CAPE POINT

Description

Essentials about Cape Point in brief

A visit to Cape Point is part of every trip to Cape Town. The breathtaking views of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Cape Peninsula and the feeling of having arrived at the end of the world make a visit to Cape Point absolutely unforgettable.

Geographical details of Cape Point

The spectacular cliff forms the southeastern end of the Cape Peninsula and is often confused with the Cape of Good Hope, about two kilometers to the west, which is the southwestern end of the Cape Peninsula. Mistakenly, both Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope are often thought to be the southernmost point on the African continent. However, this honor belongs to Cape Agulhas, which is located about 150 kilometers further east.

Also the question whether Cape Point is really the point where the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean meet cannot be answered topographically. However, since at Cape Point (at a distance of 200 km from the mainland) a cold Atlantic and a warm ocean current from the Indian Ocean meet, Cape Point is called the point where the two oceans meet with some justification.

The lighthouses at Cape Point

Geography or not, in any case Cape Point is one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the entire Cape Peninsula. From the parking lot, you can either walk or take a small funicular called the Flying Dutchman to get close to the older of Cape Point’s two lighthouses (you have to climb stairs the last bit). The old lighthouse was built in 1859 on the highest point of the cliff at a height of 238 meters. However, because it stood too high and too far from the coast, its light was too often lost in the fog that forms at this altitude.

In 1911, this circumstance led to the sinking of the ship Lusitania with over 700 people on board. This terrible event was the reason for the construction of a new lighthouse, built at a height of only 87 meters and closer to the water at the so-called Diaz Point. From the old lighthouse, a great hiking trail leads along the steep cliff walls to the vicinity of the new lighthouse. At the end of the trail is a viewing platform overlooking the new lighthouse.

Table Mountain National Park

The Cape Point area is also part of Table Mountain National Park and is known for its natural beauty and richness of species. Many seabirds use the steep cliffs for breeding. Birdwatchers will be able to spend many interesting hours here.

The hike from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope

And last but not least, a note to all those who have brought a little more time and a little condition to the southwestern tip of Africa. If you want to visit the Cape of Good Hope after Cape Point, you can leave the car in the parking lot and alternatively follow the narrow hiking trail, which leads you partly over wooden planks through the beautiful nature to the Cape. Along sloping cliffs and craggy rock faces, the path repeatedly provides great views of the white sand of Diaz Beach, located between Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. If you need to cool off, you can also walk down to the beach and put your feet in the cold water. However, due to the water temperature and dangerous currents, you should not go further into the water either.