In Port Nolloth, leave the 21st century behind and join the ranks of swashbucklers and marauders. On the coast of South Africa’s Northern Cape awaits a rickety fishing town where diamonds lie beneath the seabed.
GO: Travel from Cape Town on the N7 for seven hours, passing rooibos capital Clanwilliam on your way. Port Nolloth was named Aukwatowa by the Nama people, meaning ‘where the water took away the old man’. The Nama are the largest surviving group of the indigenous Khoikhoi people, and were historically roaming pastoralists who farmed beside the Orange River.
In late August and September, wildflowers along this stretch of coastline give rise to a breathtaking bloom that attracts visitors from across the world. Port Nolloth marks the end of the Namaqualand Flower Route, so leave plenty of time for exploring.
SEE: This fishing town was once a busy seaport with the discovery of copper nearby in 1852. Port Nolloth was selected as the gateway for transporting ore from the area. But as ships became larger, it grew increasingly difficult to navigate the rocky and shallow reef. Claiming several wrecks, Port Nolloth’s harbour eventually fell out of use, with merchants favouring a trucking route to move the copper instead.
Much like the ebb and flow of the tide, fortune waxes and wanes in Port Nolloth. Luck struck in 1926 when alluvial diamonds were found on the coast, deposited by the Orange River. Prospectors rushed to find their watery fortunes. While the precious stones are increasingly difficult to obtain today as deposits dwindle, experienced divers still trawl the chilly seas for treasure.
In the autumnal months, a fog known as the Malmokkie blankets over Port Nolloth. Rainfall is scarce in this region, and the moisture-heavy mist is eagerly received by plants and small creatures who depend on it for survival. Navigate through the dense fog with care.
DO: At the end of a long day of dodging inclement weather, satisfy your appetite at Vespetti with a feast of fresh crayfish and yellowtail from the day’s catch. From ore to gems to fish, this town hewn from the desert carries rich value. Journey here and experience a diamond in the rough.
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