Paternoster is often called ‘Perfect Paternoster’ for its orderly array of quaint little beach cottages and colourful boats spread across the long, white-sandy beach. It’s one of the last remaining traditional fishing villages on this breathtaking stretch of coastline, and is one of the most romantic and peaceful places on the West Coast. In August and September, the picture is framed by the magnificent carpet of wild flowers.
This is one of the oldest West Coast towns, famous for its crayfish, and is a year round destination with a long list of things to do. Whale, dolphin, seal and penguin watching, walks along the sandy beach, sea kayaking, surf and sea angling, seasonal crayfishing, diving and spear-fishing are all very popular. For bird lovers, Paternoster is home to over 250 species of birds with seabirds (Seagulls, cormorants, sacred ibis and the Oystercatcher) using this coastline as their breeding ground.
Die Winkel, just off the main road supplies deli foods, and opposite Die Winkel is the smaller Padstal, which sells anything from T-shirts to fudge, shell mobiles, jars of marinated mussels and finally dried fish! Another well-known landmark is the shop ‘Oep vir Koep’, situated on the corner when you enter the town. Here you can buy some local delicacies like koeksusters (sweet pastries), snoek, fig preserve, some local brands and bokkoms or you can stop off for a while and enjoy a tea or coffee at the tea garden. Die Voorstandt is a popular seafood restaurant at the beach.
The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, just south of Paternoster at Tietiesbaai, offers whale and dolphin spotting, wild flowers, fynbos-covered dunes, rock pools, shell-strewn stretches of sand and a richly diverse bird life. The sounds of seagulls, cormorants, sacred ibis and many other seabirds fill the air of the reserve along this rocky stretch of coast south of Paternoster. Its manual lighthouse is the last of its kind. Kayaking the inlets and shoreline is said to be some of the best available.
There is a 10 hour, 30km hike from Stompneusbaai to Paternoster. This hike follows the coast from Stompneusbaai, through Britannia Bay and Cape St Martin before skirting the Groot Paternoster Nature Reserve. The hiker is rewarded with pristine beaches, rocky coastline, sheltered bays and a riot of flowers in spring. Take plenty of water, and leave early. A permit is required from the Saldanha Municipality (022 701 7000). E-mail: mun@saldanhabay.co.za
Paternoster is about 150km from Cape Town. Take the R27 and turn off at the R45 going to Vredenburg, which becomes the R399. Follow this road into the town of Paternoster.
Read our detailed information on the West Coast at ShowMe West Coast.
