Saldanha Bay

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Present day Saldanha Bay. Artificial breakwaters can be seen as lines. To the right (south) is the Langebaan lagoon, world famous as a refuge for birds

Saldanha Bay is an inlet on the south-western coast of South Africa, north west of Cape Town, forming a land-locked harbour. The northern part of the inlet is known as Hoetjes Bay. It has accommodation for a large fleet with deep water close inshore, but the arid nature of the country caused it to be neglected by the early navigators, and with the growth of Cape Town Saldanha Bay was rarely visited.

Saldanha Bay is named after Antonio de Saldanha, captain of a vessel in Albuquerque's fleet which visited South Africa in 1503. The name was first given to Table Bay, where Saldanha's ship cast anchor. On Table Bay being given its present name (1601) the older appellation was transferred to the bay now called after Saldanha. In 1781 a British squadron under Commodore George Johnstone seized six Dutch East Indiamen, which, fearing an attack on Cape Town, had taken refuge in Saldanha Bay. This was the only achievement, so far as South Africa was concerned, of the expedition despatched to seize Cape Town during the war of 1781-1783.

Saldana Bay is the terminus of a major system of railway lines. Iron ore mined in the northern deserts of the Cape is shipped from the port. Fishing is important. The area has a Mediterranean climate but the annual rainfall is quite low; it verges on the desert region of Namaqualand. Wheat can be grown most years and sheep raised. The South African Airforce has a major base nearby.