Seal Point Nature Reserve

Seal Point Nature Reserve

Pretty Seal Point Nature Reserve is one of four nature reserves that lie at the cape alongside the villages of Cape St Francis, Port St Francis and St Francis Bay. It is situated at the Cape St Francis lighthouse, beyond Cape St Francis Nature Reserve, Seal Bay Nature Reserve and the Irma Booysen Flora Reserve, at the southern most tip of this particular cape.

The lighthouse was commissioned as way back as 1878, stands 28 metres high and was declared a national monument in 1984. Confusingly, it is also known as the Seal Point lighthouse and the two names are used interchangeably. Despite its not being in full operation you can explore it as part of a guided tour. It is no surprise to learn that shipwrecks around here were pretty regular, and street names in Cape St Francis are called after a number of them.

This part of the Cape St Francis coastline is arguably the most beautiful. Certainly it is the least inhabited, the congestion of houses lessening as you make your way further south along the coast, and the lighthouse is the most recognisable landmark for miles.

Often called simply 'seals' by surfers, Sealpoint is regarded as a great place to surf, this area closest to Cape St Francis is also very popular for sand boarding on the Sand River dunes, and the beautiful walks through Seal Point Reserve are reason enough to visit. The Shark Point Walk in particular takes one via the Sea Point Lighthouse, Shark Point shipwreck and onto Shelly Beach.