Cape Town Lighthouses

Not all Cape Town Lighthouses are manned, therefore I've only added those that are either open for viewing or easily accessible.

(See map at the bottom of the page)

Cape Columbine (Paternoster)

Image: Steve Crane

Cape Columbine Lighthouse is situated on a prominent headland ±5 km from Paternoster which along the West Coast 150 km from Cape Town.

The lighthouse, built on rising ground at Castle Rock, is usually the first lighthouse sighted by shipping coming from South America and Europe along the western route.

The Columbine Nature Reserve surrounds the lighthouse and the coastline is well known for its sea life, especially crayfish.

On offer:

Guided tours of the lighthouse
Curios and memorabilia on sale
Self-catering accommodation
Conference facility - can accommodate at least 60 persons (banquet style) and 100 persons in cinema seating style.
Wedding venue - This a very popular wedding venue.

Contact Detail:

t: 022 752 2705

Hours:

Mondays to Fridays: 10:00 - 15:00
Weekends & Public Holidays:

October to April 10:00 - 15:00
May to September - By reservation only

Cape Town Lighthouses page.

Milnerton

Image: ifijay

This 21m lighthouse was built in 1960 after numerous ships ran aground in the area. The Nieuw Haarlem is commemorated with a plaque at the lighthouse.

The light can be seen for 25 nautical miles and it flashes 3 times every 20 seconds.

Contact Detail:

t: 021 449 2400

Hours:

Only external viewing allowed, therefore there are no hours.

Robben Island

Image : Blackwych

This lighthouse was built in 1863 and is the only lighthouse in South Africa to use a flashing light rather than a revolving light.

On offer:

External viewing from bus only

Contact Detail:

t: 021 449 2400

Hours:

The viewing hours are the same as the visiting hours of Robben Island.

Cape Town Lighthouses page.

Green Point

Image: Petto F

Greenpoint Lighthouse (mistakingly, but lovingly, also referred to as Mouille Point lighthouse) was the first solidly constructed lighthouse in South Africa. It was orginally built in 1824, but was extended to its present height of 20 metres in 1865.

On offer:

Self guided tours of the lighthouse
Curios and memorabilia on sale
Conference facility

Contact Detail:

t: 021 449 5171

Hours:

Mondays to Fridays: 09:00 - 15:00

Slangkop (Kommetjie)

Cape Town Lighthouses - Slangkop in Kommetjie

Slangkop Lighthouse is the tallest cast iron lighthouse in South Africa. Commissioned in 1919, this 40 metre hight lighthouse warns ships for up to 33 miles with its four flashes every 30 seconds.

One of the famous shipwrecks was the "SS Maori" in 1909 and withing walking distance of the lighthouse are three graves of sailors, believed to have comed from the wreck of the Maori.

On offer:

Guided tours of the lighthouse
Curios and memorabilia on sale

Contact Detail:
t: 021 449 2400

Hours:
Mondays to Fridays: 09:00 - 15:00

Cape Point

Cape Point has two lighthouses which can be viewed externally only.
The Old lighthouse was built in 1860, but because it was too often hidden in clouds, a newer one was built in 1914.
Perched further down the cliffs on Diaz Point, it’s the most powerful lighthouse in South Africa.

On offer:

External viewing only
great sights

Contact Detail:

t: 021 449 2400

Hours:

The viewing hours are the same as the visiting hours of Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Cape Town Lighthouses page.

Danger Point (Gansbaai)

Cape Town Lighthouses - Danger Point near Gansbaai

Image: j.knutzen

Danger Point lighthouse is a masonry tower, 18,3 meters in height and its light can be seen for 25 sea miles.

It was here in 1852 that the H.M.S. Birkenhead struck an uncharted rock and sank with 445 souls on board. The Birkenhead Memorial is also located on site.

On offer:

Guided tours of the lighthouse
Curios and memorabilia on sale
Self-catering accommodation
Conference facility - can accommodate at least 30 persons (banquet style) and 100 persons in cinema seating style.

Contact Detail:

t: 028 384 0530

Hours:

Mondays to Fridays: 10:00 - 15:00