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15 things to do in Paternoster on the West Coast

22/2/2017

20 Comments

 
Nature reserve, Paternoster, West Coast
By Roxanne Reid
For the locals, life in Paternoster still revolves around the sea. Fishing is the historical lifeblood of the village and fishermen still go out almost every day in their colourful boats. For visitors, of course, there’s more variety. Here are 15 things to do in Paternoster on the West Coast of South Africa.

1. Enjoy some West Coast humour
Paternoster, West Coast
Look out for the broken windmill on your right-hand side as you drive from Vredenburg to Paternoster along the R399. Its legs still stand straight and tall but most of its blades are missing and it looks sad and lost. A signage company saw an opportunity for a bit of fun (and advertising too) and erected a huge blue and yellow sign with the word Moertoegepomp. For those who don’t understand Afrikaans, the sign says something like ‘pumped to hell’, only a lot more pithy. 

Look out for other flashes of humour too; they’re not hard to find. Like the car with the vanity licence plate declaring to any potential thieves, ‘DUS MYNE’ (this is mine).

2. See the Panty Bar at the Paternoster Hotel
Panty Bar, Paternoster, West Coast
The Paternoster Hotel – famous for its pub called the Panty Bar – was built in 1863 and served as a bank, church, school, library and jail before becoming a hotel in 1940. It’s been in the Carosini family for 43 years, Afrikaners despite their Italian-sounding name. Here women’s panties of all sizes and types hang in rainbow disarray, hinting at booze-fuelled parties that may have gone a step too far.

The collection was removed in 1983 when a straight-laced dominee complained about the ‘unholy’ practice, but reinstated again in the 1990s. Local gossip has it that the hapless cop charged with removing them was forever called ‘Panty’ Basson by anyone who knew the story.

3. Visit the tourism office
Pop in at the Paternoster tourism office in Seeduiker Street at Die Kom, above where the fishing boats are beached, to find out more about the town, its history and things to do. ‘The best things to do here are walks on the beach and hiking in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve,’ Manerva Clarke told us. If you’re looking for directions, recommendations for Paternoster restaurants or even information on surrounding towns, this is the place to find them. 

4. Visit the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve
Nature reserve, Paternoster, West Coast
This nature reserve covers some 263ha along a rocky stretch of coastline a few kilometres west of town. There are a number of picnic or braai spots, and camping at Tieties Bay.

5. Visit the Cape Columbine lighthouse
Cape Columbine lighthouse, Paternoster, West Coast
The lighthouse on Castle Rock  inside the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve is one of the last manually controlled lighthouse in South Africa. It was built in 1936. The powerful light is 80m above sea level and can be seen from about 60km away. For a small fee, the light-keeper will let you climb the 97 steps to the top of the tower to admire the view.
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6. Go birding
Bird watching is good, with over 225 bird species in the area. Cape Columbine Nature Reserve is one of the best places at Paternoster to see a mix of land and sea birds.

7. See the spring flowers
Spring flowers, Paternoster, West Coast
The fields around Paternoster break into glorious colour from late July to September, but by far the best display is in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, with its carpet of white, yellow, orange and purple spring flowers.

8. Go whale-watching
If you’re observant, you may be able to spot some dolphins, seals, penguins or whales. Research has shown that a group of southern right whales stay in the historic feeding grounds off Paternoster, Cape Columbine, St Helena Bay and Saldanha Bay in summer instead of going back to the Southern Ocean to feed. Thanks to the Benguela current off the West Coast, the area offers year-round whale watching, although there are usually more in October and November. For more specific info call or sms the whale watch hotline on 079-3912105.

9. Walk on the beach
Beach at Paternoster, West Coast
Although the sea water is a bit too cold for swimming, the long white beaches are perfect for walking. Alternatively, take a book and park under an umbrella or watch the sunset light up the sky in shades of pink and mauve. The beach is also perfect for flying a kite on a windy day.

10. Go kayaking
Gecko Adventures rents out kayaks from Crayfish Wharf (corner of St Augustine and Kreefte streets). Go out beyond the breakers and drink in the fresh sea air. The area is also ideally suited to kite-surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving (not for beginners).

11. Get fish and chips on the beach
Fish shop, Paternoster restaurants, West Coast
Buy your fish and chips at On the Rocks, next to the fish market where the boats come in and sell their catch. Sit and eat them at picnic tables outside, or take them to the beach to enjoy.

12. Shop at Die Winkel op Paternoster
Paternoster, West Coast
Outside, a wooden boat and old black bicycle prepare you for the magpie muddle inside. Jams and chutneys might cluster side by side with a pram-load of nuts and dried fruit. Rickety dressers are stuffed with crockery, Simply Bee toiletries, olive oil, candles, veldskoen, dolls, sweets and enamelware like soup ladles hanging from the light fixture. Old suitcases and Mazawattee tins are part of the decor, faded tin signs advertise Hubbly Bubbly or Lion condensed milk, and there’s a fridgeful of welcome cold drinks. There’s a small tea garden outside.

13. Get arty
Stroll around the village and pop in to some of the local art and craft centres, potteries and galleries.

14. Eat, eat, eat! 
Reuben's, Paternoster restaurants, West Coast
Paternoster forms part of the West Coast Way’s Foodie Route, so food – especially seafood – is an important part of the experience. There are around 20 Paternoster restaurants ranging from burger and pizza places to fine dining. A recurring favourite – both for the food and the venue – is the Noisy Oyster, but I’ve also had good food at the restaurant at Abalone House (pictured), the Square Spoon, Leeto, Voorstrandt and Gaaitjie. Wolfgat is a different experience – a tasting menu combining seafood with unusual plants harvested from the area. See also: Paternoster restaurants worth visiting 

15. Stay a night or two
Paternoster Lodge, Paternoster, West Coast
With an astonishing 4 hotels, 18 guesthouses and 152 self-catering establishments in Paternoster, there’s no shortage of places to stay. Choose from swanky four- and five-star guesthouses or more affordable self-catering options. For the budget conscious visitor there’s camping right next to the sea at Tietiesbaai in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. Just don’t go in the summer holiday season, when it’s packed and a bit short of ablutions for the multitudes. Out of season, it’s wonderfully peaceful and beautiful.
​
Did you find this article interesting? Pin this image!
 Want to make the most of your visit to Paternoster on the Cape West Coast in South Africa? Discover lots to do, from whale-watching, spring flowers and a quirky panty bar to Paternoster restaurants, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and lighthouse, beaches, and walking. #nature #lighthouse #WestCoast
 Want to make the most of your visit to Paternoster on the Cape West Coast in South Africa? Discover lots to do, from whale-watching, spring flowers and a quirky panty bar to Paternoster restaurants, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and lighthouse, beaches, and walking. #nature #lighthouse #WestCoast
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Paternoster accommodation: Azzuro self-catering
Paternoster restaurants worth visiting

Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
20 Comments
Jan
22/2/2017 10:03:05 pm

It seems an ideal weekend venue. Good food and some entertaining places to visit. I was born on a farm so had a good laugh at moertoegepomp!

Reply
Roxanne
23/2/2017 07:54:53 am

It's a great place for a few days, Jan. I wasn't born on a farm but I also had a good chuckle at moertoegepomp!

Reply
Melissa Javan link
26/2/2017 11:40:40 am

This is a great list - I have been to Paternoster and you surely hit the nail on the hit. Nice!

Reply
Roxanne
26/2/2017 08:30:42 pm

Thanks for the support, Melissa. I'm sure there are lots of other things to do, but these seemed to tick all the main boxes for me.

Reply
Etienne
28/2/2017 12:54:10 pm

Could you please email me this artcle if possible, most appreciated.

Reply
Roxanne
28/2/2017 04:24:38 pm

Not sure why you'd want it emailed to you when you can read it here, Etienne, but I'll email the link to you anyway.

Reply
Rob Wain
1/3/2017 08:28:52 am

The restaurants are fantastic. The Noisy Oyster is my favourite.

Reply
Roxanne
1/3/2017 08:30:12 am

Snap, Robert, mine too. But I love exploring many of the others too. So much good food in a little village!

Reply
De Lint
2/3/2017 06:33:27 am

Dankie vir waardevolle inligting. Ons gaan Wittebrood hou in die Wesus in April.

Reply
Roxanne
2/3/2017 08:03:09 am

You're welcome, De Lint. Congrats and I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon. Geniet die Weskus!

Reply
Marleen
19/8/2017 08:15:13 pm

We stayed at the Strandloper Ocean hotel - http://www.strandloperocean.com, and had great food in their restaurant as well. We also had the opportunity to drive through the dunes by a beach buggy https://www.farrout.co.za/activities/beach-buggy - highly recommended by us.

Reply
Roxanne
19/8/2017 08:30:13 pm

Sounds like fun, Marleen. Thanks for the tips for a future trippie.

Reply
Vince link
16/4/2018 07:27:19 pm

We are going to Paternoster tomorrow and would like to know what it costs to go to the top of the light house please?

Reply
Roxanne
19/4/2018 10:32:06 am

You can visit the lighthouse for nothing, Vince, but if you want to climb to the top there's a small fee. I can't remember now, but it was something like R20 a person.

Reply
Rebecca
17/11/2018 04:42:16 pm

I would love to go to Paternoster but won't be able to drive. Do you know if there is a bus service between CPT and Paternoster? It looks so beautiful.

Reply
Roxanne
3/12/2018 09:22:51 am

I'm sorry, Rebecca, I have absolutely no idea. I've only ever driven there. Perhaps you could google it or ask Paternoster Tourism.

Reply
Christa Grobbelaar
4/3/2019 11:19:02 am

We are west coast fans,going to Paternoster the 3rd time in a row. We found May very peaceful,staying at La Baleine gives you the best view over the village at night and is pet friendly.This time we stay for a whole week making the 2 day drive there worth while.Wish it was closer to home

Reply
Roxanne
7/3/2019 08:04:27 pm

Sounds lovely, Christa. A few days in Paternoster sure feels like a week's holiday anywhere else.

Reply
Craig Barnes
24/1/2021 09:47:52 pm

Soooo excited! Planning a surprise trip for my partners birthday!

Reply
Roxanne
25/1/2021 07:13:27 am

Have a wonderful time, Craig. It really is a super getaway for a special occasion.

Reply

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
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