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
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