Yzerfontein, a small harbour town on Cape Town’s west coast, and notable landing station for subsea cables, has seen remarkable growth in its property market, with prices nearly tripling over the past decade.

In 2014, the average home price was R1.25 million, but by 2024, it had surged to R3.1 million, reflecting a 196% increase. This growth is part of a wider trend along the West Coast, fuelled by semigration and the influx of wealth to the region.

According to the latest data from Seeff Property Group, small West Coast towns like Yzerfontein are no longer just holiday or retirement destinations.

More South Africans are drawn to these towns for their relaxed lifestyle and business opportunities, with Yzerfontein’s scenic beauty making it especially appealing.

The town’s active rental market reflects this demand, with monthly rents for small properties ranging from R10,000 to R12,500, and larger homes commanding up to R24,000.

Just over an hour from Cape Town, Yzerfontein is cherished for its unspoiled coastal charm and lack of commercialisation. Buyers, particularly from Cape Town, are flocking to the area for its peaceful, picturesque setting, says Michelle Livingstone-Louw from Seeff.

In 2023, Seeff closed property sales in Yzerfontein as high as R6.8 million and R6.35 million. These top-end prices have more than doubled in the past 18 to 24 months, driven by strong interest from foreign buyers, returning expats, and wealthy inland buyers looking to invest in coastal property.

Vacant land continues to get snatched up, with a 640 square metre plot fetching R2.2 million for example, while a 1,000 square metre vacant plot one road away from the beach is going for as much as R5.2 million.

More homes are being valued above the R15 million price range, including a six-bedroom property with views of the ocean and Table Mountain, valued at R21 million.

Yzerfontein’s property market has become a key player in the growing demand for coastal homes in the Western Cape.