24 February 2009
Bird Island Lighthouse
This is the only Lighthouse in South Africa that does not appear elsewhere in this blog. It is situated about 7km off the Port Elizabeth coast.
02 January 2009
Roman Rock Lighthouse
Roman Rock Lighthouse (1861) is built on a rock in False Bay near Simonstown. It stands 17meters above the high water mark. The structure attached to the tower is a helipad. Rough seas and surrounding rocks make for difficult boat access. It is powered by electricity from an undersea cable from the mainland.
Slangkop Lighthouse
Slangkop Lighthouse near Kommetjie is the tallest cast iron Lighthouse in South Africa (33 meters) It has five levels. The Lighthouse was due for completion in 1914 as the brass sign above the door indicates but due to the First world war it only went into operation 1n 1919. Russell Solomons showed me around the Lighthouse.
01 January 2009
Green Point (Cape) Lighthouse
Green Point Lighthouse (Cape) is the oldest solid structured Lighthouse in South Africa dating back to 1824. Many a Lighthouse Keeper learnt their trade there. It is a 16 meter square masonry building and is often incorrectly referred to as Mouille Point. This is the penultimate Lighthouse that I have photographed and had the pleasure of meeting James Collocott - Manager Lighthouse services there.
Robben Island Lighthouse
Robben Island Lighthouse was commissioned in 1865 on the highest point of the island. Jan Van Riebeeck’s diary mentions an open flame that was lit there when ships were expected in 1656. The Lighthouse is an 18 meter masonry tower and is the only lighthouse in South Africa with alight that does not rotate. (It Flashes)
Robben Island has a long history of housing mental patients, lepers and prisoners including Nelson Mandela who was kept there for 18 years.
Milnerton Lighthouse
31 December 2008
Dassen Island Lighthouse
Dassen Island Lighthouse was commissioned in 1893. It is a 28 meter circular iron tower on an Island of about 200 acres - 9 km offshore. It is protected by Cape Nature Conservation with Southern Right whales and plenty of crayfish in the area. It is home to African Penguins, White Flamingos and plenty of rabbits and seagulls. Many a ship went aground here including the first Windsor Castle. It is accessed by boat or helicopter.
South Head Lighthouse
South Head Lighthouse is situated on the Southern side of Suldanha Bay at a little known spot called Donkergat. The area is controlled by the National Defence Force and is behind locked gates. To get to it one must drive through the Langebaan National Park. I was escorted by three Recce personnel while taking photos. It went into operation in 1969.
North Head Lighthouse
30 December 2008
Cape Columbine Lighthouse
Cape Columbine Lighthouse (1936) is a 15 meter square masonry tower near Paternoster. Rachelle Greef from Pretoria who saw this site told me she grew up with a Lighthouse Keeper father. It was a pleasure to meet Japie Greef and his other daughter. The Lighthouse has excellent serviced accommodation including a Honeymoon Suite. At a small fee Japie gives a guided tour of the lighthouse. There are good photos of other Lighthouses on the premises.
Cape St. Martins Lighthouse
Cape St. Martin Lighthouse is a 10 meter lattice tower with an inverted Triangular day marker. It was installed in 1977. It is on the Southern side of St Helena Bay. St Martin was a Roman soldier who was babtised as an adult. During a snow storm he tore his cloak in half to give to a beggar to keep him warm. That night he dreamt that Jesus was wearing the other half.
Stompneusbaai Lighthouse
Doringbaai Lighthouse
Groenriviermond Lighthouse
29 December 2008
Hondeklipbaai Lighthouse
Hondeklip (Dog Rock) Lighthouse gets its name from a dog shaped rock. The first light was installed in 1936 but has had some changes. There is a temporary light that is solar powered while the new structure is being built. The white building that will house the light has been used at other venues (Port Durnford and South Sand Bluff Lighthouses in KZN) I believe the plans come from army watch towers. Copper from O’Keip mine was exported from this area.
27 December 2008
Port Nolloth Lighthouse
Port Nolloth Lighthouse is the most Northern Lighthouse on the Western side of South Africa. I met the Man who looks after the light a Mr Gawie Brandt who has 32 years service in the lighthouse business. He used to go out by boat to change the gas cylinders at a beacon. It is now solo powered. The Lighthouse was started in 1909 in this Diamond and Copper mining area. There are plenty of crayfish here. There is a wreck on the beach close to the Lighthouse.
14 April 2008
Green Point Lighthouse

When I first saw this Lighthouse it was being prepared for a coat of paint. The rust was being sanded off and it didn't look good.
A few months later the tower looked great but the scaffolding around the dome was still there.
Well the scaffolds have been removed and the dome is still rusted. The rust has washed down onto the the newly painted tower and it is already starting to look shabby.
12 April 2008
Cape Hermes Revisited
11 April 2008
11 March 2008
Port Elizabeth Revisited
There are three lighthouses in Port Elizabeth which have been been blogged previously. Someone shot the lens at Cape Recife lighthouse a few years back and the lens is unobtainable.
So instead of the usual 8 flashes it now has only six flashes.
The lattice Deal Light replaced The Hill Lighthouse as the growing city lights made it un identifiable from the sea.
30 December 2007
Cape Vidal Lighthouse
Tugela Lighthouse
24 August 2007
Gerrit Penning
14 May 2007
Green Point Lighthouse - Natal
19 March 2007
Roman Rock Lighthouse
05 January 2007

The top two photos are of the Bluff lighthouse - the first on the Natal Coast and commissioned on 23rd January 1867. It was encased in concrete in 1933.
The third photo is that of Mouille Lighthouse which was the 2nd lighthouse in South Africa. ( 01 - 07 - 1842 ) It was demolished in the 1920's. It is in close proximity and often confused with Green Point Lighthouse.
The last photo is of Castle Point - East London. This lighthouse was commissioned on 25th August 1860 and was used until 3rd June 1895. It was finally demolished in 1929.
The third photo is that of Mouille Lighthouse which was the 2nd lighthouse in South Africa. ( 01 - 07 - 1842 ) It was demolished in the 1920's. It is in close proximity and often confused with Green Point Lighthouse.
The last photo is of Castle Point - East London. This lighthouse was commissioned on 25th August 1860 and was used until 3rd June 1895. It was finally demolished in 1929.
Replaced Lighthouses

The first photo is of the Old Cape Point Lighthouse which was used from 1st May 1860 to 11th March 1919. It was replaced by the lighthouse directly below it as it was too high and was sometimes obscured by mist and cloud.
The second photo is of The Hill Lighthouse in Port Elizabeth which was replaced by Deal Light (below it) because the city lights and high rise buildings obscured the light and made it difficult to distinguish.
The second photo is of The Hill Lighthouse in Port Elizabeth which was replaced by Deal Light (below it) because the city lights and high rise buildings obscured the light and made it difficult to distinguish.
Bluff Tower
04 January 2007
02 January 2007
South African Lighthouses
I started this blog a few months ago and the first entry was a collage of myself and the seven lighthouses that I had seen at that stage. I made this collage of the lighthouses that I have seen to date. To see all the lighthouses in South Africa I would have to cover the area from Cape Town and the west Coast. Anyone keen on doing it with me!!!!

28 December 2006
Cape Point Lighthouse
Roman Rock Lighthouse
Cape Hangklip Lighthouse
Danger Point Lighthouse
Quoin Point Lighthouse
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
27 December 2006
Cape Infanta Lighthouse
Ystervark Punt Lighthouse
Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse
Cape Seal Lighthouse
This lighthouse is usually accessed by helicopter and is situated on the rocky peninsula of the Robberg Nature trail south of Plettenberg Bay. This lighthouse was commissioned on 11 May 1950 and at 146 meters above sea level is the highest light on the South African Coast. The light is mounted on a six meter lattice tower. Solar panels keep the batteries charged.
Seal Point Lighthouse
Deal Lighthouse
Cape Recife Lighthouse
24 December 2006
The Great Fish Lighthouse

This lighthouse is situated 25 km east of Port Alfred. In days gone by the lighthouse keeper had to wind up weights and as they descended down the centre column they pulled the light which made it turn. This lighthouse has all the parts despite being automated. It is a 9 meter masonry tower and is easily reached by car.
The Hill Lighthouse
This lighthouse was commissioned in 1861 and was used until 1973. It is situated in Port Elizabeth City Centre. As the town grew the city lights decreased the effectiveness of the lighthouse so it was replaced with the Deal Lighthouse. (Previously blogged by Gavin) It is now a tourist attraction. It has seven levels, easy to get to and has a small entrance fee.
18 December 2006
Birkenhead Memorial (Danger Point)

Somewhere behind those waves, on hidden reefs below the surface, the British Birkenhead Troopship ran aground in 1852. It never reached its destination, Port Elizabeth, and was forced to give 450 of its 643 passengers to the seas. The ship was wrecked off Danger Point, where a lighthouse was established in 1895 (see picture below). This memorial is situated behind the lighthouse and looks towards the fatal reefs.
Danger Point Lighthouse

Danger Point Lighthouse is most famous for its connection to the Birkenhead disaster - a British Troopship that ran onto reefs in 1852 off Danger Point. Forty-three years after the disaster, in 1895, the lighthouse was established. It is a neat structure with lots of history behind it: you have difficulty leaving! And the views are stunning. It is very close to the coastal fishing town of Gansbaai in the Southern Cape: you can drive all the way to the lighthouse and enter the building during visiting hours. It is one of the commercialized towers along the coast, so very accessible. A memorial for the Birkenhead has been erected close to the tower. Directions: when coming from the west (Hermanus side), turn right after leaving Gansbaai, driving all the way to the coast. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way (before it gets destroyed by property developers!)
Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse (Mosselbay)

A well-known lighthouse, the Cape St. Blaize tower is situated within the urban perimeters of the harbour and tourist town of Mosselbay in the Southern Cape on the N2 national route. The lighthouse is accessible to the public during certain visiting hours. You can drive up the hill towards the site, although it can be difficult finding the correct road first time! You have some stunning views from the top at the lighthouse's deck - the whole of Mosselbay and the deep blue waters of the Southern Cape. The cliffs surrounding the lighthouse is fantastic. The light saw first operations in 1864. An impressive structure well worth the visit. This photo was taken in March 2005 upon my first visit to the lighthouse.
Ystervarkpunt Lighthouse

Ystervarkpunt Lighthouse is situated within Rein's Nature Reserve, located halfway between the coastal towns of Gouritsmond and Stilbaai in the Southern Cape. The reserve is accessible to the public, but you cannot enter the Lighthouse's premises (although you can easily drive up to its gates). When I visited the site in 2003, they were finished with the construction of the new tower (right), but the light has not been moved yet. This photo was taken in April 2006 - the light has been transferred, same height as the original lattice tower. Best way to approach Rein's is from Gouritsmond: a road leading to the nature reserve can be found just to the north of the town. You will have to pay entrance fees at the gates - take cash with you. You can find a map of the area at the reception building in the reserve - the lighthouse is situated down a gravel road to the west a few km's behind the reception building. You can access the roads with a sedan, a 4x4 is not necessary. Probably one of the newest towers along the coast? Beautiful red and white stripes, a pleasure to the eye.
25 November 2006
Tugela Mouth Lighthouse
18 November 2006
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
The area was named by Bartholomeu Dias in 1488 ( L'Agulhas which means Cape of the Needle) The compass needle jumped around when rounding the Cape.Most Southerly Lighthouse in Africa and the one with the most shipwrecks near it. First lit on 01-03-1849 making it one of the oldest too.
It has a range of 30 sea miles.
Photo by Nic Codeghini
06 November 2006
Ifafa Lightouse
Unhlanga Lighthouse
Hood Point - East London Lighthouse
Port Shepstone Lighthouse
Tugela
North Sand Bluff Lighthouse
Coopers Lighthouse
05 November 2006
Durnford Lighthouse

This lighthouse was named after Colonel AW Durnford who was the colonial engineer in Natal in the 1870's. This lighthouse has replaced the original lattice structure that was erected on 01 March 1916 by H Cooper. Access is difficult and requires a 4x4 and passes through a local villiage. The lighthouse is gaurded by 2 armed gaurds at all times due to vandalism and theft.
Richard's Bay Lighthouse
Jesser Point Lighthouse
04 November 2006
Jolly Rubino

This photo was taken from the Cape St Lucia lighthouse.
The vessel is the Jolly Rubino. It ran aground in Sep 2002. It was about 20 miles off RichardsBay when a fire started on board . The crew were airlifted, and the vessel continued to float - still alight - for a couple of days, before settling on a sand bank in the surf north of the St Lucia lighthouse.
(Info supplied by Willem de Waal)
Cape St. Lucia Lighthouse

This lighthouse is situated one and a half hours drive from Richards Bay along the Mapelane road. It is 8 meters high and situated on a hill. The only Lighthouse to have a woman assistant Light keeper in the 1940’s. (Mrs Coward) A shipwreck can be seen from the lighthouse(Jolly Rubino) – a cargo ship which went down in 1993. It can be reached in any car but a stretch of sand road makes for slow driving.
Cape Morgan Lighthouse
This is the most Easterly lighthouse on the Cape Coast and is situated 3 km west of Great Kei River mouth along a gravel road. Can easily be reached in any car.The lighthouse consists of a fully automatic Stone Chance lantern atop a 12-metre aluminium lattice tower. There are two white flashes every 10 seconds with a range of 24 sea miles.
02 November 2006
South Sand Bluff Lighthouse
Green Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse is still under renovation but isstarting to look good. Situated at Umkomaas. Easy to drive to. It has a 22m high cast iron tower. Commissioned on 16-10-1905. The red light midway demarcates the Aliwal Shoal. I will post another photograph when renovations to this lighthouse is completed.
M'bashee Lighthouse

This lighthouse is a 14 Meter high lattice tower. The lighthouse keeper Kaya Rasmeni was born at the lighthouse while his father was the keeper. He himself started working at the lighthouse from age 19 in 1973. He then took over as lighthouse keeper in 1994. This is where the Oceanis went down on the 04 Aug 1991 and the place where I'm staying (The Haven) accommodated the survivors. It is run by Chris and Denise Hawkins who are great hosts. They showed me the site of the original lighthouse. This place is worth a visit!!! A 4x4 is recommended. There is a 60 km stretch of usually gravel road. It is now MUD!!!
31 October 2006
Cape Hermes Lighthouse

This lighthouse is situated at Port St Johns. It is named after HMS Hermes. It is a stone structure with an octagonal dolomite tower. (Quarried nearby)
The lighthouse keeper, Hazel Mjoji has been there since 20 December 1976 and took over from his father who was the lighthouse keeper.
It was commissioned on 01-05-1903. Easy to drive to.
21 October 2006
Toby Chance
18 September 2006
Brian White
“In practice, it was shown not to be necessary to have lights of such great power. In fog or low cloud, light is dissipated by the water vapour in the air so in these kinds of weather conditions it doesn't matter how strong it is, the light just doesn't penetrate over large distances. Putting lighthouses on high cliffs is okay for increasing the visibility, but if the lighthouse was often shrouded in mist and low cloud it rendered them useless.
You might also ask, what is the point of being able to see a light from a distance of fifty miles (80 Km), even if it were possible? There is surely a sensible distance which combines the need to know about a navigational hazard and being too far away for it to matter? So, over time, a balance was struck between the need for a reasonably bright light to be seen at a sensible distance.”
Thanks Brian
You might also ask, what is the point of being able to see a light from a distance of fifty miles (80 Km), even if it were possible? There is surely a sensible distance which combines the need to know about a navigational hazard and being too far away for it to matter? So, over time, a balance was struck between the need for a reasonably bright light to be seen at a sensible distance.”
Thanks Brian
Hood Point Lighthouse
Ifafa Beach Lighthouse
Seal Point Lighthouse
Great Fish river Lighthouse
Umhlanga Lighthouse
Deal Party Lighthouse, Port Elizabeth
Deal Party lighthouse, Port Elizabeth, with the bay in the background! Situated in the industrial area known as Deal Party. This lighthouse is fairly accessible, but tricky to get to!!! This lighthouse is unmanned, but has had to be fenced off and motion detectors put in to keep unwelcome visitors out. I was kindly allowed to go in and take photographs with the permission of the NPA.
Cape Recife Lighthouse, Port Elizabeth
17 September 2006
Chance Brothers
15 September 2006
Old timer - Richard Wyness
Swakopmund Lighthouse

Swakopmund Lighthouse is situated in the beautiful coastal town of Swakopmund in Namibia near the waterfront overlooking the main beach. Beneath the tower is the Lighthouse Cafe where visitors can enjoy a snack or two. No entry into the tower was allowed in November 2003 (any updates on this?) It is operational. I photographed it on 28 November 2003. It's thus not a problem getting to the lighthouse - the problem lies more with getting to Swakopmund in Namibia if you don't live there!
Year of installation of this lighthouse was 1903 (though unconfirmed)
Height: 28 metre masonry tower (NPA)
14 September 2006
Cape Vidal Lighthouse
Green Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse is close to Scottburgh. There is a full time lighthouse keeper that lives on the premises. It is currently undergoing a major face lift. The first platform has been painted and really looks good. I have numerous photos from all angles and some good views from the top. Expect more on this lighthouse in the future.
My first lighthouse trip

I came across a lighthouse while I was in Port Edward and went to the top. I passed Port Shepstone and saw another lighthouse. I asked if I could go into it and was given permission.
Well that was the start of my interest in lighthouses.
I decided to visit all lighthouses in Natal.
On trying to get more information I came across Gerrit and Gavin whom I hope will help build this site. After seeing the lighthouses in Natal I will go further afield.
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