Deon van Schalkwyk is a THETA (Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority) accredited Tour Guide and has a good knowledge of the area. Above all he has a deep-rooted love for the Beach Buggy and is an enthusiastic 4X4 driver. This he prides himself on and would love to share his experiences and passion with you. He offers tailor made tours as well as shuttle services. All prices on request.

Here some ideas...

Dunes stroll

Dunes stroll (approx. 2 hours, max 3 person)

Join Deon for a Beach Buggy ride along the dunes from Paternoster to St Helena Bay. Get the stories of the Portuguese Explorers along. You might be lucky to see whales and dolphins frolicking in the bay.

Be mesmerized by the fishermen's colourfully painted "bakkies"( boats) going out to sea in the early mornings.

The Lisboa, a Portuguese twin screw steel steamship, ran aground on Soldiers Reef near Paternoster in 1910. This event was the first occasion on the South African coast in which radio telegraphy was utilized to summon help by a ship in distress.

Ancient granite hills and boulders form a backdrop to St Helena Bay and offer stunning views of the bay and across the Piketberg mountains. The first European to discover St Helena Bay was the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama on 7 November 1497, during his pioneer voyage from Europe to India.

LandcruiserTrip
Back in history

Approx. 4 hours, max 4 person

Enjoy a comfortable drive from Paternoster to Vasco da Gama Monument in St Helena Bay. Discover the salt pans and Bokkom Lane in Velddrif. Next stop via Dwarskersbos is Rocherpan, a bird lovers must to see (bird sanctuary).

St Helena Bay is one of only three natural bays on the world's mainland coastlines where one can view both a sunrise and a sunset over the sea. It is also recognised as one of the calmest bays in the world. "A calm and tranquil bay" Vasco Da Gama said. A curious phenomenon is the virtual absence of the rust problem plaguing surrounding villages - it is thought that the row of small hills to the West of the town shields it from salt spray. The beach at St Helena Bay was the first place in southern Africa where the Pater Noster (Our Father) was said, and the village of Paternoster was named in honour of this event.

"Bokkom" is the Afrikaans name for a traditional West Coast dried fish delicacy. "Bokkoms" or wind dried "Harders" are found only in Velddrif. "Bokkomlaan" (Bokkom Avenue) is a small "bokkom" industry situated next to the Berg River. Although some of these little factories are national monuments, they still provide local fishermen with their livelihood.

Approx. 25 km North of Velddrif lies the breathtaking Rocher Pan Nature Reserve. The 914 ha reserve consists mostly of wetlands (part of it is a seasonal vlei), and is habitat to a wide variety of bird species. In addition to the array of bird species to be seen, there are also a number of smaller mammals such as Springbok, Duiker, Steenbok, Water Mongoose and the African Wild Cat.

There are two bird hides and various picnic sites to choose from, and during August and September, nature's colourful spring flower display is a phenomenal sight.

Contact Details

Cell: 072 402 1829
Telephone: 022 752 2222
Email:
Website: http://http://www.farrout.co.za/
17 Seemeeusingel Paternoster 7381,

read more >> Eco & Nature Experience the most extraordinarily coastline halfway between Cape Town and the Cederburg. On the map it is the extreme westerly protruding feature along the coastline - 90 minutes north of Cape Town International Airport.