The West Coast National Park houses about 60 000 waterbirds and waders and thousands of visitors are attracted annually to this internationally renowned wetland. A large part of the bird population migrates each summer from the Arctic circle to this region, to turn the park into a birdwatcher's paradise. The Langebaan Lagoon is 17 km in length and 4,5 km wide. The oldest anatomically modern fossilised human footprints were discovered in the park as well as the remains of an extinct bear, saber-toothed cat, a short-necked giraffe and a three-toed horse.

The lagoon and the islands of Malgas, Marcus, Jutten and Schaapen were originally proclaimed as Langebaan National Park in 1985. The park's area was increased with the inclusion of the Postberg Nature Reserve and other land areas to 24 700 ha. The park is nowadays a continuous strip of coastline, tidal lagoon and sandveld (sand dune area) from Langebaan in the north to Yzerfontein in the south, located 130 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape.

The cold Benguela current is responsible for the relatively cool weather all year round. Rainfall takes place in winter and is very low, but fog is a common phenomenon. Succulents store water in their leaves for dry seasons and floral species' seeds wait for months before they germinate to change the barren landscape into a flower carpet. Lilies, aloes and the Iridaceae family are some of the 4 000 flowering plant species.

Accommodation is provided at Langebaan Lodge, as well as at club Mykonos (not within the boundries of the park).

The lagoon is biologically the richest stretch of water in South Africa. It supports more than 500 species of invertebrate creatures on which the birds feed. 25 species of birds are found in this region throughout the year. Cormorants, gulls, sandpipers, plovers, gannets and flamingoes are the most common of these types. If the temporary visitors are included the amount of bird species rises to over 200. Game in the park comprises of the most common antelope species such as springbok, mountain zebra, kudu, eland, bontebok and gemsbok. Predators include caracal, Cape wildcat, genet, Cape grey mongoose and black backed jackal. Many fish species such as skates, rays, sand sharks and mullets find their home in the warm waters of the lagoon.

The Postberg section of the park is famous for its wild flowers which bloom during the spring months of August and September. The Vlaeberg range in Postberg offers panoramic views over the lagoon and ocean.