Papendorp, Cape West Coast
Near to the banks of the exquisite Olifants River, in the heart of the Cape West Coast of South Africa, is the small fishing village of Papendorp. This settlement is situated along the Atlantic Coast, the chilly water of which is brimming with fresh seafood and magnificent marine mammals for onlookers to enjoy.
Papendorp is situated at the Olifants River mouth, a short distance away from Ebenhaezer (which began as a Rhenish Mission Station, established in 1831). When the tide comes in and the waters rise, visitors can take a flat-bottomed boat up the river to Lutzville and its thriving vineyards. The natural splendour of the region is only enhanced by the history and culture imbued to it by generations of farmers and fishermen.
The Papendorp salt pans are used as commercial assets, and visitors are encouraged to visit them. Locals continue to thrive off the produce of the ocean, and fishermen are frequently seen making or mending their nets by hand. Fresh and salted fish is available for purchase, and tourists will surely enjoy the delicious flavours of South African seafood.
The wetlands of this village are an important natural commodity, as they attract an inordinate array of bird species, including migratory birds. This has earned it the status of being an official Important Bird Area (or IBA), which lends it even more in the way of its faunal and floral value.
Papendorp is characterised by its remote, tranquil beauty, and makes for an idyllic escape from the city life at just about any time of year.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Letsatsi Lodge
Situated just outside Vanrhynsdorp, Letsatsi Lodge is an ideal stop over on the N7 route between Cape Town, Namibia, Springbok and Upington. The ...
Abalone Boutique Hotel
Imagine the most decadent escape possible, cocooned in opulence and surrounded by intricate indigenous gardens - the cool Atlantic Ocean as backd...
Bougain Villa Two Bed
Bougain Villa Two Bed offers self-catering located in Paternoster. It has two bedrooms. The main bedroom is furnished with a King-size bed and h...
Rienks Beach Nook
Rienks Beach Nook is situated less than 100m from the beach on the Golden Mile. This holiday apartment offers self catering accommodation in St H...
Seemansrust
Seemansrus is a 4 bedroom, holiday home situated right on the beach at Langebaan. The house has a lovely enclosed garden and a luscious lawn; you...
The Loft on Malmok
The Loft on Malmok offers accommodation in an apartment located on the owners property in Paternoster. The area is a fishermans village and is si...
Aant Dorpseind
Aant Dorpseind offers Cape West Coast self catering in the town of Vanrhynsdorp. The accommodation is within walking distance of the world-renown...
Zeezicht Apartments
Zeezicht Apartments offers Shelley Point accommodation in a cluster of five elegantly furnished self-catering holiday apartments overlooking the ...
Things to do in the area
Berg River Canooze
The Berg River Canooze, one of five trails that take place within the Cape West Coast Biosphere, is a relatively easy downstream kayak from Hopef...
Fryer's Cove Vineyards
In 1925 Dutchman Koos Bleeker first established a crayfish packing factory in Doringbaai. He found Jan Laubscher to assist with the factory’s co...
Strandfontein Beach
Attention fisherman, anglers and explorers. Strandfontein beach is ideal when trying to get a great catch, collecting muscles or even crayfishing...
Noteworthy attractions
Bird Island Nature Reserve
The world’s most accessible Cape gannet colony can be found on an island, linked to Lambert’s Bay by a breakwater wall. Bird Island also gives sh...
Darling Wine Route
Although traditionally part of the Swartland, Darling is now a demarcated wine district and home to her own wine route, including five wine cella...
West Coast National Park
Just inland from the secluded harbour of Saldanha Bay one finds the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, focal point of the West Coast National ...
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Rocherpan enthusiasts who head off along the West Coast to visit this nature reserve near Velddrif will possibly mention to you that the bird lif...
Langebaan Golf Club
The Golf Course at Langebaan Country Club is a links-type course, designed as a figure 8 winding around residential stands. Located on the unspoi...
Verlorenvlei
Verlorenvlei is a long estuary stretching between the villages of Elands Bay and Redelinghuys, some 25 kilometres south of Lambert’s Bay. It is n...
West Coast Fossil Park
For the visitor, the highlight of the West Coast Fossil Park is the ‘live’ exhibit of an ongoing excavation of early Pliocene fossils (fossils fr...
Postberg Flower Reserve
The Postberg Flower Reserve is not always available for you to visit. Even though it forms part of the West Coast National Park, this part of it ...
Darling Wind Farm
On the hills just outside Darling, roughly 70 kilometres from Cape Town, stand four wind-generated mills. It's known as an Eskom demonstrator sit...
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