Cape Town’s Historic Lighthouses, Privately Guided
The Cape Peninsula
Lighthouse Tour
The legendary Cape Peninsula route: An epic, mystical journey through its historical lighthouses
Experience the ultimate coastal pilgrimage, tracing the dramatic transition from Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard to the vast expanse of the False Bay. This journey is a masterclass in scale, from the panoramic heights of Signal Hill to the rare, exhilarating opportunity to stand within the lanterns of the Green Point and Slangkop Lighthouses. Wind along the world-renowned coastal road where granite cliffs meet turquoise waters, ultimately reaching the wild, untamed nature of Cape Point. (Don't feed the baboons!) We conclude the day on Red Hill viewpoint overlooking Simon’s Town and the isolated Roman Rock Lighthouse, watching the daylight fade over the very, treacherous waters that defined the "Lightkeeper's Legacy."
Estimated Duration: 9 - 10 hours
The Itinerary
Pick Up and Orientation
Your tour begins with a personalised pick-up from your accommodation or other pre-arranged point. First things first: the safety briefing. Then, while traveling to the first stop on Signal Hill, I will introduce the theme of the tour: the Lightkeeper’s Legacy.
Signal Hill and the Robben Island Lighthouse
We start with a breathtaking view from Signal Hill, looking out over Table Bay and specifically the Robben Island Lighthouse. You’ll see the shipping lanes and habour that rely for safe travel and operation on this lighthouse and the other beacons we are about to explore. Signal Hill provides a perfect location for geographical orientation for the day’s adventure. Also, my late grandfather was the lightkeeper at this lighthouse for a number of years in the 1960s and 70s. I have some good stories to tell..
Mouille Point and the Athens Wreck
Along the Mouille Point shoreline, we pause to view the rusted remains of the SS Athens. This 1865 shipwreck serves as a vivid reminder that the “Cape of Good Hope” was first called the “Cape of Storms” and the high stakes involved in maritime navigation before the era of modern signaling.
Green Point Lighthouse
Step inside South Africa’s oldest and still operational lighthouse. Distinguished by its vibrant candy-striped exterior, this beacon houses a fascinating museum. We’ll explore the evolution of light technology, from oil to electric lamps, from parabolic reflectors to massive rotating lenses. Best of all, we get to climb up to the lantern room at the top. There, we will get close up view of a Fresnel lens and step out onto the gallery for a panoramic view of the sea and the Green Point promenade.
Chapmans Peak Drive and Hout Bay Viewpoint
We navigate the legendary curves of “Chappies,” stopping at the highest vantage point to admire the views and the sheer verticality of the cliffs. This world-renowned drive offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the planet, and showcases the raw Atlantic power that ships passing the Cape have to deal with.
Noordhoek Viewpoint and the SS Kakapo Wreck
Looking out over the vast sands of Noordhoek’s Long Beach, we spot the skeletal remains of the SS Kakapo. This unique “beach wreck” is a remarkable story of navigational error, where a ship was driven straight onto the shore, further emphasizing the critical need for the nearby Slangkop light.
Slangkop Lighthouse and Picnic Lunch
We enjoy a relaxed picnic nearby South Africa’s tallest cast-iron lighthouse, Slangkop, located at Kommetjie. After lunch, we take an exhilarating guided climb to the top of the 33-meter tower. (Be prepared. Lots of steps.) Standing out on the lantern gallery provides an unmatched perspective of the Atlantic surf and the rugged coastline below. My late grandfather served here for a number of years during the late 50s to early 60s.
Cape Point and the Two Lighthouses
Continuing south, we enter the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park. In this part of the tour we explore the legendary beacons of Cape Point, where the old and new lighthouses stand high above the churning waters at the southwestern-most point of South Africa, surrounded by unique fynbos and local wildlife. (Lots of steps and walking.) My late grandfather served as a lightkeeper here for a number of years from 1945-50; my mother was born here. More stories.
Boulders Beach and the African Penguin
Transitioning to the False Bay side of the Peninsula, we visit the famous, but sadly dwindling, colony of African Penguins at Boulders Beach. Walking along the wooden boardwalks, we’ll get an up-close look at these charismatic birds in their natural habitat, nestled among ancient granite boulders and turquoise waters.
Red Hill Lookout and the Roman Rock Lighthouse
As the day winds down, we ascend to the Red Hill viewpoint for a spectacular, panoramic view of Simon’s Town, the naval dockyards, and the vast expanse of False Bay. From here, we can spot the isolated Roman Rock Lighthouse, the only one in the country built on a rock that is completely submerged at high tide.
Return to Accommodation/Dropoff Point
The journey concludes with a scenic drive back to your accomodation/dropoff Point as the late afternoon light hits the mountains. We’ll use this time to recap the day’s highlights and share some final information about South Africa’s lighthouses and their keepers, leaving you with a profound connection to the maritime soul of the Cape.
Practical Tour Details
Pickup and Logistics
- Pickup Time: 08:00 start from your accommodation or other pre-arranged point
- Pickup Area: Cape Town CBD (within 5km of Signal Hill)
Safety First
- Tours are subject to weather conditions and coastal authority access – see cancellation policy in your quote/invoice
- Climbing lighthouses and walking the paths of the Cape Peninsula require a reasonable level of fitness and appropriate shoes
- Cape weather can be unpredictable; choose/bring clothing accordingly
- Bring your own water or other preferred form of hydration (no alcoholic beverages allowed)
What is Included
- Entrance fees to lighthouses, the Cape Peninsula nature reserve, and the Boulders Penguin Colony
- Picnic lunch
What is not Included
- Entrance fees to the funicular at Cape Point
- Any optional, additional activities that might be offered or available
- Souvenirs etc.
Pricing
SUV Option
1 Person – R
Party of 2 – R
Party of 3 – R
Party of 4 – R
Van Option
Party of 4 – R
Party of 5 – R
Party of 6 – R
Party of 7 – R
- NB: For 4 persons, you can choose the cheaper SUV option or the more spacious van option
- Please contact us via email or WhatsApp if you are interested in booking groups larger than 7 persons
- Final pricing will be confirmed via email
Photo Gallery
