Do you know where the southernmost tip of Africa is?
It’s at Cape Agulhas, in the Western Cape. This is where the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans meet.
It’s a place with a rich history and a famous attraction for visitors to experience the breathtaking awe of standing at the tip of Africa.
How can you explore the tip of Africa?
The first thing you should do at Cape Agulhas is to stand at the monumental intersection of the two oceans. Come face-to-face with the magnitude of its vastness and enjoy a momentous experience. This is a spot where thousands of people have stood, and ships have perished.
You can reach the southernmost tip through Agulhas National Park. In addition, it’s also where you can find the Map of Africa Monument. Among the places to see is the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, built in 1848 and which shone its first light in 1849. It’s reportedly one of South Africa’s oldest functioning lighthouses. The Greenpoint Lighthouse is the oldest, which was first lit in 1824.
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum is another must-visit attraction. Here you can learn about the lighthouse’s history and the surrounding maritime history and landmarks. Additionally, it’s known as the only museum of its kind in South Africa.
You can also visit several shipwrecks, most notably the Japanese Meisho Maru No. 38, which ran aground in 1982. Thankfully, the crew members managed to survive, though! The unpredictable ferocity of the sea, its currents, the coastline, and the weather in that region have lured many ships over the years to meet their ends. There have reportedly been over 100 shipwrecks.
It can be confusing, but it’s also important to remember that sometimes Cape Point, which is on the Cape Peninsula, is mistaken for the southernmost point, but it’s actually Cape Agulhas. The Cape of Good Hope is the most southwestern point in Africa, with Cape Point nearby.
It’s advised to contact the Cape Agulhas National Park for the relevant visiting hours, as these may change, including the entry fees and necessary information, before visiting.
