About Cape Agulhas

Cape Agulhas is a rocky headland in Western Cape, South Africa. It is the geographic southern tip of the African continent and the beginning of the dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans according to the International Hydrographic Organization. Historically, the cape has been known to sailors as a major hazard on the traditional clipper route. It is sometimes regarded as one of the great capes. It was most commonly known in English as Cape L'Agulhas until the 20th century. The town of L'Agulhas is located near to the cape.

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Cape Agulhas is located in the Overberg region, 170 kilometres (105 mi) southeast of Cape Town. The cape was named by Portuguese navigators, who called it Cabo das Agulhas—Portuguese for "Cape of Needles"—after noticing that around the year 1500 the direction of magnetic north (and therefore the compass needle) coincided with true north in the region. Visit the Cape Agulhas Municipality website for more information.

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South of Cape Agulhas, the warm Agulhas Current that flows south along the east coast of Africa retroflects back into the Indian Ocean. While retroflecting, it pinches off large ocean eddies (Agulhas rings) that drift into the South Atlantic Ocean and take enormous amounts of heat and salt into the neighbouring ocean. This mechanism constitutes one of the key elements in the global conveyor belt circulation of heat and salt.

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Cape Agulhas has a spectacular coastline, consisting of a gradually curving coastline with rocky and sand beaches. A survey marker and a new icon depicting the African continent are located at the most Southern tip of Africa. The waters of the Agulhas Bank off the coast are quite shallow and are renowned as one of the best fishing grounds in South Africa. The rocks that form Cape Agulhas belong to the Table Mountain Group, often loosely termed the Table Mountain sandstone. They are closely linked to the geological formations that are exposed in the spectacular cliffs of Table Mountain, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. 

Information source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Agulhas

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There's plenty to do in the area

• Visit the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, a national monument, built in 1849.

• Experience the longest uninterrupted sand beach in the Southern hemisphere at Struisbaai, which also boasts a colorful fishing harbour and get up close to local beloved resident, Parrie the Stingray.

• Fishing Chartered boat trips and kayaking are available (bookings at Struisbaai harbor). 

• This is a nature lover's paradise with seasonal whale watching and many nature trails to choose from.

• De Mond Nature Reserve estuary and De Hoop Nature Reserve are nearby, and worth a day trip to explore these renowned nature conservation reserves.

• Other activities in the area include horse riding, surfing, kite surfing, angling, 4x4 vehicle trips, and even enjoy a game of bowls at the picturesque L'Agulhas Bowls Club.

• Visit Arniston with its Waenhuiskrans caves and Kassiesbaai Fishermen's Village.

• Visit Bredasdorp's Shipwreck Museum, and arts and crafts.

• Visit Elim's Moravian Missionary Village.

• Elim Wine Route: indulge in the wine tasting at the wine farms in the area.

• Or just relax surrounded by fynbos, fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and awaken to the sound of the birds - unwind and see where the day takes you.