16 Mile Beach

We were in the West Coast National Park after the Langebaan Lagoon Crossing, so took the opportunity to take a whirlwind tour of the Park. We walked the three kilometres along the beach from Tsaarsbank to the wreck of the Pantalis A Lemos.

Getting there: drive North through the West Coast National Park on the ocean side of the Langebaan Lagoon.
Difficulty: easy stroll along sandy beach
Distance: 6km

The remains of the hulk are visible from the parking lot at Tsaarsbank. Simply stroll down the beach — no shoes necessary. The walk is 3 kilometers each way.

We were somewhat distressed to see one dead seal, a second beached seal clearly in distress, myriads of dead crabs and a dead sea bird during the short walk. It just doesn’t seem normal to see so many dead / dying animals on such a short stretch of coastline.

There is no fresh water or shade along the route.

Wreck of the “Pantalis A Lemos”

• This 74,000 tonne bulk carrier was built in Croatia in 1973.
• It was operated by the Somelas Corporation under a Liberian flag.
• It ran aground here in 1978
• Coordinates:   33°10’0″S   18°1’30″E

~ From wikimapia.org