Cape Point: where two oceans meet?

Cape Point: where two oceans meet?

Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope are iconic geographical features, but are they really where two of the world's oceans converge?

It's a fantastic advertising slogan, isn't it? The point at which two great oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, collide in powerful, striking drama. It's also very convenient that this colossal spectacle takes place just an hour's drive from one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Unfortunately, this bold claim made by countless tour operators in South Africa is not entirely true.

What's the point'?

Cape Point is actually made up of three headlands: the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Maclear and Cape Point itself. Dramatically located on the southern tip of the African continent, the peninsula is the stuff of legends.

Cape Point, along with Cape Horn in Chile and Cape Leeuwin in Australia, is one of the three “Great Capes” that sailors must pass to circumnavigate the world. Sailing legends such as Da Gama, Magellan, Cook and Slocum have made a name for themselves around the dangerous Cape Point.

alt="View from the Cape of Good Hope">Atlas & BootsView along the coast from the Cape of Good Hope

Cape Point - or rather the Cape of Good Hope, 2.3 km away and slightly to the northwest - marks the point at which a ship rounding the headland of southern Africa begins to head more east than south.

However, Cape Point is neither the southernmost point of Africa nor the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This is closer to Cape Agulhas, which is about 150 km east-southeast of Cape Point.

Unfortunately, Cape Agulhas benefits neither from its location (it takes about three hours to reach from Cape Town), its fame (it sees a fraction of the visitors that Cape Point welcomes) nor its spectacle (it may be rugged and windswept, but it is not breathtaking). ).

It's all rather confusing, but regardless of their nautical significance, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope make a lovely day trip from Cape Town. The Capes are a spectacular sight with towering rocky cliffs above crashing waves, surrounded by rolling green hills and rugged cliffs.

Visit to Cape Point

The Capes are located in a 77 km2 section of Table Mountain National Park and, in addition to the wild and expansive landscape, offer a number of attractions, hiking trails and viewpoints worth exploring.

The area is a popular stopover for visitors to Cape Town, so expect crowds. Still, it was possible to escape the crowds and find a corner of peace. You just have to stretch your legs to find it.

alt="The Old Lighthouse at Cape Point">Atlas & BootsThe old lighthouse at Cape Point

We hiked to the old lighthouse (1km/20 minutes) at the top of the Cape Point promontory (238m), which was in operation from 1860 to 1919. It was replaced in 1919 because it was built too high and was therefore often obscured by fog and mist. From here we hiked the trails surrounding the landmark, taking photos and watching the sea (should it be oceans?) toward Antarctica, about 4,000 km south.

If you're feeling really lazy, the Flying Dutchman funicular runs next to the restaurant all the way down to the old lighthouse. Another great short hike is the 3.5km trail from Buffels Bay to the impressive Paulsberg Peak.

If you have time, the Cape of Good Hope Trail is a beautiful 21-mile loop through the reserve. The hike is completed over two days with an overnight stay in the basic Erica, Protea and Restio huts on the north side of Da Gama Peak.

After Cape Point we continued to the Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern point in Africa. It was worth taking our photo next to the famous sign before climbing up the short Cape of Good Hope Scenic Walk (15 minutes) for even more epic coastal views.

alt="Peter Cape of Good Hope sign near Cape Point">Atlas & BootsThe Cape of Good Hope is the most southwestern point in Africa

Here, on top of a rocky crop, we surprisingly found solace. Apparently most tourists prefer not to climb to the viewpoint. We sat at the top of the cliffs and enjoyed the sweeping views of one of the most dramatic coastlines we have ever seen.

We combined our day with a visit to the Boulders Penguin Colony, so after about half an hour we returned to the car park and met our diver for the return journey to Cape Town via Simon's Town.

On the famous 1577-1580 circumnavigation, Sir Francis Drake described Cape Point as “a most stately thing, and the most beautiful cape we have ever seen in the whole world.”

We didn't cover quite the same distance as Sir Francis and we didn't see as many capes, but I think he was on to something.

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Sightseeing features

• Alter Leuchtturm am Cape Point
• Neuer Leuchtturm am Dias Point (Cape Point)
• Buffelsfontein Besucherzentrum
• Zwei Ozeane Restaurant
• Fliegende Holländer Standseilbahn
• Kap der Guten Hoffnung und malerischer Spaziergang
• Platboom-Strand
• Bordjiesrif (Strand und Picknickplatz)
• Buffels Bay (Gezeitenbecken zum sicheren Schwimmen)
• Maclear-Strand
• Diaz-Strand
• Wanderweg am Kap der Guten Hoffnung

Cape Point: the essentials

What: Visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.

Where: We stayed at The Grand Daddy, a boutique hotel on Long Street, a 15-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront. The hotel is elegant with decidedly quirky touches: the reception is made from old suitcases, the roof has seven artfully renovated Airstream trailers, and the elevator is said to be the oldest still in use in Cape Town.

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The grandfather

The on-site restaurant serves a great breakfast and the nearby Bombay Brasserie offers excellent fine dining at a reasonable price. The Grand Daddy is a great base, but note that the room on the "standard" floor has no natural daylight. We were moved upon request (after some wrangling with a receptionist). Book a “superior” or “luxury” room to avoid this.

When: The best time to visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope is the warm summer months from November to April. Temperatures are highest between December and February and this is also the busiest time. Arrive at opening time or an hour before closing time to beat the crowds.

If you're combining Cape Town with a safari, keep in mind that game viewing is best in the dry winter (May-October), as animals congregate around waterholes and the lack of vegetation offers guests a clearer view. In spring (November to December) you can see many newborns.

How: The Capes are part of Table Mountain National Park and have seasonal opening times.

• April–September: 07:00–17:00 Uhr
• Okt-März: 06:00-18:00

For more information, visit the official website, which also includes information about the Boulders Penguin Colony and other area attractions.

Visitors must pay a conservation fee of ZAR 303 per person (approximately USD 20). Further information and contact details can be found in the current tariffs.

We hired a taxi from our hotel reception for the day ($70, which included a trip to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point and Boulders Penguin Colony). Be sure to agree on the daily rate and working hours with the driver in advance. You will also need to pay for your driver to enter the park (76 ZAR / 5 USD for a South African resident). If you are driving, arrive early to ensure you can find parking.

You can also visit Cape Point with City Sightseeing's Cape Point & Penguin Explorer Tour. We organized logistics during our visit using a travel SIM that works in numerous countries with a single card and phone number.

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Lonely Planet South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland is a comprehensive travel guide to South Africa, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

Mission statement: HandmadePictures/Shutterstock

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