Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Cape Agulhas is the third lighthouse to be 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 the site. The light in Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is operated by Transnet National Ports Authority. The park has an opening and closing time so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

About

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Specs:

Heritage Status:

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is a recognised heritage site

Date Commissioned:

1 March 1849

Markings:

Red and white bands on the tower

Shape of Tower:

Cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern rising from the original keeper’s house which is now used as a museum and restaurant

Height of Tower:

27 metres

Character of Light:

Rotating optic gives off one white flash every five seconds

Intensity of Light:

7,500,000 candelas

Range of Light:

31 nautical miles

Manned:

Public Access:

History

In the March of 1837 the Surveyor-General of the Cape, Colonel Charles Collier Michell, suggested that a lighthouse be built at Cape Agulhas. A public meeting was held in Cape Town in July 1840 regarding fundraising for the construction. Michiel van Breda, the founder of Bredasdorp, offered to donate the land on which the lighthouse was to be built. Apart from local contributions, funds were received from as far afield as Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Manila, St Helena and London.

In 1847, the government of the Cape Colony agreed to fund the construction at a cost of £15,871 and building work began in April of that year, and was completed in December 1848.
The light was first lit on the 1st of March 1849. Originally, the lamp was fuelled by the tail-fat of sheep but was replaced by an oil-burning lantern which was installed in 1905. In March 1910, the lens was replaced with a first-order Fresnel lens. In 1929, the oil burner was replaced by a petroleum vapour burner, which was in turn replaced in 1936 by a four-kilowatt electric lamp powered by a diesel generator.

In 1968 it was discovered that the sandstone walls were crumbling due to excessive weathering and the lighthouse was taken out of service. The light was moved to an aluminium tower.

In 1973 the building was declared a national monument and also a Western Cape provincial heritage site. The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse was recommissioned in 1988 after the Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum and the local council restored the building.

Amenities

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse offers the following amenities:

Lighthouse Access
Museum

Coffee Shop
Restrooms

Reviews

“Climb the many stairs to the top and enjoy a 360-degree view. Very scenic and beautiful. The ideal place to set your camera on ‘panoramic’ and get the best photos of the ocean. The lighthouse shuts at 16:00 so ensure you are there before that so you don’t miss out.” Vineet, Google Reviews

“An experience of a lifetime. Definitely made me want to see and explore other lighthouses.” Jenny, Google Reviews

“Very steep climb, with narrow stairs, but well worth the trip.” Andrea, Google Reviews

“A true Cape Town iconic landmark with such a great history, this is a must-visit. The views are spectacular and the information gained is priceless!” Ashley, Google Reviews

“The view was stunning! The front desk lady was super sweet and has so many great stories to tell if you ask her.” Karen, Google Reviews

“One of the oldest lighthouses in South Africa. The view over the tip of Africa is awesome from the top of the lighthouse. Imagine having to take all those steps to work every day.” Stan, Google Reviews

Latitude 34°49.8’ S Longitude 20°00.6’ E