Cape Agulhas, Western Cape
Cape Agulhas, or the place where two oceans meet, lies at the furthest tip of Africa, a region that includes the towns of Arniston, Bredasdrop, L’Agulhas, Napier, Elim and Struisbaai.
Historically, the cape has been known to sailors as particularly hazardous, notorious for winter storms and huge rogue waves that can reach a spectacular height of 30 metres, so it’s no surprise that the coast is littered with wrecks or that the large red and white striped lighthouse was built as early as 1848 in an attempt to warn ships of the conflicting currents, the west winds and the extremely perilous waves that combine to make it the ‘Cape of Storms’. Cape Agulhas is the official point at which the cold Benguela current of the Atlantic Ocean and the strong Aghulhas current of the Indian Ocean meet. Technically speaking it is the southernmost point in the continent of Africa, but it is not as well known or, some say, as beautiful as the Cape of Good Hope. Agulhas features a consistent curving coastline and rocky beach that pales in comparison with the splendour of Cape Point.
This rugged part of the coastline has a beauty all its own and has recently been proclaimed the Agulhas National Park. Ancient people have bequeathed their mark on the landscape leaving archaeological middens that date back thousands of years to the time of the Khoi-Khoi people, who trapped fish in tidal traps along this same coast. And there is plenty to do in this part of the world: southern right whales frequent the coast, the African black oystercatcher is protected along many of the beaches and the abundant variety of fynbos, including unique representatives such as limestone fynbos and 2000 species of indigenous plants, 100 of which are endemic to the area.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of Cape Agulhas
Arniston
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Arniston
Arniston, also known as Waenhuiskrans, is an attractive fishing village, very popular among artists because of its fishermen's cottages, turquoise seas and undulating white sand dunes. The Afrikaans name "Waenhuiskrans" refers ... arniston information
Bredasdorp
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Bredasdorp
The quaint town of Bredasdorp, which claims to be the first town or ‘dorp’ established in South Africa, lies on the slopes of a fairly high hill known as the Preekstoel (pulpit), in the midst of giant proteas and wheat fields ... bredasdorp information
Elim
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Elim
This charming little village, dominated by white-washed fishermen’s cottages and fig trees, is one of the few surviving South African mission stations, founded in 1824 as the third Moravian mission station in the Cape, that today ... elim information
Infanta
Where to Stay: Cape Agulhas Accommodation
The little village of Infanta is one of several villages that lie on the banks of the Breede River as it flows from its source near Ceres, although it is Witsand and Infanta that lie at its mouth - Witsand on the eastern bank and Infanta on its ... infanta information
L'Agulhas
Where to Stay: Accommodation in L'Agulhas
The biggest draw card for Agulhas, other than the fact that it lies only two hours from Cape Town on one of the most beautiful coasts in the country, is that this little village lies on Cape Agulhas, the end of the African continent and the ... l'agulhas information
Malgas
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Malgas
The town of Malgas, only 30 minutes from Swellendam, is a perfect stopover for exploring the Overberg and the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Set on the west bank of the Breede River, which supports a significant variety of ... malgas information
Napier
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Napier
The road to Napier takes you through never ending fields of wheat and barley, where the endangered Blue Crane can be seen gathered together in large flocks. Napier is situated under the Soetmuisberg, surrounded by rolling ... napier information
Struisbaai
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Struisbaai
Struisbaai’s quirky little harbour, originally built in 1959 but enlarged in 1990, serves both fishing and ski boats for the myriad visitors to the town during holiday season, and the Anglican Church, also a restored national monument ... struisbaai information
Cape Agulhas
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Cape Agulhas
Agulhas National Park
Lying in what is known as the Agulhas Plain at the southernmost tip of Africa is the Agulhas National Park, just 45 kilometres from the popular village of Gansbaai. This might be the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but the Agulhas National park’s focus is on some of the most splendid ... more information
De Hoop Nature Reserve
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately 34 000 ha in size and one of the largest natural areas managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It is a favourite destination for hikers, cyclists, bird watchers and during the winter and early summer months, whale watchers. The entire length of the De Hoop coast is ... more information
Cape Whale Coast
The coming of the whales to the Cape Overberg coastline, also known as the Cape Whale Coast, every year between June and November, not only creates a stir, but brings to our shores a large, intelligent and remarkable giant of the sea and the only mammal to have adapted to life in the open oceans ... more information
Cape Agulhas Wine Route
Elim is something of a phenomenon as its unique ‘terroir’ has caused much excitement in the wine community worldwide. The cool and strong winds that prevail - south westerly and south easterly - have the effect of providing a very cool ripening season, perfect for Sauvignon Blanc and promising for ... more information
Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve
Formerly known as Waenhuiskrans until a ship by the name of Arniston was wrecked here, the village is a much sought after holiday residence because of its sea views and stands on a hill overlooking the harbour, approximately 190 kilometres from Cape Town and close enough to Cape Agulhas to claim a share as ... more information
Heuningberg Nature Reserve
If you are in pursuit of the Bredasdorp Lily then a trip to the Heuningberg Nature Reserve, set on the slopes of Heuningberg (Honey Mountain) south east of Bredasdorp, is a good place to start, particularly as the core of the reserve started its life as a wildflower garden. Today the over 800 hectare nature reserve ... more information
Cape Agulhas
Featured Things To Do in Cape Agulhas
Visit the Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum
Where: Bredasdorp
How much (per person): R1 to R100
The Bredasdorp Museum is primarily a maritime Museum whose primary theme is "Shipwrecks along the dangerous Southern Cape coast and their in ... more information
Cape Agulhas
Holiday Accommodation in Cape Agulhas
For accommodation in Cape Agulhas see:
• Arniston Accommodation • Bredasdorp Accommodation • L'Agulhas Accommodation
• Malgas Accommodation • Napier Accommodation • Struisbaai Accommodation
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Cape Agulhas Accommodation.
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destinations / attractions in the western cape
