The naming of Saldanha was the result of an error as in 1503 a Portuguese Captain Antonia de Saldanha arrived at the foot of Table Mountain where he took water. For hundreds of years, Table Bay was known as "Aquada de Saldanha" - The Watering place of Saldanha. In 1601a Dutch captain sailed in past what we now know as Saldanha Bay and named the area "Tafel Baai". Despite opposition the name of Saldanha has stuck. Jan van Riebeeck is recorded as saying about this area that "There is no land in the whole world so barren and unblessed by the Lord God". Heavy guano deposits caused a guano rush in 1830 as it makes excellent fertiliser. The guano is found on Malgas Island. There are 6 islands surrounding Saldanha Bay. They are Vondeling, Schaapen, Jutten, Meeu and Marcus.

The Langebaan Lagoon is 16 km long and approx. 4.5 km wide and is connected to Saldanha Bay by a narrow channel. It is not more than 6 m deep and is a favourite feeding ground for flamingos, herons and sacred ibis. The lagoon was once home to huge colonies of oysters but changes to water temperatures has killed them off. Today this area is one of the biggest oyster graveyards in the world.

The cold blue waters of the Atlantic yield a rich harvest of mussels, oysters and rock lobster. You can also see cormorants, sandpipers and Cape Gannets. The national park is home to more than 13 species of buck, porcupine, jackal, fox, cats etc.

Which is 131 m above sea level. Great view of lagoon and islands can be seen clearly. (Weather permitting)