lighthouse

Activities in Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas


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Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse has stood for over 150 years as a maritime chaperone over the notorious ‘Cape of Storms’, at the most southern tip of Africa. This official meeting point of the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean is also the point of convergence of the Mozambique and Benguela currents.

The Agulhas bank is a unique geographical formation which bears the title ‘Graveyard of Ships’ due to this challenging crossing resulting in numerous shipwrecks. The ocean depth in this area is only 60 fathoms deep for 250 kilometres out to sea and then drops sharply to 180 000 fathoms reaching as far as Antarctica. When seafaring Portuguese vessels rounded this Cape tip in the 15th century their compass needles would swing unable to determine True North from Magnetic North. As a result, in 1488 the Portuguese navigator, Bartholomew Dias, named this ocean site ‘Capo das Agulhas’ translating to ‘Cape of Needles’.

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Struisbaai Beach

Struisbaai beach is truly remarkable with its white sands and seemingly endless coastline. This is a fantastic spot for both shore anglers and fishing boats. There are often large black rays in the harbour which is a remarkable sight. Swimming is safe at the beach and walking alongside the water here is so relaxing.

Diving is a very popular sport due to the rich waters with lots to see, as is horse riding, kite sailing, body boarding, surfing and kayaking. Built in 1848 this is the second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa. The design is modelled on one of the oldest seven wonders of the world, the original Egyptian Faros lighthouse. Its inspired historic architecture stands tall in red and white stripes just one kilometre away from the most southern tip of the rocky coastline. The adjacent limestone quarry was mined for stone as the raw building material. In 1962, this sandstone started crumbling due to its sea weathering and a new aluminum lighthouse was built nearby preserving the original lighthouse as a national monument and the only lighthouse museum in Africa.

southern point
The Southernmost tip of Africa

A stone cairn marks the southernmost tip of Africa where the Indian and the Atlantic oceans meet. The lighthouse that keeps a watchful eye on this treacherous piece of coastline was the third lighthouse built in South Africa and is the second-oldest in operation. Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is located on the southern edge of the village of L’Agulhas, in the Agulhas National Park. The popular tourist destination is a landmark for those migrating to the southernmost tip of Africa and there is a museum and coffee shop on site. The park has an opening and closing time so be sure to plan your trip accordingly

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The Agulhas National Park

Cradled in the area known as the Agulhas Plain, and nurtured by the coming together of the Indian and Atlantic oceans, the Agulhas National Park is home to a unique combination of biodiversity and natural beauty. The park showcases a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species and is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Spot the African black oystercatcher and the dainty Damara tern while enjoying one of the walking or hiking trails in the reserve. From July and December, you can cast your eyes to the horizon and watch southern right whales breach, lobtail and even spy-hop during what is known around the world as “whale season”. For more information about activities and accommodation at the southernmost tip of Africa contact Agulhas National Park.



Agulhas
National Park