Visit Paternoster, South Africa

Paternoster is a small fishing village which enjoys the best of the coast in this area.

Small-scale angling and crayfish netting is the primary economic activity here and accounts for much of the charm of the settlement, from the little whitewashed cottages where the fishermen live, to their colourful painted boats which line the shore when not out at sea. You'll also find the best fish and chips and crayfish on the West Coast here.

For those travellers who do venture this far off the beaten track, you should be sure not to miss Columbine Nature Reserve, just 3 km west of the village. This relatively small reserve makes for a welcome contrast to the salty plains which are so typical of the area and was established to conserve the indigenous sandveld fynbos.

Here vast vegetated dunes sweep down to a pink shore of granite boulders, little coves and beaches which are tinted blue by the oyster shells which are washed ashore and ground to fine particles. There are some wonderful hiking trails through the reserve (see Vredenberg tourist office for maps and details).

Between Paternoster and the reserve, you will find the Columbine lighthouse (open for tours from Mon-Fri) which was built in 1936. This lighthouse is the first visible to ships from Europe rounding Africa.

For the more active, sea kayaking trips can be arranged from the reserve and offer the chance to observe the bird and marine life (including whales, in season, dolphins and seals) off the coast.