Agulhas National Park

Cape Agulhas, not Cape Point, is the southern tip of Africa, and the line of 20 degrees east that runs through it is where the Atlantic officially becomes the Indian Ocean. Agulhas National Park, proclaimed in 1998, protects about 210 square kilometres of coastal plain between Gansbaai and Struisbaai around that point: low fynbos with some 2,000 plant species, wetlands, rocky shore and a coastline that has wrecked ships for centuries. Most people come as a day trip from Cape Town.

Getting there

The tip is about 200 to 225 km from Cape Town, two and a half to three hours. Take the N2 over Sir Lowry’s Pass to Caledon, the R316 through Napier to Bredasdorp, then the R319 to Struisbaai and L’Agulhas. The park office is at 214 Main Road in Agulhas, open weekdays 07:30 to 18:00 and 09:00 to 17:00 on weekends and public holidays; if you will arrive for an overnight stay outside those hours, phone at least a day ahead.

When to go

This is one of the windiest corners of the country, so pick the day as much as the month. Autumn (March to May) tends to be calmest and clearest. Summer is warm and dry but blows; winter brings the rain. Southern right whales come close inshore roughly from June to November, and spring (September to November) adds flowers to the late whales. Bring a windproof layer in every season.

What to do

A boardwalk from the car park leads to the stone cairn and plaque marking the southernmost point, with a large relief map of Africa beside it. The red and white lighthouse, lit in 1849 and the second oldest in the country, has a small museum and tearoom and is open daily 09:00 to 17:00, with the last climb up the ladders at 16:30. Two kilometres west along the shore towards Suiderstrand lies the Meisho Maru 38, a Japanese trawler that ran aground in 1982; all 17 crew got off safely and the hull is still rusting in the surf.

Walks link all three. The Rasperpunt trail is a 5.5 km circuit from the wreck, passing ancient stone fish traps in the shallows. Allow three to four hours if you include the lighthouse. The Two Oceans trail is 10.5 km (four to five hours) with 3 km and 4.5 km short versions, and the Spookdraai trail from L’Agulhas takes under three hours at an easy pace. Birders look for African black oystercatcher and Damara tern.

Good to know

• The rest camp has chalets with sea views and fireplaces and the historic Lagoon House for up to eight. There is no camping inside the park; Struisbaai and L’Agulhas have caravan parks and guesthouses.
• The open sea here is rocky with heavy surf. Swim in the Struisbaai lagoon, not off the point.
• Arniston with its sea cave is about 45 minutes away and De Hoop Nature Reserve about 70 km.

Last updated 6 October 2026. Sources: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, Ostrich Trails, Ostrich Trails (lighthouse hike), South Africa Guide, Private Tours Cape Town.