Southernmost Tip of Africa

L’Agulhas, the southernmost town in Africa, is located in the Western Cape just north of Cape Agulhas.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa


The cape was named by Portuguese explorers who called it Cabo das Agulhas — “Cape of Needles” — after noticing that their compass readings showed no deviation from true north and magnetic north.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

The Southernmost Tip of Africa has been on my list of need-to-dos for quite sometime now.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

I needed to stand on the southern tip of the African continent and see where two oceans collide.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

And in October 2015, my 6th visit to South Africa, I did!

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

Getting there is easy, however you may need to drive along a few dirt roads on your journey.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

This is completely normal so don’t worry that you might be going in the wrong direction.

As you drive into town you’ll see Cape Agulhas Lighthouse in the distance.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

Cape Agulhas Lighthouse is the icon that symbolizes the tip of Africa.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

The parking lot is at the base of the lighthouse.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

A boardwalk connects the lighthouse to the Southernmost Tip of Africa:

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

It’s an easy 1 kilometer walk.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

Along the way you’ll see many locals fishing:

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

And waves crashing against colorful rocks.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

We were there on a Sunday afternoon and feared we’d have to fight the crowds, but there were only about 10 of us there and everyone kindly took turns taking photos.

Needless to say I was overjoyed when it was my turn:

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

I couldn’t help myself . . . I had to hop up there.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

The Southernmost Tip of Africa with the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Indian Ocean on the east.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

The thought of this still excites me.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

The drive from Cape Town will take about 2 1/2 hours, but L’Agulhas can also be easily reached from South Africa’s famous Cape Whale Route.

Please put this on your list of need-to-dos.

Cape Agulhas, Southernmost Tip of Africa

You will be so happy you did!

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