If it’s the bright lights you’re after, then the West Coast is not for you - unless you choose rather to gaze up at star-studded skies.

If it’s lights, camera, action, then keep to the fast lane in the city; steer clear of life in the slow lane, for that’s what we’re all about: braaivleis, sunny skies and dodging the stresses and strains of urban sprawl..

Dolphin B&B+S/C
offers you the chance to catch up on your reading, to soak up the sun. Oh man, life is great and the living is easy.

Here three-star comfortable and affordable accommodation is the order of the day and the theme of a good night’s sleep.

Simply the Best
We strive to live up to our credo that ‘the customer is king' (or queen, as the case may be!). Late lie-ins, leisurely breakfasts – the little things that make for a great getaway. 2008 will see the tenth year that host Lucille has been in the hospitality game (“Game?” she muses, “yes, it has been fun!”).

Using the various skills honed in the oil industry where she worked for many years, as well as running an antique shop, has stood Lucille in good stead to anticipate and meet her guests’ needs.“My little establishment has a sound track record, but only because I’ve had great guests,” she adds.

“Each new visitor brings new-found knowledge. I never stop learning and in return I am able to impart some of the stories and snippets of this wild and wonderful area and in that way convince visitors that they have truly found the jewel of the West Coast.”

A Natural Beauty Spot
An avid birder and founder member of the West Coast Bird Club, Lucille waxes lyrical about the myriad species found in the many IBA’s (Important Bird Areas) that make up the Flamingo Route, launched by BirdLife SA recently as an initiative of Saldanha Bay Tourism Organisation of which she is an active member.

I am also an onshore spotter of dolphins and whales and being able to point out a cetacean or three to guests is the highlight of my day.”

Another area that holds her interest is the St Helena Bay Water Quality Trust of which she is manager, a forum that acts as a facilitator between the fishing industry and Department of Water Affairs.

“Through sampling done by CSIR in the bay (Dwarskersbos to Cape St Martin) bi-weekly, we are able to identify any problem areas and motivate industry to act quickly to rectify things.

” St Helena Bay – so named by Vasco da Gama (it is said because he landed here on the feast of the patron saint of Portugal of that name) is fast becoming a preferred destination on the West Coast.

This sleepy little fishing village now boasts state-of-the-art aquaculture operations and is home to the manufacturers of scented candles destined for the international market.

It is also a launching point for the vino-culturists who want to explore the 50-odd estates that have sprung up recently. “From shiraz to semillon, merlot to mourvèdre, they’re here for the tasting,” says Lucille, “and all in a day’s drive too.”