Richtersveld National Park
Great in flower season, Port Nolloth is also a springboard for the Richtersveld National Park. The arid wilderness of the region makes for great outdoor trails and plenty of beautiful moments in nature. The Richtersveld 4x4 Trails are a network of criss-cross roads through the park. They take drivers along the mighty Orange River and showcase some of Africa’s most gorgeous natural landscapes. The roads extend for a total of some 200 km, but any combination of trails can be chosen. The terrain consists of gravel, corrugations, rocks, and more sand than imaginable. Some exciting parts of the trail will inspire drivers to test their skills and vehicles.
One of the major draw cards to the trails and their surrounds are the wildflowers that explode into colourful bloom every year between June and October. They fill the otherwise sparse landscapes with bright blooms in dense rugs. Spring and autumn are the most temperate times to tackle the 4x4 trails. The park is home to plenty of plant and animal life. The variety is impressive, and drivers and their passengers will be well-rewarded with succulents, raptors, reptiles and more.
Drivers and their passengers should come prepared with clean drinking water and plenty of food supplies, as these are not readily available along the way.
Beach Fun
The Port Nolloth beaches offer the ultimate seaside escape. The Grazia be Beer Beach is one of the town’s most popular in terms of swimming, exploring and having family fun. The relatively small waves are perfect for bodyboarding and stand-up paddle boarding, and the long stretches of sand invite visitors to soak up the sun and work on their tan. The rock pools will excite kids as they search for marine life. A rocky stretch of coastline follows this beach, adjacent to a broadwalk. MacDougall’s Bay has an excellent Blue Flag status beach that is perfect for safe swimming and relaxation. Most of Port Nolloth’s beaches are home to big reefs, which are ideal for any avid divers wanting to explore the underwater areas. Fishing can be done from the shore or the rocks, as well as by boat further out from the coast.
Port Nolloth Lighthouse
If you are keen on exploring historical buildings, then Port Nolloth Lighthouse is worth a visit. The lighthouse was built in the early 1900’s after a petition to the Cape colonial government for an erection of a permanent coastal light at Port Nolloth. The original tower was 18 m tall, made from cast iron, but the modern one is a distinctive aluminium tower that stands at 11 metres tall, kitted with an with a triangular day marker and a fog signal. The lighting system that flashes either red or white to indicate whether there is enough water over the reefs outside the bay to enter the harbour is still in operation today.