Cape Point - Beacon At The Corner Of Africa
Cape Point is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations, yet many visitors are unaware of the intriguing secrets and fascinating facts linked to this beautiful place.
Here are 15 facts you may not know about Cape Point…
1 - Crisp, Clean Air
The air at Cape Point is some of the purest in the world, making it an ideal location for one of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) atmospheric research stations. GAW, a global network created by the World Meteorological Organization, monitors trends and changes in the Earth’s atmosphere.
2 - You Might Have Missed The Real Lighthouse
Cape Point is home to two lighthouses, though only one remains in operation today. The original lighthouse, built in the 1850s, is no longer functional, although it remains a popular tourist spot and is usually the one featured on social media selfies.
Positioned too high above the ocean, it was frequently obscured by clouds, and its light was often visible to ships approaching from the east too soon, leading them to steer dangerously close to the shore. This resulted in numerous shipwrecks on the rocks before they could round the peninsula. It was the wreck of the Lusitania on Bellows Rock beneath the lighthouse in 1911 that led to the construction of a new, more effective lighthouse.
The new lighthouse at Cape Point is among the most powerful on the South African coast. Its beam reaches up to 60 kilometers, with each flash delivering an intensity of 10 million candelas.
3 - Cape Of Good Hope Or Cape Of Storms?
The name Cape of Good Hope dates back to the 15th century when Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to lay eyes on Cape Point while searching for the southernmost tip of Africa. Initially, Dias named the area the Cape of Storms due to its fierce weather and dangerous waters. However, at the suggestion of King John II of Portugal, the name was changed to the more hopeful Cape of Good Hope.
4 - Iceberg Near Cape Point
Although rumors of iceberg sightings at Cape Point are largely false or the result of mistaken identity, Dr. John Rogers notes that the British Navy did officially record an iceberg sighting off Cape Point’s coast in the 1800s. The iceberg was located just 60 nautical miles from the peninsula.
Additional historic records exist of Antarctic icebergs appearing within mercantile shipping routes around southern Africa.
5 - Antarctica Is Still A Long Swim Away
Even though it may seem like you can see all the way to Antarctica from Cape Point on a clear day, the icy continent is actually about 6,000 kilometers (3729 miles) away.
That is about as far as New York is from Barcelona!
6 - Table Mountain National Park
Cape Point is part of the same national park as the iconic Table Mountain, known as Table Mountain National Park. The Cape Point section encompasses about 20% of the park, and on a clear day, you can catch glimpses of the back of Table Mountain from several viewpoints.
7 - Bursting With Plant Diversity
The Cape Peninsula’s vibrant and varied plant life has garnered eight World Heritage Site designations from UNESCO. Although the Cape Floral Region covers just 0.5% of Africa, it boasts over 20% of the continent’s plant species.
Remarkably, the Table Mountain National Park alone has more floral species than the entire United Kingdom. At Cape Point, you can discover a diverse array of plants, with recent estimates indicating over 1000 species in the region, including at least 14 that are endemic.
8 - Paradise For Birders
Cape Point hosts a diverse array of bird species. According to Africa Geographic, birdwatchers have documented over 270 species in the area, from tiny sunbirds to large ostriches (often seen on the beaches here).
The coastal vegetation at Cape Point attracts warblers, canaries, and shrikes, and it’s not uncommon to see various seabirds. You might also be fortunate enough to spot a Verraux’s eagle or the rare Western reef heron and Baird’s sandpiper, both of which have been seen at Cape Point but are first-time sightings for South Africa.
9 - More To Dias Cross Than Meets The Eye
The Portuguese government installed two prominent crosses at Cape Point as navigational aids. When aligned correctly, these crosses point towards Whittle Rock, a significant shipping hazard in False Bay (and a great diving spot!).
Additionally, two beacons located in Simon’s Town mark the intersection point and these intersection lines are also featured on modern day maritime navigational maps. The map below is from 1812 and shows the intersecting lines to the Whittle Rock reef.
10 - Ghosts Sail Here
Legend has it that the ghost ship Flying Dutchman haunts the waters around Cape Point, forever cursed to roam the stormy seas without ever reaching port.
The first recorded sighting of the Flying Dutchman came from King George V in 1881, but some residents of Simon’s Town have reported seeing the ship in more recent years. Although the myth likely originated from 17th-century maritime folklore, today you can take a ride on the funicular of the same name to the base of the historic lighthouse.
11 - World War II Radar Listening Stations
In 1942, as shipping losses surged during the war, the South African military installed two small aerials that emitted a narrow radar beam to detect German U-Boats navigating around the peninsula.
Today, remnants of these and other military structures—such as a cannon on Kanonkop used to alert Simon’s Town to approaching vessels—can still be seen at various sites throughout Cape Point.
Out of interest – The German submarine U-179 was sunk by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Active, west southwest of Cape Town in South Africa on 8 October 1942. Sixty-one men died, there were no survivors.
12 - Formed in the Last Ice Age
The Cape of Good Hope was shaped during the last Ice Age, which began 2.6 million years ago. During this period, glaciers covered much of the Earth’s surface, and as they melted during interglacial periods, rising water levels and sediments from the retreating ice caps deposited along the shores, forming rocky headlands.
13 - Experiences a Mediterranean climate
The coastal regions around Cape Point experience a mild, Mediterranean climate, akin to the sea-facing areas of central and southern California, parts of Chile, Australia, and the Mediterranean. Winters are mild, while summers are warm and dry
Locals refer to the summer winds as “the Cape Doctor.” These winds help clear the air of pollution and enhance oxygen levels in the Bay’s shallow waters, benefiting marine life such as crabs, lobsters, and small fish.
14 - Mammals Abound
While many visitors head straight for the lighthouse, they might miss out on a lot more…
The Cape Point Nature Reserve is home to a variety of mammal species, including antelope like klipspringer, steenbok, and eland, as well as the Cape mountain zebra and the peninsula’s unique Chacma baboons. Shy predators such as caracal and small-spotted genet roam the crags, while Cape clawless otters play in the rock pools.
15 - Caves Steeped In History
Several caves line the coast of Cape Point and have hosted everyone from the Khoisan people to royalty in exile.
One such legend is of Sultan Mogamat Abdul Kaharuddin, a prominent religious leader from Sunwaba, Indonesia, who was exiled to the Cape in the late 1700s for opposing Dutch colonial rule. Along with his son Ismael, he was possibly imprisoned in what is now Simon’s Town Museum. After enduring harsh conditions, they escaped to Cape Point, hiding in a cave, which is now known as ‘Antonie’s Gat’. Abdul Kaharuddin eventually lived out his life there with the help of a local farmer.
Much More To Discover...
Cape Point is just one of many compelling reasons to visit Cape Town. Its dramatic landscapes, where the rugged cliffs meet the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, offer a breathtaking experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
However, Cape Town’s allure extends far beyond Cape Point. The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, rich history, and stunning natural beauty, including Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and the lively V&A Waterfront. With its diverse array of attractions, dining options, and outdoor activities, Cape Town provides a multifaceted experience that makes it a must-visit destination.
As part of our Oceans Around Us Expedition you will experience all of this and a lot more!
