Cape Agulhas is located at the southernmost tip of Africa, which is the official point that divides the Indian and Atlantic Oceans in South Africa. This stretch of coastline is known as the "Graveyard of Ships" as there have been many wrecks due to the gale force winds, high swells and treacherous coastline. The coastline curves gradually and has a beach that is very rocky. The L'Agulhas lighthouse has the distinction of being the second oldest lighthouse in South Africa. Built in 1849, the lighthouse was built to resemble the Egyptian Pharos-style lighthouse in Alexandria. One can climb the 71 steps to the top of the lighthouse to see the magnificent view of the area. The southernmost tip is 1km west of the lighthouse. Cape Agulhas includes the small towns of Bredasdorp, Arniston, L'Agulhas, Elim, Napier and Struisbaai. Our recommended Cape Agulhas self catering accommodation establishments can be viewed here.

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The Cape Agulhas Area has a Mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. The average day in summer has 14 hours of sunshine. The waters near the coast are quite shallow and are the best fishing grounds in South Africa. It is called the "Agulhas Bank" and is less than 100 metres in depth. Only after 250 kilometres out to sea does it drop steeply.

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Ecologically, the South Western Cape Coastal area is famous for it's Fynbos, which is the name of the natural vegetation that occurs there. This relatively small area is the home of more than 8500 fynbos varieties of which more than 6000 are found no where else in the world and although the area is small, it is the richest of the six floral kingdoms making it internationally renowned especially amoungst ecological conservationists. The best known fynbos species are the Proteas (national flower of South Africa) and the Ericas and the best time to view the fynbos is from Autumn to Spring when most species are flowering.

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Legend has it that many years ago, the sole survivor of a shipwreck, a beautiful young woman washed up on the shore. She made her way to a cave in the mountains and later died there. Her spirit is not at rest and she still visits the area from time to time. Another ghost story is of a man decapitated in an accident whose headless corpse has also been seen wondering around the Spookdraai area.