Lighthouses of South Africa: No 6 POST

The lighthouse at Doringbaai was the next destination so an early start from Paternoster on 11 May 2016 found us heading northward. We had heard from our hostess’ neighbour of a “vuurtoring” and San Cave in the cliffs at Elandsbaai. Passing the crayfish factories in Elandsbaai South and proceeding round the corner of Baboon Point (aka Cape Deseada), we encountered the Provincial Heritage site, accessible by vehicle to within 50 or 60 metres. This transpired to be well worth the slight detour and recommended for anyone following this lighthouse route.

As can be seen, the ladders accessing the top platform of the vuurtoring have been removed. A fire would have been lit there and this would have constituted a rudimentary lighthouse or vuurtoring, like the one that was first erected on Robben Island. PS : A note on the list of Heritage Sites refers to a WW II radar station at this site, so the buildings and "vuurtoring" might be related to that.

The San cave was also of interest and can be found immediately behind the "vuurtoring".

The rock art in the cave appears to show an ostrich, an elephant and a headless antelope, extreme right. The latter’s head was painted in white, which “paint” has not endured. The handprint could be the artist’s signature.

Proceeding further north toward Doringbaai, a worthwhile stop, in summer when the birds are more plentiful, is the gannet colony alongside the breakwater of Lamberts Bay harbour. The photo from a previous trip shows the seal colony in the background as well.

Approaching Doringbaai, the LH is visible in the distance and the entrance to the town is colourful.

The LH is situated within the secured harbour area. However access through the security gate is easy, as there are commercial and retail operations within the area.