About Self Drive Saldanha to Paternoster
Route: Saldanha, Langebaan, Churchhaven, Postberg Nature Reserve, Velddrif and Laaiplek, Dwarskersbos, Cape Columbine and Paternoster.
Description: The waters of Saldanha bay and Langebaan Lagoon, the spring flowers of Postberg NR, and the fishing harbours between Laaiplek and Paternoster
Length: roughly 180 km
Time: a day, at least
Overnight: Paternoster.
The seaside village of Saldanha and its picturesque harbour is dominated by the fishing industry.
From the harbour drive inland along Dias Road, turning right into Sea Bride Street, and left at the t-junction into Windhoek, and then right into Panorama Drive, uphill to a wonderful view point, where you can see the lagoon stretch away from you.
Saldanha to Postberg
Leave Saldanha on Camp Street along the north shore of the bay, past a caravan park on the shore of the lagoon to your right. Camp Street veers right and reaches a major railway crossing.
Roughly 8 km later, take a right into Languna Sands Street, and then a left to pass the Laguna Mall, following this road alongside the lagoon. On the lagoon front you will pass Leentjiesklip caravan park and the well-known Strandloper Restaurant (famous for its sundowner seafood-on-the-shore dinners and lunches).
At the t-junction with Oostewal Road take a right and drive through Langebaan, turning left into Sunbird Drive and then right into Park Street. Enter the West Coast National Park from the Langebaan entrance.
It's a 44 minute drive from Langebaan to the little seaside hamlet of Churchhaven, around the bottom end of the Langebaan lagoon - a focal point of the reserve. Thousands of migrant seabirds and waders use these beaches and salt marshes, and sunset in particular, is an unforgettable sight as thousands upon thousands of birds stream home for the night.
Churchhaven is a small fishing village, with a smattering of restored, white-washed fisherman's houses, and a few more recently built homes.
Pass through the village and roughly 15 km later, you reach Postberg Nature Reserve, open only in September for the flowers.
Postberg to Dwarskersbos
Retrace your route back to Langebaan via Churchhaven, using Ostewal Road until it intersects with the R27. Take a left to Velddrif (roughly 90 km) and Laaiplek (the two are virtually indistinguishable); both lie at the mouth of the Berg River as it meets the Atlantic, an area that has always been about fishing. Head down Bokkom Laan along the Berg River edge for picturesque cottages, fisheries and bunches of bokkems or Cape herrings hanging up to dry.
Now drive to the opposite end of town, to Laaiplek at the harbour where fishing teams come in off the ocean to offload their fish straight into fridge vans for factories or market.
From Laaiplek, head up Jameson Street, which becomes Main Road, to Dwarskersbos (10 km). Take a left down Iris Street to the beach – a lovely spot to walk, swim or eat a picnic lunch.
Dwarskersbos to Cape Columbine
Head back to Laaiplek, turning left out of Jameson Street into Voortrekker and right to cross the Berg River bridge (note the salt pans alongside you).
Take a right into the R399 towards Vredenburg and Saldanha. Roughly 10 km later, take a right for St Helena Bay.
This coastal drive is interesting. St Helena Bay, Shelley Point and Britannia Bay have, over the years, become holiday resort satellites, filled with modern homes with sea views, many available for hire. But initially this would have been solely fishermen's cottages, the harbour, and the succession of fish-processing factories that still remain.
Continue around the headland and you will eventually reach the highly popular weekend destination of Paternoster. Explore, eat at one of several restaurants (we highly recommend the Noisy Oyster for its wonderful back garden), and comb the beach.
Continue through Paternoster to reach Cape Columbine and its lighthouse. Head to Tietiesbaai for a swim.
Need to Know
WhereSelf Drive Route from Saldanha to Paternoster in the Cape West Coast, South Africa
WhenBest during daylight hours
How muchFree
OvernightStay nearby in Saldanha, in Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Need an Update?
Send us feedback if this is your service/activity. Please let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies.
Note, we do not have additional information or rates. Please don't contact us, rather use the service provider's contact details provided.
Find Self Drive Saldanha to Paternoster in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.
Vintour Guest House
Vintour is a double storey situated against the Saldanha Bay mountains which offers guest panoramic views of the Bay. Accommodation is in a full ...
Blue Bay Lodge
At Blue Bay Lodge careful attention has been paid to every detail ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of our guests. Each room has been stylishly ...
Blue Bay Lodge Cottages
The elegantly gabled Blue Bay Lodge is built only meters above the wide, sandy beaches of Saldanha Bay and is adjoined by a number of well design...
Cedar Park
Cedar Park is a three bedroom garden view house at Blue Bay Lodge in Saldanha Bay, a tranquil South African fishing village lying approximately 1...
Hoedjiesbaai Hotel
The Hoedjiesbaai Hotel, partially built into the water, offers a magnificent view of the tranquil bay of Saldanha and surrounding environs. Wake ...
Saldanha Bay Inn
Saldanha Bay Inn is a walled in property which is safe and secure. All rooms face outwards and have their own entrances via sliding doors. Some o...
Saldanha Bay Lodge
Saldanha Bay Lodge offers guests beautiful views of the bay with a variety of accommodation options. We have an elevated view from the Hoedjiesko...
Togryersvlei Guest House
Situated in Jacobs Bay, Togryersvlei Guest House offers accommodation in four. Jacobsbaai, situated midway between Vredenburg and Saldanha Bay, i...
Other things to do in the area
South Head Lighthouse
By the very nature of its name, South Head lighthouse implies that it is the partner of a North Head lighthouse, which it is. Situated in the Lan...
North Head Lighthouse
North Head lighthouse is one of two at the entrance to Saldanha Bay. The other is rather obviously called South Head lighthouse. North Head start...
Slipway Waterfront Restaurant
Slipway Waterfront Restaurant nestles at the edge of the wind free, tranquil waters of Saldanha Bay harbour is located only 90 minutes from Cape ...
Jacobsbaai Beach
When you head up the Cape West Coast you need to stop off at Jacobsbaai, even if you can only manage an hour or two because it is simply beautifu...
Saldanha Nature Reserve MTB Trail
Where: SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve, West Coast, Western CapeLevel: easyType of route: circular routesBest: all year round, although the tracks ca...
Black Eagle Brewery
Founded in 2014 by Hugo and Elmien, a passionate home-brewing couple from Langebaan, Black Eagle Brewing Co. began as a hobby. After six months o...
Tietiesbaai
Booking Cape West Coast accommodation is about more than a holiday in a place of complete tranquillity, just 90 minutes from Cape Town. It's abou...
Die Koelkamers Teater
Located on St. Augustine Road in the charming fishing village of Paternoster, Die Koelkamers Teater is a celebrated arts venue that brings togeth...
West Coast National Park MTB Trails
Where: Langebaan Gate, West Coast National Park, 90 minutes' from Cape TownLevel: easy to slightly taxingType of route: circular routes (13 km gr...
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...
Bird Island Penguin Colony
Bird Island is the third largest African penguin colony and, in terms of numbers, important for the survival of the penguin - there were 2 600 pa...
Western Cape Beaches
Anyone visiting the Western Cape is spoilt for choice in terms of the beaches that freckle this scenic province. In fact, with about 900 kilometr...
Cape West Coast Beaches
The Cape West Coast is home to a number of little fishing villages, complete with the homes that date back to the fishing industry of yesteryear....
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...
Olifants River Estuary
The Olifants River Estuary is the country's second most important estuary. It lies 250 km north of Cape Town at the small fishing village town of...
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...
Gifberg Pass
The Gifberg Pass connects Vanrhynsdorp to the top of the Matsikamma Mountain, roughly 20 km south of Vanrhynsdorp. The pass breasts a flat-topped...
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 ...
Accommodation convenient to Self Drive Saldanha to Paternoster
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Cape West Coast Accommodation / Saldanha Accommodation
Saldanha as a destination
Why book with SA-Venues.com
- Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
- No airy fairy service fees; you save!
- We care. Service with integrity.
- Multiple payment methods:
credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer. - All Saldanha property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
- Secure your booking
Things To Do
- By Province
-
Search
Search our comprehensive (and still growing) list of 4559 things to do whilst visiting our beautiful country.
-
Suggestion?
Know of a fabulous thing to do in your suburb, city or region? Share your local knowledge and experiences with visitors and tourists: Suggest a thing to do
Destination Saldanha
- By type in Saldanha
- Saldanha Accommodation
- Saldanha Hotels
- Saldanha Guest Houses
- Saldanha Bed & Breakfast
- Saldanha Self Catering
- & Holiday Apartments & Suites
- & Holiday Cottages & Chalets
- & Holiday Homes & Villas
- Saldanha Conferences
- Saldanha Honeymoons
- Destinations near Saldanha
- Britannia Bay, Darling, Doringbaai, Dwarskersbos, Elands Bay, Grotto Bay, Hopefield, Jacobsbaai, Kraalbaai, Laaiplek, Lamberts Bay, Langebaan, Lutzville, Mamre, Nuwerus, Paternoster, Philadelphia, Port Owen, Redelinghuys, Shelley Point, St Helena Bay, Stompneusbaai, Strandfontein, Vanrhynsdorp, Velddrif, Vredenburg, Vredendal, Yzerfontein
- Resources for tourists
- About Saldanha
- Things To Do
- Attractions
- Reviews