Robben Island Lighthouse

Robben Island presented a significant hazard to ships heading into Table Bay from the north. To alleviate the danger, Jan Van Riebeek ordered that a huge bonfire be lit on the highest point of the island whenever incoming ships were sighted before nightfall. The plan to erect a permanent lighthouse on the island was originally proposed in 1859, and a working drawing was created by John Scott Tucker.  Robben Island lighthouse was built in 1864 by Joseph Flack.

The lamp was lit for the first time 1st of January 1865. The location name was changed from “Vuurberg” to “Minto Hill” for Dr. James Minto who was the surgeon-superintendent during the time the island was an infirmary from 1855 to 1862.

The lighthouse is an 18-metre-high round masonry tower painted white with a black vertical stripe on the eastern side the lantern is painted red.  The 46,000 Candelas lantern has been powered by electricity only since 1938. It is the only South African lighthouse to use a flashing light instead of a revolving light a white light flashes 5 seconds on, 2 seconds off. The light is visible for 24 nautical miles.

33°48’52.9″S 18°22’26.9″E