Experiences & Activities

Exploring the southernmost point of Africa

Cape Agulhas is more than the place where two oceans officially meet; it makes a memorable journey to the bottom of Africa.

The wreck of the Meisho Maru No. 38 has remained off the coast of Cape Agulhas since November 1982, when the vessel was driven aground during a storm. All 17 crew members survived. Photo: Anchen Coetzee.

There is something wonderfully satisfying about standing at the end of a continent. At Cape Agulhas, the landscape seems to make a quiet statement about geography. This is not simply the southern tip of South Africa. It is officially the southernmost point of the African continent.

The location is marked by a stone cairn at 34°49’58” S and 20°00’12” E. It is also where the Atlantic and Indian oceans officially meet. That makes Cape Agulhas a destination with considerably more substance than a photograph beside a sign.

Take the road beyond Cape Town

Cape Agulhas lies roughly 210 km from Cape Town by the shortest route, according to SANParks. The journey takes you into the Overberg, where wheat fields, fynbos, farm roads and coastal landscapes gradually replace the city's bustle.

The town of Agulhas sits at the edge of Agulhas National Park, while nearby Struisbaai is just 6 km away. This is slow-travel country. Leave the motorway mentality behind.

Find the meeting point

The southernmost tip is deliberately simple. There is a cairn, a stretch of rugged coastline and a broad horizon. The appeal lies in knowing exactly where you are.

Stand there for a while. Look towards the ocean and consider the sheer scale of the continent behind you.

The official meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian oceans is often confused with Cape Point, but they are not the same place. Cape Point lies much further west on the Cape Peninsula. Cape Agulhas has the geographical distinction.

Photo: Quade du Toit.

Climb the lighthouse

The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is another essential stop. Built in 1849, it is the second-oldest working lighthouse in South Africa. Visitors can climb its 71 steps for views over the coastline. The building also houses a lighthouse museum.

The lighthouse's location makes sense once you see the coastline. Ships approaching this part of the Cape were dealing with powerful seas, reefs and a notorious history of wrecks.

Look for traces of the past

The coast around Cape Agulhas carries evidence of both natural and human history. Ancient stone fish traps associated with the Khoisan can be seen east of the lighthouse. Further along the coast, the remains of the Meisho Maru 38 shipwreck provide a stark reminder of the hazards faced by mariners. The nearby Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum provides more context.

The beautiful Overberg in July. Photo: Anchen Coetzee.

Stay for the landscape

Agulhas is not a destination that demands a frantic checklist. Walk the coastline. Watch the weather change. Explore the fynbos. Visit Struisbaai. Follow the road through the Overberg. Then return to the cairn.