General Information
Cape Point is a dramatic promontory at the southeastern tip of the Cape Peninsula, about 60 kilometres south of Cape Town, South Africa. It rises sharply from the ocean, offering breathtaking views where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans nearly meet.
The area is part of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to rugged cliffs, fynbos vegetation, Cape Mountain Zebras, and playful Chacma baboons. Visitors can explore the historic lighthouse via a short funicular ride or scenic walk, taking in panoramic vistas of the surrounding coastline.
Cape Point has been a key landmark for sailors for centuries, with treacherous waters around the point responsible for numerous shipwrecks. The reserve also offers walking trails, wildlife viewing, and opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula.
The Lighthouse
The original Cape Point lighthouse stood too high, often hidden by fog and visible too early to ships, leading to wrecks like the Lusitania in 1911. A new lighthouse was built lower down (87 m above sea level) for better visibility. It’s now the most powerful in South Africa, with a range of 63 miles (101 km) and a flash intensity of 10 megacandelas.
Peaks
Cape Point’s ridge rises into two peaks, the higher one hosts the old lighthouse, while a smaller peak lies just south. Visitors can take the Flying Dutchman Funicular from the car park, then walk up steps to the lighthouse or follow a path to the lower peak for more views.
Oceans Collide
Cape Point is often thought to be where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, but the true meeting point shifts between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas. The mixing currents shape Cape Town’s climate, though there’s no visible “line” in the sea. Powerful swells and tides here have caused many shipwrecks over the centuries.