Idyllic Paternoster belongs to the few authentic fishing villages on the rough West Coast of the Western Cape Province. Even today the people of this 1500-soul village livelihood revolves around fishing.They mainly catch snoek (between November and April), crayfish or "West Coast Lobster".
The snow-white lighthouse, established in 1936, is situated 3 kilometres south-east of Paternoster and bears the name of the sunken ship.
There is a very popular pub in the old Paternoster Hotel - more than 100 years old. Here you can listen to some seafarer tales in the evenings.
On the opposite side of the spit of land, lies St Helena Bay. It is known to be very rich in fish, and the village of the same name is - like Paternoster - a fishing village with white washed fishermen's houses, beautiful in front of the cobalt-blue Atlantic. There are a couple of fish factories in the village. In St Helena Bay endless, wide sandy beaches invite you to go on long walks. Quite often one can spot dolphins, seals and whales. Sea-kayakers like the bay. Accommodation to be found on the blue INFO page.
It is believed that the name "Paternoster" was given by survivors of the ship "Columbine" that sunk here in 1829, who thanked the Lord for their rescue with the saying of 'Our Father'.
Photo left: Paternoster. Top right: St Helena Bay. Bottom right: Cape Columbine lighthouse.