Lighthouses of S Africa

Luke Gollop

2011-04-24T11:53:00.005+02:00

Mouille Point Lighthouse

2010-08-16T23:12:00.000+02:00

Mouille point Lighthouse was commissioned in 1842 and has been inactive since 1908.
It was the second Lighthouse in South Africa.
It was demolished in 1912.
What remaines is a 3m rebuilt structure.
This Lighthouse is often confused with the Green Point Lighthouse a short distance away.

Contact Details

2009-02-24T20:09:00.000+02:00

joeviljoen@gmail.com

Bird Island Lighthouse

2009-02-24T20:01:00.002+02:00

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.

Roman Rock Lighthouse

2009-01-02T22:34:00.003+02:00

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

2009-01-02T22:31:00.003+02:00

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.

Green Point (Cape) Lighthouse

2009-01-01T21:47:00.002+02:00

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

2009-01-01T21:46:00.003+02:00

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

2009-01-01T21:44:00.003+02:00

Milnerton Lighthouse is in the suburb of Milnerton surrounded by pubs and clubs. The lighthouse was erected in 1960 and is a 21 meter concrete tower.

Dassen Island Lighthouse

2008-12-31T23:41:00.002+02:00

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

2008-12-31T23:40:00.003+02:00

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

2008-12-31T23:38:00.002+02:00

North Head Lighthouse was installed in 1939 and the first light was powered by acetylene gas. It is situated in the property of the Suldanha Naval Base on the Northern side of Suldanha Bay. The Lighthouse is now automated and is on a nature trial path.

Cape Columbine Lighthouse

2008-12-30T23:16:00.003+02:00

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

2008-12-30T23:14:00.002+02:00

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

2008-12-30T23:11:00.004+02:00

Stompneusbaai (Blunt Nose Bay) is not a Lighthouse but a Lead Light. The area was bought to establish Shelly Point Estate and the owner who was a Lighthouse enthusiast built this structure. A seal was on the rocks near the “Lighthouse.”

Doringbaai Lighthouse

2008-12-30T23:10:00.002+02:00

Doringbaai Lighthouse was installed in 1963. It is situated 20km south of the Olifants River in a fishing community. Robert Oldale showed me the remains of the previous lattice lighthouse that was destroyed in a storm in 1991.

Groenriviermond Lighthouse

2008-12-30T23:03:00.003+02:00

Groenriviermond Lighthouse is a 17.2 meter concrete structure. It is used as a navigational aid along the West Coast. The lighthouse is accessed by a gravel road. It is rather deserted with some farming in the area and is a holiday destination for those who want to escape from society.

Hondeklipbaai Lighthouse

2008-12-29T20:31:00.008+02:00

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.

Port Nolloth Lighthouse

2008-12-27T21:15:00.005+02:00

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.

Green Point Lighthouse

2008-04-14T19:56:00.002+02:00

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.

Cape Hermes Revisited

2008-04-12T17:26:00.002+02:00

Cape Hermes Lighthouse situated at Port St Johns on the East Coast of South Africa. One of the few Lighthouses that still has a Keeper.

Fish River Lighthouse Revisited

2008-04-11T16:39:00.002+02:00

Cape Seal Lighthouse

2008-04-11T16:22:00.001+02:00

Port Elizabeth Revisited

2008-03-11T20:23:00.003+02:00

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.

Cape Vidal Lighthouse

2007-12-30T22:57:00.000+02:00

I visited this Lighthouse on Christmas day. This time I found a road to it instead of the long hike along the beach. The premises look neglected and uncared for. It has deteriated since my last visit.

Tugela Lighthouse

2007-12-30T22:32:00.000+02:00

This Lighthouse has now been completed. I posted a previous entry with the stucture of this lighthouse but without the light.

Gerrit Penning

2007-08-24T10:45:00.000+02:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Gerrit at his home in Bloemfontein this week. We share info on lighthouses from time to time. He is also a keen Astronomer and set up his telescope and gave me some interesting info about the stars and moon.

Green Point Lighthouse - Natal

2007-05-14T09:11:00.000+02:00

I first visited this lighthouse last year and it looked rather shabby. (See previous photos) It looks much better now but seems to be taking ages to get the job finished. Well its only the dome left to paint now.

Roman Rock Lighthouse

2007-03-19T19:47:00.000+02:00

Photo's of Roman Rock Lighthouse situated in False Bay. The previous one posted by me was taken at a distance and cannot be seen clearly.

Photos sent to me by Heather Vallance from The Pen and The Spindle and Nicolette Booyens

2007-01-05T12:10:00.000+02:00

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.

Replaced Lighthouses

2007-01-05T12:09:00.000+02:00

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.

Bluff Tower

2007-01-05T12:06:00.000+02:00

An imposing sight at the entrance to Durban Harbour. Built for the millennium. It is a tower and not a lighthouse and does not fall under the National Ports Authority but is used as a landmark by ships.

Unidentified Lighthouse

2007-01-04T13:57:00.000+02:00

Can anyone tell me more about this old photo??? I came across it in a museum.

South African Lighthouses

2007-01-02T15:42:00.000+02:00

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!!!!

Slangkop Lighthouse

2006-12-28T13:38:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse is situated at Kommetjie and is the tallest cast iron lighthouse on the South African Coast. It was commissioned on 4th March 1919. There are 5 Floors each 6.1 meters above the other.

Cape Point Lighthouse

2006-12-28T13:35:00.000+02:00

The old lighthouse was commissioned on 1st May 1860 and was replaced on 11 March 1919 by this then new 9 meter masonry tower situated lower down the mountain. The old one was too high and mist and cloud obscured the light.

Roman Rock Lighthouse

2006-12-28T11:11:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse was commissioned on 16 September 1861 and is situated in False bay near Simonstown. It is the only rock lighthouse in South Africa. It can only be reached by sea or air. I took this photo with a 4 mega pixel digital camera and then cropped the lighthouse and enlarged it.

Cape Hangklip Lighthouse

2006-12-28T11:09:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse gets its name from the nearby mountain with a "hanging' shape. It is situated at the entrance to False Bay. A 23 meter reinforced concrete tower that was commissioned on 25 November 1960.

Danger Point Lighthouse

2006-12-28T11:08:00.000+02:00

Easy to drive to and close to Gansbaai this lighthouse has previously been blogged by Gerrit Penning. Often it is referred to as the Birkenhead. It is 18.3 meters high and was commissioned on 1st January 1895.

Quoin Point Lighthouse

2006-12-28T11:05:00.000+02:00

Situated at Buffelljagsbaai. This lighthouse was commissioned on 2nd March 1955. It is a lattice tower 23 meters high. It has a diamond shaped day marker. A 4 x 4 is required for the last few kilometres.

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

2006-12-28T11:01:00.000+02:00

This is the most southerly lighthouse on the South African Coast. It is 27 meters high and was commissioned on 1st March 1849. see previous entry for more info.

Cape Infanta Lighthouse

2006-12-27T21:47:00.000+02:00

This Lighthouse is situated in the San Sebastian Private Nature Reserve on the road to Cape Infanta. It has a 15 meter lattice tower and was commissioned on 15 March 1979. Tortoises and Proteas are found in abundance in this area.

Ystervark Punt Lighthouse

2006-12-27T21:44:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse was commissioned on 4th August 1964 and was originally a lattice tower. This new lighthouse was recently constructed. See earlier entry by Gerrit Penning.

Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse

2006-12-27T21:40:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse is situated at Mossel Bay. It is a 20.5 meter masonry tower and was commissioned on 15 March 1864. For further info see Gerrit's previous blog.

Cape Seal Lighthouse

2006-12-27T21:36:00.000+02:00

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

2006-12-27T17:40:00.000+02:00

Many ships have been wrecked in this area. The lighthouse is the tallest masonry tower (28 meters) on the South African Coast. It was commissioned on 4 July 1878. Easy to drive to and sometimes referred to as Cape St. Francis Lighthouse.

Deal Lighthouse

2006-12-27T17:37:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse is at the entrance to Port Elizabeth. It replaced The Hill Lighthouse on 1 November 1973. The light is mounted on a 22 meter lattice tower. Named after British Settlers from Deal in Kent.

Cape Recife Lighthouse

2006-12-27T17:33:00.000+02:00

This Lighthouse is just outside Port Elizabeth at Algoa Bay. It was commissioned on 1 April 1851 and is 24 meter masonry tower. Perlemoen shells are in abundance on the beach.

The Great Fish Lighthouse

2006-12-24T22:56:00.000+02:00

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

2006-12-24T17:35:00.000+02:00

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.

Birkenhead Memorial (Danger Point)

2006-12-18T19:36:00.000+02:00

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

2006-12-18T19:24:00.000+02:00

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)

2006-12-18T19:15:00.000+02:00

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

2006-12-18T19:03:00.000+02:00

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.

Tugela Mouth Lighthouse

2006-11-25T22:38:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse is nearing completion now. It has A railing at the top and the fences have been erected. Work is now being done on the accommodation. The steps going to the top are now being put in.

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse

2006-11-18T19:05:00.000+02:00

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

Ifafa Lightouse

2006-11-06T13:34:00.000+02:00

Date of installation of this lighthouse as 04 February 1980.
It has a range of 19 sea miles.
23 meter lattice tower.
One of the few lighthouses without a lantern house.
Tarred roads to the lighthouse.
No keeper.

Unhlanga Lighthouse

2006-11-06T13:32:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse was commissioned on 25 November 1954.
It has a range of 24 sea miles.
21 meter circular concrete tower. Fully automatic.
Was one of the lighthouses built to replace the old Bluff lighthouse.
Similar to Coopers Lighthouse.

Hood Point - East London Lighthouse

2006-11-06T12:57:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse wascommissioned on 4 June 1895.
Tower 19 metre high circular masonry.
Range 31 sea miles.
Has a keeper - Stevie vd Merwe.
Easy to drive to and is a commercialised lighthouse. R13.70 entrance fee.

Port Shepstone Lighthouse

2006-11-06T12:56:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse was installed in 1905. It has a range of 26 sea miles.
8 meter circular cast iron tower.
Was originally at Scottburgh.
Tarred road to the lighthouse and a R5.00 entrance fee.

Tugela

2006-11-06T12:54:00.000+02:00

In the prosess of being biult. This lighthouse has a tempory light until the tower is finished.
Can be reached by ordinary car.
Fences are being erected around the lighthouse.
Follow the Tugela mouth turn off from the N2.
It replaces the old lattice tower from 1972.

North Sand Bluff Lighthouse

2006-11-06T12:52:00.000+02:00

Tarred road to Port Edward.
Round concrete tower that replaced the lattice tower from 1968.
This lighthouse is commercialised and offers accommadation on site. Day visitors pay R10.00.

Coopers Lighthouse

2006-11-06T12:50:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse was commissioned on 31 July 1953. Has a range of 26 sea miles.
21 meter concrete tower.
Almost identical to theUmhlanga Lighthouse.
Was one of the lighthouses built to replace the Bluff lighthouse.

Durnford Lighthouse

2006-11-05T19:49:00.000+02:00

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

2006-11-05T19:48:00.000+02:00

This lighthouse has a unique design. Square lower section of 8 meters and upper cylindrical section of 3 meters. Range of 25 sea miles. Commissioned on 22-05-1979. Easy to drive to this lighthouse.

Jesser Point Lighthouse

2006-11-05T19:41:00.000+02:00

The most northerly lighthouse in Natal. Situated in a holiday resort at Sodwana. 10 meter concrete tower. Tarred road all the way.

Jolly Rubino

2006-11-04T21:10:00.000+02:00

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

2006-11-04T16:04:00.000+02:00

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

2006-11-04T14:50:00.000+02:00

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.

South Sand Bluff Lighthouse

2006-11-02T21:15:00.000+02:00

I believe this will be the first ever published photograph of this lighthouse. All references I have come across still show it as a lattice tower.The original lighthouse here was commissioned on 21-08-1931

Green Point Lighthouse

2006-11-02T21:02:00.000+02:00

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

2006-11-02T14:56:00.000+02:00

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!!!

Cape Hermes Lighthouse

2006-10-31T19:55:00.000+02:00

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.

Toby Chance

2006-10-21T20:41:00.000+02:00

Welcome to the lighthouse blog Toby!!!!!
Toby is the Great, Great Grandson of the Chance brothers who built lighthouses!!!
We welcome you on as a team member and look forward to your knowledge and contribution to this blog. Thank you too for the lighthouse pictures.

Brian White

2006-09-18T19:19:00.000+02:00

“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

Hood Point Lighthouse

2006-09-18T14:43:00.000+02:00

Hood Point lighthouse, East London. This lighthouse has as it's neighbours a grave yard and a golf course!!!! Really well maintained lighthouse.

Ifafa Beach Lighthouse

2006-09-18T14:34:00.000+02:00

Ifafa lighthouse, Ifafa Beach on the Natal South Coast. Very accessible and easy to get to! Basically a tower with a permanently revolving light, simple, but effective.

Seal Point Lighthouse

2006-09-18T13:29:00.000+02:00

Seal Point lighthouse, Cape St. Francis. This is the most scenic lighthouse I have visited so far!! The weather was perfect that day, with a bit of cloud in the background to give the photos some character.

Great Fish river Lighthouse

2006-09-18T13:21:00.000+02:00

Situated near Port Alfred, this is a SALATO lighthouse, and has a guesthouse that can be rented. It is in a really scenic position, perfect for a unique holiday!!

Umhlanga Lighthouse

2006-09-18T13:05:00.000+02:00

Umhlanga lighthouse, situated in Umhlanga Rocks in front of the Oyster Box hotel. Has been painted recently, so looks good!!

Deal Party Lighthouse, Port Elizabeth

2006-09-18T12:45:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-18T12:39:00.000+02:00

Cape Recife Lighthouse, Port Elizabeth. This lighthouse is well maintained, and has a great bunch of guys working there. They are also responsible for maintaining the unmanned Deal Party lighthouse.

Chance Brothers

2006-09-17T15:54:00.000+02:00

Thank you Toby!!!
Toby Chance is the great grandson of the Chance
Brothers who were lighthouse builders. He sent this photo to me recently. It was taken at the lighthouse in East London. He also wants to get in contact with anyone who knew or had dealings with his family.

Old timer - Richard Wyness

2006-09-15T20:09:00.000+02:00

On my recent visit to Green Point lighthouse (Natal) I met an artist who has a long history as a "Lighthouse keeper". His son is the present lighthouse keeper there. I photographed some of his work. The train may be familiar to many.

Swakopmund Lighthouse

2006-09-15T15:42:00.000+02:00

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)

Cape Vidal Lighthouse

2006-09-14T13:25:00.000+02:00

To get to this lighthouse I had to drive through a game reserve from St. Lucia to Cape vidal. I nearly drove into 2 rhinos on the way. Costs are R30 per car and R20 per person. Then a 3km walk along the beach and up a steep bank and I was there. The yellow shows up amongst the greenery.

Green Point Lighthouse

2006-09-14T13:16:00.000+02:00

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

2006-09-14T12:54:00.000+02:00

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.