Cape Agulhas: Africa's Southernmost PointThe rugged coast and legendary waves of Cape Agulhas, said to have reached at times to 30 m., terrified many ancient sailors.
It was no surprise that the Portuguese sailors called it Cabo das Agulhas, Cape of Needles. As many as 150 ships got wrecked here. There's not much in this place except the exhiliration of being right on the southernmost tip of the African continent and the dividing line between two oceans, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. That for me is truly remarkable.
Here's Cape Agulhas on the map.
Here's the marker for the dividing line between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
While the shores close to the marker for the southernmost tip of Africa is rugged, there are beaches in the surrounding villages where you can enjoy the waters. The Cape is also promoted as the best fishing ground in South Africa.
Key things to do in and around Cape AgulhasAside from the exhilarating feeling of being in the southernmost tip of Africa, I'm wrong to say there's not much here. For those who stayed longer in the place, there are many things to enjoy and occupy visitors. Here's a list:
There is a museum there today opened in 1994 which tells of the history of the Lighthouse and also of the old fishing practices in the area.
This lighthouse was constructed because of the number of ships destroyed in Cape Agulhas. Some of these early ships were:
The latest shipwreck to take place here and you still can see some of its remains was the Meisho Maru which took place on the 6th of November 1982. This video will show you the southernmost tip and the vicinity of Cape Agulhas with some of the wrecks scattered in the area.
For accommodations close by, here is a site that gives a comprehensive selection of the villages around Cape Agulhas:
Popular Towns in Cape Agulhas Articles on South Africa:
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