Paternoster

Paternoster is halfway to everywhere on the West Coast

Paternoster is situated the West Coast. Paternoster is a small and unspoiled fishing village 145 kms north of Cape Town on the coastal ROUTE 27 and through Vredenberg on the R45

Paternoster is an all year round destination famous for its strong traditional fisherman’s architecture, endless pristine sandy beaches, whales and dolphins frolicking in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, breathtaking sunsets and the millions of indigenous flowers which open and densely carpet the earth in bright bursts of colour.

Paternoster is also home to more than 250 species of birds with seabirds like the Oystercatcher using this coastline as their breeding ground There is a variety of small mammals with an occasional sighting of the strandwolf

An abundance sea delights are available on the Paternoster beach as the fishermen come in with their daily catch . In season you will find the locals offering “crawling” crayfish and delicious seafood is the specialty in the restaurants

Paternoster is a prime adventure-tourism territory from hiking , kayaking , diving , sailing , windsurfing , kite boarding to fishing along the coast …endless outdoor-activity options Paternoster on the West Coast may be wild at heart , but it offers travellers everything from an ecotourism wonderland to high adventure and soul food

This is one of the most attractive fishing villages along these shores. Paternoster means ‘Our Father’ and the town received it’s name, according to local legend, from the heartfelt prayers of shipwrecked sailors. Paternoster is well known as a processing and exporting centre for crayfish, while perlemoen and other seafood are also found in large quantities. Paternoster, with it’s whitewashed fisherman’s cottages, presents a perfect example of genuine, rustic West Coast village life.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Vredenburg 16 km

Average Temperatures

Summer 20°c; winter 11°c

NATURE

Columbine Nature Reserve

This 263 ha reserve is home to a wide variety of sandveld, fynbos and wild flowers. A camping and caravan site with 65 stands and basic ablution facilities is situated at Tietiesbaai. Fishing and diving for crayfish (lobster) and perlemoen (abalone) are allowed. The best time to visit is during September when the wild flowers are in full bloom. A true haven for nature lovers and photographers. The reserve is open throughout the year.

ATTRACTIONS

Cape Columbine

Site of the last manned lighthouse in the country

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Stompneusbaai to Paternoster

30 km one way, route along the beach, can be combined with the Tietiesbaai to Swartriet Trail.

Tietiesbaai to Swartriet

17 km one way, along the beach, can combine with Stompneus to Paternoster Trail.

Diving and Spearfishing

Various diving spots along the coast.

Accommodation in and around Paternoster