Danger Point Lighthouse in Gans Bay & vicinity, Western Cape
The Danger Point Lighthouse lies close to Gansbaai along the treacherous Southern Cape Coastline. The Lighthouse has been warning sailors off these rocks since 1895 and today has become a tourist stop for many travelling through the Overberg area. It is one of the few still manned lighthouses in the country and being over 60 years old is no regarded as a National Heritage.
Candlepower | 1 700 000 C.D. |
---|---|
Character of Light | Three flashes every 40 seconds |
Installation Date | 01 January 1895 |
Range | 24 sea miles |
Structure | Octagonal white painted masonry tower |
Type of Light | Revolving electric |
Other features | Electrical fog signal with fog detector, radio beacon and one standby diesel/alternator set |
Forty three years before the lighthouse was constructed the HMS Birkenhead, carrying troops and their families to Port Elizabeth, hit a rock just off the coast of Danger Point. The shipwreck took the lives of over 440, but all women and children were brought to shore safely. The lighthouse now stands as a warning to all mariners of the dangerous reefs that lie in that area.
Myth has it that the Flying Dutchmen was spotted for the very first time from Danger Point and it is thought that the remains of at least seven other ships lie at the bottom of the reef at Danger Point.
Accommodation
The Danger Point Lighthouse provides self-catering accommodation and has a 2 bedroom cottage called Gale Force. The cottage can sleep 4 people and costing for the whole unit per night is between R580 and R820, depending on the time of year. The Gale Force cottage offers wonderful views of the ocean and the peninsular.
Things to do and see
- Lighthouse Tours
- Birkenhead Memorial
- Shark cage Diving (Gansbaai)
- Curios & Memorabilia on Sale
- Self-catering accommodation
Admission
Entrance fees are approximately, Adult R14 and children R7. Prices are subject to change, please contact the tourism office directly to confirm all prices.
Website : Transnet National Ports Authority
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