Cape Point

Cape Point is a promontory at the southeast corner of the Cape Peninsula, which is a mountainous and scenic landform that runs north-south for about thirty kilometres at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent in the Republic of South Africa. Table Mountain and the city of Cape Town are close to the northern extremity of the same peninsula. The cape is located at Coordinates: , about 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) east and a little north of the Cape of Good Hope on the southwest corner. Although these two rocky capes are very well known, neither cape is actually the southernmost point of the mainland of Africa; that is Cape Agulhas, approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) to the east-southeast.Cape point is closed on Christmas , Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Opening times are from 6:00-18:00

Peaks

The peak above Cape Point is higher than that above the Cape of Good Hope. The rugged sandstone (Table Mountain sandstone) ridge that rises from Cape Point at sea level develops into two peaks. There is a major peak that dominates the skyline locally but there is also a smaller peak about 100 m (328 ft) further south. The higher peak has the old lighthouse on the top. The Flying Dutchman Funicular runs from a car park to the north up to slightly below the level of the old lighthouse and a short flight of steps leads to a viewing platform around the base of the lighthouse. From the end of the railway a second path leads to the lower peak.

Lighthouse

The new lighthouse is at a lower elevation (87 meters; 285.5 feet above sea level), for two reasons: the old lighthouse, located at (262 meters; 859.6 feet above sea level), could be seen 'too early' by ships rounding the point towards the east, causing them to approach too closely. Secondly, foggy conditions often prevail at the higher levels, making the older lighthouse invisible to shipping. On 18 April 1911, the Portuguese liner Lusitania was wrecked just south of Cape Point at on Bellows Rock for precisely this reason, prompting the relocation of the lighthouse.

The new lighthouse, located at , cannot be seen from the West until ships are at a safe distance to the South. The light of the new Cape Point lighthouse is the most powerful on the South African coast, with a range of 63 miles (101 km; 55 nmi) and an intensity of 10 megacandelas in each flash.

Other facts

Cape Point is situated within the Table Mountain National Park, within a section of the park referred to as Cape of Good Hope. This section covers the whole of the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and which takes in perhaps 20% of its total area. The Cape of Good Hope section of the park is generally wild, unspoiled and undeveloped and is an important haven for seabirds. The vegetation at Cape Point consists primarily of Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos.

Cape Point is often mistakenly claimed to be the place where the cold Benguela Current of the Atlantic Ocean and the warm Agulhas Current of the Indian ocean collide. In fact, the meeting point fluctuates along the southern and southwestern Cape coast, usually occurring between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. The two intermingling currents help to create the micro-climate of Cape Town and its environs. Contrary to popular mythology, the meeting point of the currents produces no obvious visual effect; there is no "line in the ocean" where the sea changes colour or looks different in some way. There are, however, strong and dangerous swells, tides and localized currents around the point and in adjacent waters. These troubled seas have witnessed countless maritime disasters in the centuries since ships first sailed here.

Fishing is good along the coast but the unpredictable swells make angling from the rocks very dangerous. Over the years scores of fishermen have been swept to their deaths from the rocky platforms by freak waves. False Bay, which opens to the east and north of Cape Point, is the location of the well-known naval port of Simon's Town. The bay is also famous - or infamous - for its great white sharks, which hunt the Cape fur seals that live in the area.

Climate research

Cape Point is the site of one of the Global Atmosphere Watch's atmospheric research stations. In the early years of the 20th century icebergs from Antarctica were occasionally sighted from Cape Point. There have been no authentic recent sightings of ice, which some climatologists and experts have attributed to global warming.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Marci Fetcher
13 February 2016
Just beautiful - walk around and take your time! (no need to take the cablecar if you are fine to walk 20 minutes) - lighthouse gets crowded, go to the other spots, they are quite & amazing view
Travel + Leisure
10 December 2013
You’ll pass Boulders Beach, home to a colony of African penguins, before reaching the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve. The view from one of the peninsula’s highest points is unparalleled.
Albert Pote
9 June 2013
When you reach the top of the Funicular... do not walk up to the light house, but first walk along the path to the look out on the same level as the Funicular. View better there!
Driaan Jordaan
10 November 2018
Visit the most southwestern tip of Africa at Cape Point. This pristine nature reserve includes a funicular tram to the top of the mountain, white sandy beach and plenty of history.
Amanda Thau
23 November 2016
Scenic views along the trails and at the top of the lighthouse. Take the funicular or take a walk - both are reasonable options!
Rami Tamimi
5 October 2015
Amazing view for tourist , light house on top of mountain and rocky beaches that separates two great oceans from each other . Don't miss ostrich farm next to it .
Load more comments
foursquare.com
9.0/10
66,167 people have been here

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Napthali Lodge

starting $60

Port of Call Bed and Breakfast

starting $60

Penguinden Accommodation and Apartments

starting $58

Rocklands House

starting $178

Seagetaway Self Catering Accommodation

starting $54

Roman Rock and 3 on Rocklands Apartments

starting $81

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cape Point Lighthouse

Cape Point Lighthouse is a tourist attraction, one of the Lighthouses

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Flying Dutchman Funicular

The Flying Dutchman Funicular, also known as the Cape Point Funicular,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope (Afrikaans: Kaap die Goeie Hoop, Dutch:  Kaap

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Groot Constantia

Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa and

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
BOS 400

The BOS 400, a French Derrick/Lay Barge that ran aground while being

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Kirstenbosch is the name of a famous botanical garden nestled at the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Table Mountain National Park

Table Mountain National Park, previously known as the Cape Peninsula

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport (IATA: CPT, ICAO: FACT) is the primary

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a tourist attraction, one of the Scenic

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
First (Grindelwald)

First is a minor summit on the slopes of the Schwarzhorn in the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
山上圣母观景台

山上圣母观景台(Miradouro da Senhora do Monte)位于葡萄牙首都里斯

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Vista Chinesa

The Vista Chinesa (Chinese Belvedere) is one of the belvederi of Rio

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Glacier Point

Glacier Point is a viewpoint above Yosemite Valley, in California,

See all similar places