A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses which serve as a beacon and navigational aid for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Are lighthouses still necessary in today’s modern world?
The advent of GPS and other modern navigational equipment has, to a very large extent, reduced the need for lighthouses. But this technology can and does sometimes fail; computers can crash, solar activity can have an effect on accuracy, and global positioning systems can be purposefully manipulated during times of war. If lighthouses were not still needed as a visual aid for navigation, governments around the world would turn them off, saving a lot of money in the process. Most mariners still use lighthouses as a backup to their electronic equipment, similar to the way in which a driver on land would still read road signs whilst using a GPS.
Do all lighthouses have a unique design and color scheme?
The design and color scheme of a lighthouse is referred to as its daymark, and these characteristics are used to identify a specific lighthouse during daylight hours. Although there is no absolute requirement for the daymark to be completely unique, this is in fact the case in South Africa. Some of the lighthouses do appear to be similar to others, but there are always subtle differences.
Are all lighthouses required to have a unique flash pattern?
Most lighthouses rhythmically flash or eclipse their lights to provide an identification signal when it is dark. This particular pattern of flashes or eclipses is known as the characteristic, and the interval at which it repeats itself is called the period. Often the same characteristic and period are used for different lighthouses, but never within the same geographical area.
Who looks after the lighthouses in South Africa?
Lighthouse and Navigational Systems (LNS) is a business unit of Transnet National Ports Authority within the portfolio of the Chief Harbor Master. LNS is mandated by the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 to provide, operate and maintain lighthouses and other marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) along South Africa’s coastline.
How many lighthouses are there in South Africa?
Most official sources (including the Transnet National Ports Authority) list the total number of operational lighthouses in South Africa as 45. There are, however, another 7 lighthouses which can also be included:-
Decommissioned lighthouses:-
Cape Point (Old)
Durban Bluff
Mouille Point
The Hill
Other operational lighthouses:-
Nahoon Point
Simon’s Town Dockyard
Stompneuspunt
All 52 lighthouses are detailed on this website.
Which lighthouse towers in South Africa are open to visitors?
This is a very difficult question to answer, because some of the lighthouses are opened and closed at short notice, or temporarily opened to the public for short periods or by special permission. But there are 8 lighthouse towers which are usually open to visitors:-
Cape Agulhas
Cape Columbine
Cape St. Blaize
Cape St. Francis
Danger Point
Great Fish Point
Green Point (Cape Town)
Slangkop Point
Opening and closing times vary (there are also sometimes seasonal variations), so it is always best to check first to avoid disappointment.
Even if a lighthouse tower is closed to visitors, is it still possible to view the lighthouse from the exterior?
It is possible to access most of the lighthouses in South Africa. Some of them are situated in fairly remote locations, and will require the use of a 4x4 and/or a long hike. The most difficult lighthouses to get to are:-
Bird Island: Visitors are not allowed to land on Bird Island without a permit.
Cape Point (New): Although this site is not open to the public, it is possible to hike to a lookout point approximately 200 meters from the lighthouse which provides a good view.
Dassen Island: Visitors are not allowed to land on Dassen Island without a permit.
Roman Rock: It is not possible to land on the lighthouse itself, but good views can be obtained from the shore.
Saldanha Bay North Head: Located on Defense Force property.
Saldanha Bay South Head: Located on Defense Force property.
Simon’s Town Dockyard: Located on Defense Force property, but good views can be obtained from the shore.
Please read the “Access Notes” section on each lighthouse page for more information.
Are there any lighthouses in South Africa which offer accommodation?
There are 5 lighthouses in South Africa which offer onsite accommodation:-
Cape Columbine: 3 cottages which can sleep a total of 14 persons
Cape St. Blaize: 1 cottage which can sleep a total of 6 persons
Cape St. Francis: 2 cottages which can sleep a total of 4 persons
Danger Point: 1 cottage which can sleep a total of 6 persons
Great Fish Point: 2 cottages which can sleep a total of 12 persons
Accommodation at Cape St. Francis can be booked TBC. Accommodation at the other 4 lighthouses can be booked here.
Which is the oldest lighthouse in South Africa?
The first formal lighthouse to be built in South Africa was Green Point Lighthouse, in Cape Town. It was commissioned on the 12th of April 1824.
Which of South Africa’s lighthouses have been declared as National Monuments?
There are 3 lighthouses in South Africa which have been declared as National Monuments:-
Cape Agulhas
Cape St. Francis
Green Point
How many lighthouses in South Africa are still manned by a permanent lighthouse keeper?
There are 9 lighthouses which are still permanently manned:-