Cape Agulhas, South Africa
The rocky headland of Cape Agulhas is the place where two great oceans – the Indian and Atlantic – meet. It’s also the spot at which to have one’s photo taken at the official southernmost tip of Africa, where there is a stone plaque that marks the place – right on the beach.
The plaque forms part of a wooden boardwalk that is easy to stroll and which offers incredible views over the crashing seas. Confusingly, the point at which the Agulhas current meets the Benguela current tends to fluctuate seasonally between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. But the official meeting place, decided by the International Hydrographical Organisation, is unquestionably Cape Agulhas – lest there be contention amongst your party.
Most visitors though consider the beautiful, historic red and white Cape Agulhas Lighthouse as the icon that denotes the tip of Africa. Certainly it’s worth climbing to the top, even if you’re intimidated by the wooden flights of steps that are little more than ladders in parts, or frightened of heights.
Epic South Africa Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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