Safety Alert: Dangerous lagoon breakthrough at Noordhoek Beach (Table Mountain National Park)

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an urgent community advisory following a near-drowning incident at Noordhoek Beach, part of Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park.

According to local emergency services, including National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and City rescue teams, a hazardous situation has developed after the Noordhoek lagoon breached through to the ocean at the northern end of the beach, near the main car park.

The lagoon channel is currently wide, deep, and fast-moving, creating extremely dangerous conditions as water surges toward the sea. With incoming tides, the risk increases significantly—especially along the northern stretch of the beach.

Visitors are strongly advised to:

• Avoid the northern section of Noordhoek Beach, particularly near the car park
• Keep children and pets well away from the water’s edge
• Never attempt to cross the lagoon channel
• Remain alert, as conditions can change rapidly during a lagoon breakout

Travellers planning a visit to Noordhoek Beach should exercise extreme caution and follow all safety guidance while this situation remains active.

 

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Cape Town: SANParks has reiterated that kitesurfing is not permitted at Noordhoek Lagoon!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that it has reassessed the situation and reiterated the decision that kitesurfing is not permitted at Noordhoek Lagoon in Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town. The decision has been carefully considered and was made in the context of SANParks conservation mandate as well as in the interests of all users. According to SANParks, concerns have recently been raised by environmental and recreational user groups concerning the use of the Noordhoek Beach’s seasonal backshore lagoon that forms above the high water mark of the beach area. Kitesurfing at the backshore lagoon is officially prohibited since 2007. SANParks communicated the decision at the time and signage to this effect was erected at the car park and on the trail to the beach.

SANParks decision to ban kitesurfing at Noordhoek Beach’s seasonal backshore lagoon is mainly based on environmental reasons:

• Environmental Impact
  The lagoon represents a rare, if not unique, habitat type on the Peninsula. Because it experiences relatively limited human disturbance, it acts as a refuge for roosting birds driven from rocky-shore roosts by high levels of human disturbance.
• Fauna
  The area is a vital breeding ground for the African Black Oystercatcher, which is a Red Data Book species – a very threatened  species. The horse-riding community has agreed to restrict access here for these reasons. The results have been positive and to nullify this success by permitting an additional impactful activity such as high-speed kitesurfing would be a retrogressive step. The lagoon margins also support breeding pairs of White-fronted Plover which, while not threatened, struggle to breed along that coastline due to high levels of urbanization and human disturbance. The pan is also a significant commuting zone for Cape Clawless Otters on their way between the sea and Noordhoek wetlands.
• Flora
  The dune vegetation, vital for the functioning of the dune ecosystem, is easily disturbed. To permit an additional activity that threatens its health is highly undesirable.
• Access And Erosion
  If the vegetation is denuded erosion will set in. Additionally, in order to access the proposed site, users would use different approach routes. Proper conservation practice channels managed access through sensitive areas to limit the damage. New access routes will lead other path users to the desired routes, which will have a negative impact on the dune vegetation.
• Impact on other Users
  The horse-riding community has stated that kitesurfers spook horses. This places riders in danger of being thrown or horses bolting and endangering other users and horses in danger of injuring themselves. In addition, the lagoon is a popular place for families with young children. Speeding kiteboards impact on the peace and safety of the area, the birdlife, and other users.