood festival. There is no better setting for this than on the water’s edge at the Saldanha Bay Hotel,” commented MD of Providence Hospitality South Africa, Neil Hughes.