Towns and suburbs

Cape Point

Cape Point is a rugged promontory formed in an ice age of 2.6 million years ago

 

Cape Point

Cape Point is a rugged promontory formed in an ice age of 2.6 million years ago when glaciers covered most of the earth’s surface. During the interglacial periods, water levels increased and sediment was deposited on the shore. The peninsula is predominantly made up of  Table Mountain sandstone which is eroded by wind and water forces, leaving behind the hard and rugged landscape.

The southeastern corner of the Cape Peninsula is one of South Africa’s most breathtaking natural landmarks. It forms part of the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park and it is the windiest place in South Africa.

Not the southernmost!

Despite popular belief, this is not where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. This fluctuating boundary usually occurs between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. The merging currents, however, influence Cape Town’s microclimate.

When Sir Francis Drake rounded Cape Point in 1580, he famously described it as “a most stately thing and the fairest Cape in the whole circumference of the Earth.” It must have been one of the good days. On a clear day, you feel as if you could see Antarctica but it is at least 6,000 kilometres away.

Perilous waters

However, many sailors found it to be a perilous and treacherous stretch due to powerful winds, strong swells, and unpredictable currents. Since records have been kept 26 ships have met their end on the coast of Cape Point. Two primary hazards have claimed many of the vessels:

Bellows Rock – Visible as either a dark patch or whitewater about 3 km south of Cape Maclear and Albatross Rock – Located 1 km west of Olifantsbosch Point.

The waters are also particularly dangerous because the Roaring Forties, fierce westerly winds that circle the globe at 40° latitude.  Large tracts of open water along these lattitudes, allow high wind speeds to develop.

The Lighthouses of Cape Point

Old Lighthouse (262 m above sea level) – Built in 1859 proved ineffective due to frequent fog. This is cited as the reason the Portuguese liner Lusitania, sank on April 18, 1911, when it struck Bellows Rock. This tragedy prompted the relocation of the lighthouse to a lower elevation for better visibility in misty conditions. The New Lighthouse  was built at 87 m above sea level)

A Unique Natural Habitat

Cape Point remains largely undeveloped, providing a vital haven for seabirds and endemic vegetation. The region is home to Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, a collection of plant species endemic only to the Western Cape.

Cape Point is home to many species of birds. Over 270 species have been recorded in the area,  From tiny sunbirds to ostriches. The local plant life supports canaries, shrikes and warblers. Also naturally there are seabirds.

Cape Point is a top tourist destination, offering a variety of outdoor activities:

WEATHER AT CAPE POINT

SEE ALL LISTINGS AT CAPE POINT

Things to see and do at Cape Point

  • Dias Cross The Portuguese erected two crosses at Cape Point as a navigational aid– when lined up, they indicate Whittle Rock, a major shipping hazard in the Bay. Two other beacons in Simon’s Town provide the intersection point.
  • World War II Radar Listening Stations Remnants of a radar station erected in 1942 projected a narrow radar beam to detect any German U-boats in the vicinity. Other military structures including the canon on Kanonkop that used to warn Simon’s Town of approaching vessels can be seen still today.
  • Hiking & Nature Walks – Explore scenic trails and dramatic cliffs.
  • Wildlife Viewing – Spot Eland, Red Hartebeest, Bontebok, and Zebra.
  • Birdwatching. With over 270 recorded bird species, including ostriches and sunbirds, Cape Point is a paradise for birdwatchers
  • Beaches – Pristine and unspoiled however, there are areas where swimming is not allowed due to strong rip currents.
  • Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular rail.
  • Visit the lighthouses.
  • Clean Air Cape Point hosts one of the world’s cleanest air monitoring stations, part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) network. Researchers use it to study climate change and air quality.

Free guided walks take place on select Sunday mornings, while some activities require permits. Visitors should be aware of safety regulations, including restrictions on swimming

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