Velddrif is situated some 2 km upstream from where the Berg River flows into the sea at the Bay of St Helena on the Cape West Coast.
The name Velddrif came into existence when a farmer, Theunis Smit, took his stock through a drift in the veld, to find grazing across the river. The animals often had to swim across the river. Later on, in 1899, a pont was built, which was the only means of crossing the Berg River.
About a hundred years ago, the wheat harvest from the Sandveld was brought down the Berg River to a storing place near the river mouth. There it was then loaded onto smaller boats to take the wheat across the sand banks to bigger ships waiting further out, on their way to Cape Town.
The "loading place" eventually became Laaiplek- adjacent to Velddrif. In 1968 engineers blasted a channel, linking the river with St Helena Bay, and the fishing harbour of Laaiplek was completed.
Velddrif Accommodation offers visitors a choice of hotels, caravan parks and guest houses in and around Velddrif. Some are situated on the riverbanks and offer spectacular views of both the rivermouth and the sea.
Velddrif and its environs have an ambience that, once experienced, will bring one back time and time again.
The mild Mediterranean climate offers year round vacation possibilities. Here, life drifts on in a peaceful atmosphere, giving one time to unwind, to relax without crowds, noise and traffic, and to surround oneself with undisturbed nature.
