Cape Agulhas
Cape Southernmost point of Africa where oceans meet
The southernmost point of the African continent, marked by a lighthouse and visitor center; people visit to stand at the point where conventions mark the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and to see coastal scenery.
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Cape Agulhas is the southernmost point of the African continent and a coastal promontory in South Africa’s Western Cape province. It is conventionally identified as the meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans and is a noted geographic landmark.
The site includes the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, completed in 1849, and rocky shoreline marked as the continent’s southern tip. The adjacent Cape Agulhas National Park protects coastal habitats and provides access for visitors to the shoreline and heritage sites.
The cape has a long history of maritime navigation importance due to hazardous waters and strong currents in the area, which led to early lighthouse construction and ongoing maritime charts noting the point. Today it is visited for the lighthouse, the exact southernmost marker and the surrounding coastal scenery.
Geographically Cape Agulhas lies about 170 kilometres southeast of Cape Town on the southern coast of the Western Cape, set within a largely coastal and low-lying landscape of rocky shores and coastal sands.
- Geographic extreme: Recognised as the southernmost point of the African continent and located where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet by convention.
- Historical lighthouse: The lighthouse on the cape dates from 1849 and is one of the area's principal historic landmarks open to the public.
What to See #
- Cape Agulhas Lighthouse: The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, completed in 1849, standing close to the shoreline and open to visitors as a heritage site.
- Southernmost point marker: The exact southernmost point of the African continent marked on the rocks where visitors can stand at the latitude/longitude marker.
- National park: Cape Agulhas National Park, which protects coastal habitats, rocky shores and local flora around the cape.
How to Get to Cape Agulhas #
Cape Agulhas (the southernmost point of Africa) is reached by road from Cape Town via the N2 eastbound and then regional roads through Caledon and Bredasdorp (commonly via the R316/R319). The drive from Cape Town is roughly 200 km and typically takes about 3 hours by car. Once in the Agulhas/Bredasdorp area follow local signage to the lighthouse and southern tip; local roads in the final approach are regional (R‑class) roads.
Tips for Visiting Cape Agulhas #
- Visit early in the day for calmer seas and clearer views from the shoreline and to avoid the larger afternoon coach groups that arrive from Cape Town and surrounding towns.
- Climb the Cape Agulhas lighthouse and visit the small maritime museum on site to get historical context-the lighthouse is open to visitors and offers the best panoramic view of the southern tip.
- Walk the short path to the marked southernmost point of Africa and the nearby shoreline spots where the two oceans meet; the exact point is easy to miss from the parking area, so follow the marked trail.
Best Time to Visit Cape Agulhas #
Best visited in spring or autumn for milder weather and fewer crowds, while winter offers dramatic scenery but rough conditions.
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