Western Cape DestinationsPaternoster, Cape West Coast
Paternoster, meaning "Our Father" derives its name from the prayers of ship-wrecked Portuguese sailors. Paternoster is a small, quaint and picturesque fishing village about 145km (90 minutes drive) from Cape Town and 15km north west of Vredenburg.
A favourite weekend getaway destination for Capetonians, Paternoster is one of the oldest towns along the West Coast and is famous for its abundance of crayfish. Paternoster is an all year round destination famous for its traditional fisherman’s architecture and endless pristine sandy white beaches.
Visitors to Paternoster delight in watching whales and dolphins frolicking in the ocean (ten months of the year) and after the first spring rains fall the landscape is transformed by the millions of indigenous flowers which open and densely carpet the earth in bright bursts of colour (usually between late July and September).
Activities and attractions include Beach Buggy trip along the coastline, long walks on the beaches, fishing, boat and land based cray-fishing, diving and spear fishing excursions, hiking trails, mountain biking, sea kayaking are all popular activities.
Visit the nearby West Coast Fossil Park and the Cape Columbine lighthouse (the last manned lighthouse built in in 1936).
Additional Reading
For first hand reviews see our articles:
• Paternoster, a quaint West Coast fishing village
• A review of Paternoster's Restaurants
• Paternoster, a palliate for the Soul
• A day in Paternoster
