Port Nolloth

Port Nolloth is a small, sleepy town located in the Namaqualand region on the northwestern coast of South Africa. The port was previously a transshipment point for copper from the Okiep mines and diamonds from the Namaqua coast. The location of the bay was marked by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias on his epic voyage around the Cape of Good Hope in 1487 and remained virtually uninhibited until James Alexander’s discovery in 1852 of copper at Okiep, 160 kilometers inland from the bay. The Cape Colony administration immediately commenced a survey of the coastline to locate a harbour from which to ship copper and thus Aukwatowa bay was established in 1854, largely on its sheltered aspect from offshore winds. Since the 1970’s the principal seagoing activities have been fishing and small-vessel tourism. Today the town is a sleepy commercial hub and a great spot for a relaxing seaside holiday with a number of holiday homes and a caravan park at the adjacent McDougall’s Bay. It is also a gateway to the Richtersveld National Park, located 160 kilometres to the north along the Orange River.

Port Nolloth is a scenic town with fishing trawlers in the bay with clean beaches and calm seas. If the water is a little too cold for swimming then walking, kayaking and boating are popular activities. Line-fish and crayfish are fresh and available from the factory in season which runs from mid-November to the end of April. Holiday goers can fish for snoek or yellowtail if they have permits. Holidaymakers are attracted to the town to soak up the unhurried atmosphere and the sun. Port Nolloth is a real desert coastal town and has a unique atmosphere, especially when the cold mists roll in from the Atlantic Ocean. Travellers to the Richtersveld National Park often overnight here. The pier is the focal point of the town and is a good place to get a closer look at the diamond boats anchored in the bay. The sunsets are incredible and are best enjoyed with a cold glass in hand while the tantalizing smells of grilling crayfish season the air.

The neighbouring informal settlement of Port Nolloth is Sizamile where walking tours are on offer by local guides. The local museum is filled with history and a trip inland to the little town of Lekkersing, just north of Port Nolloth, offers a look into a community workgroup where local craft in the form of ‘vellies’, mats, huts, dresses, and ‘riempie’ chairs are available.