Beaches
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Paternoster If you’ve ever been to Paternoster, the standout will be the endless stretch of deserted white sandy beach. Think spectacular sunsets, succulent West Coast seafood, brightly painted wooden boats and friendly fishermen.
Paternoster happily remains an easygoing fishing village where you can buy freshly caught crayfish from locals off the boat. It’s a great beach for walking, sea kayaking, fishing, whale and dolphin watching, windsurfing and horse riding.
Things to do near
Paternoster
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Beaches
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Britannia Bay (11.6 km from Paternoster) This beautiful beach boasts magical scenery and a typical Cape West Coast feel, with a pristine stretch of whit sand, tiny shell-strewn nooks, and beautifully etched rocky areas. Swimming and diving is very popular here.
Beaches
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St Helena Bay (13.4 km from Paternoster) This quaint little bay is situated between St Helena Bay and Shelley Point. Quite a few fisheries can be found here, hence its name. Beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere, as well as some educational insight into the fishing industry can be enjoyed here.
Golf Courses
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Shelley Point (14.5 km from Paternoster) Wonderful 9-hole links golf course in the middle of the peninsula where you have seaviews from all, except one hole.
Beaches
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Shelley Point (14.8 km from Paternoster) Three gorgeous beaches surround the peninsula of Shelley Point, each with their own unique characteristics. On the western side is Britannia Bay Beach, an unspoiled 5 km stretch of white sand.
Tucked away on the northern side is the protected Shelley Bay Beach, named for the fusion of sand, beach pebbles and shells. Stompneus Bay Beach is on the eastern side, characterized by little coves of alternating rock and sand.
Whales and dolphins are frequently seen. Look out for the rare Heaviside's Dolphin, only found off the coast of Namibia and South Africa's West Coast.
The seafood from the West Coast is legendary, and the Shelley Bay area has no shortage of excellent crayfishing, fishing and diving spots.
Beaches
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Jacobs Bay (17.8 km from Paternoster) This beautiful unspoilt beach in Jacobs Bay still retains the typical, warm West Coast holiday village feel. The sandy shores are perfect for long walks and the Atlantic waters ideal for water sports and swimming, albeit quite icy.
Beaches
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Blue Water Bay (21.4 km from Paternoster) Bluewater Bay is a beautiful stretch of beach that is great for swimming, fishing and surfing. In peak season the beach is patrolled by life guards, and there is a kids playground and ablution facilities available.
Beaches
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Saldanha (23.9 km from Paternoster) Tietiesbaai is a beautiful, unspoilt beach set in the popular Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. It is the western-most beach on the Western Cape and is perfect for campig families and groups. The last manually controlled and first lighthouse to be seen by ships coming from Europe, can be found here.
Popular Attractions
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Saldanha (24.2 km from Paternoster) Oliphantskop Horse Trails offers a lovely 2-hour eco route for horse riders in the Saldanha Nature Reserve.
Starting at the Saldanha military base, riders will follow a route taking them into the nature reserve. The route is strictly for advanced riders only, and a minimum of 2 years riding experience is required.
You can enjoy the ride on your own horse or with one of Oliphantskop's trained horses.
Galleries and Museums
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Langebaan (28.6 km from Paternoster) Five million years ago the Cape’s West Coast was very different from what it is today. A wide range of animals (now extinct) lived in riverine forests, wooded savannah, and ocean as well as on offshore islands.
Phosphate mining operations at Langebaanweg uncovered one of the richest fossil sites in the world.
Over the past 40 years bones of 200 different kinds of animals, many of them new to science have been recovered. A few years after mining operations ceased in 1993, a 14 hectare fossil-rich area within the mine property was declared a National Heritage Site.
The West Coast Fossil Park, a component of Iziko Museums, offers visitors an opportunity to have an on-site fossil experience.
Learn about mysterious ancient environments, fascinating animal life and the climatic changes that occurred in this region 5 million years ago on a guided tour. The West Coast Fossil Park also has a kiddie’s play park, gift shop, picnic areas as well as a lovely coffee shop.
Need to know? The main tour runs from 11:30 – 13:00 every day of the week and includes a slide presentation and visit to the dig site. Mini tours are available every hour from 9:00 –15:00 weekdays (except at 12:00); phone +27 (0) 22 766 1606 for mini tour times over weekends and public holidays. The mini tour includes a visit to the dig site.
Casinos
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Mykonos (30.4 km from Paternoster) Mykonos Casino in Langebaan is an easy one-hour drive from Cape Town, making it accessible to come for the day or stay for a weekend. Catch your breath and enjoy hours of entertainment and good times. Strike it rich on one of 320 slot machines or on the blackjack, poker or roulette tables.
Popular Attractions
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Velddrif (30.9 km from Paternoster) Tollies River & Boat Cruises in Velddrif offer fun and exciting cruises for all.
Enjoy splendid sunset cruises and bird-watching cruises - just bring your snacks and refreshments along and you'll be treated to an unforgettable experience. This activity is child friendly with high safety standards.
Beaches
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Calypso Beach (31.1 km from Paternoster) Calypso Beach on Langebaan Lagoon is a pristine West-facing beach with warm water. As there are no currents, it is perfect for swimming and bodysurfing in small waves. Occasionally there are surfing conditions when large winter swell wraps through the lagoon mouth.
The water is shallow and inviting and the beach has some windless zones neatly tucked out of the South Easter. The best part about this beach is the ease of access and privacy.
Popular Attractions
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Langebaan (31.8 km from Paternoster) Oliphantskop Horse Trails has been in operation for years and prides itself in providing splendid scenic horse-back rides.
The Langebaan ride is about 1 hour which leads through the granite quarries, to the highest point above Langebaan, providing a beautiful view of the town and ocean. Ideal for beginners and advanced riders, even children.
Popular Attractions
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Velddrif (32.1 km from Paternoster) Wander along the oldest road in Velddrif where time seems to stand still. Watch the tide come in while the local fisherman ply their trade in the age old way. Sip a cocktail at one of the restaurants or amble along and buy a piece of West Coast art from the local art gallery.
Beaches
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Langebaan (33.2 km from Paternoster) This beautiful stretch of beach is about 500 m south of the main beach. Here you will find the Langebaan Yacht Club, and the mooring spots for yachts and motorboats. Warm waters can sometimes be find, but swimmers need to take heed of strong currents.