Agulhas National Park

Park Coastal reserve at Africa's southernmost point

Agulhas National Park reaches to Cape Agulhas, Africa’s southernmost point; visitors photograph the lighthouse, walk coastal fynbos trails and watch seasonal whales from shore.

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Agulhas National Park is a coastal protected area at the southern tip of Africa in South Africa’s Western Cape province. It conserves the Cape Agulhas headland, adjacent coastline and coastal fynbos ecosystems and includes the southernmost point of the African continent.

The park’s shoreline, rocky reefs and dune systems support specialized plant communities and provide viewpoints where the meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans is noted. Key visitor features include coastal trails, interpretive displays and the historic lighthouse at the cape.

The area was set aside to protect both natural habitats and the maritime heritage of the cape; the lighthouse and adjacent facilities interpret navigational history and local ecology for visitors.

The park lies near the towns of L’Agulhas and Bredasdorp on South Africa’s southern coast, at the geographic headland marking the continent’s southern extremity.

  • Southernmost point and habitats: The park protects the southern coastline of South Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet at the Cape Agulhas headland, and it conserves coastal fynbos habitats.
  • Lighthouse and viewpoint: The historic lighthouse, located at the cape, dates from the mid 19th century and is a primary visitor focus for viewpoints and local history.

What to See #

  • Cape Agulhas Lighthouse: Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, a 19th-century lighthouse that marks the southernmost point of the African continent and offers a museum and viewing platforms.
Agulhas National Park
Cape Agulhas, Western Cape, South Africa
-34.7409, 19.8664
Lighthouse museum often daily 9am-5pm (seasonal; confirm locally)
Park entry often free; Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum admission typically ZAR 30-50 (check locally)

How to Get to Agulhas National Park #

From Bredasdorp follow the R319 south for about 35 km to Cape Agulhas; from Cape Town it’s roughly a 2.5-3 hour drive via the N2 and R316. The lighthouse and museum are signposted and parking is available at the reserve entrance.

Tips for Visiting Agulhas National Park #

  • Time a visit to see the meet-point marker of the Atlantic and Indian oceans at low tide for safer walking and calmer seas for photographs.
  • The lighthouse climb offers views but involves steep stairs; the museum is small and often closed midweek - check opening times before travelling.
  • Combine with a drive along the R319 from Bredasdorp and stop at the small fishing village L'Agulhas for local seafood.

Best Time to Visit Agulhas National Park #

Spring to autumn best for comfortable coastal drives; winter is dramatic but windy.

Southern summer
Dec-Feb · 20-30°C
Warm and sunny; tourist season - beaches and coastal drives are pleasant.
Shoulder seasons
Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 15-25°C
Milder weather and fewer crowds; spring wildflowers can be spectacular in September-October.
Winter
Jun-Aug · 8-18°C
Windy and cooler with dramatic seas; not ideal for beach days but rewarding for storm-watching.

Weather & Climate near Agulhas National Park #

Climate

Agulhas National Park's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 9°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (511 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 22 mm.

90 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
15° 25°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 23°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).

76 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).

74 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).

74 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 66 mm of rain.

74 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).

78 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

41 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
11.7h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 20°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.8h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.

82 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 22°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
14.3h daylight

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