Cape Columbine

Cape Columbine and its noteworthy 1936 lighthouse sit on an impressive headland close to the fishing village at Paternoster. It is named after the barque Colombine that was wrecked in 1829 in seas just to the north.

The rocky shore has numerous coves and inlets in waters with common sightings of dolphin and seasonal whale. Fynbos vegetation is highlighted by the seasonal blooming of the West Coast wildlfowers from August to October.

Hikes follow a number of trails along dunes and rocky paths. A short trail leads from the sandy cove at Tietiesbaai around the headland to the caves at Koeltebaai.

Construction of the lighthouse was much delayed by the remote location which continued to see a steady flow of shipwrecks on the neighbouring reef. Light travels some 50 kilometres out to sea from its majestic position high on Castle Rock.

The nature reserve was named after the 1829 shipwreck of the Columbine just to the north. Its most striking features are the rugged Atlantic coastline, the springtime carpet of wild flowers and the last manned lighthouse to be built in South Africa(1936).