L'Agulhas (original) (raw)
L�Agulhas or Agulas - The biggest draw card for Agulhas, other than the fact that it lies only two hours from Cape Town on one of the most beautiful coasts in the country, is that this little village lies on Cape Agulhas, the end of the African continent and the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The gorgeous catered and self-catering accommodation in L�Agulhas makes it the perfect spot from which to explore South Africa�s Cape Overberg.
Many a disappointed traveller has ventured all the way to Cape Point only to discover that to reach the tip of Africa requires travelling yet further south. And for those who would argue, the International Hydrographic Organisation has determined that this is indeed the official confluence of the two mighty oceans. Discovered by the Portuguese as early as the end of the 15th century, the southern- most tip was originally called �Cabo das Agulhas� (Cape of Needles) either because compass needles show no variation between true north and magnetic north at the cape or because of the sharp, saw-edged rock formations responsible for some of the worst shipwrecks on the coast.
The Agulhas bank is shallow and extends for 80 km from the coast, which explains the propensity for ships to run aground on the rocks and today provides one of the world�s most fertile commercial fishing grounds. Ancient fish traps, called �vywers� are still maintained and used on the eastern side of the cape. They function as low dams where fish become stranded at low tide.
This beautiful and rugged tip of Africa has been proclaimed a National Park (See Agulhas National Park) and supports a diverse intertidal and marine life as well as serving as a breeding ground for the endangered African black oystercatcher. The famous red and white Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, the 3rd to be built on the South African coast, in 1840, is a design based on the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Restored in 1968, after being declared unsafe, the lighthouse is today a National Monument with its own museum.
Walks and hiking trails in the area abound and include journeys through limestone fynbos, unique to the area, and a walk along the uninterrupted sandy beach of Struisbaai, which provides over 14 km of shoreline and some unique examples of shells for your collection. Although the coast here is shallow and rocky, there are several tidal swimming pools set amongst the rocks - ideal for holiday makers.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified reviewvery good
I didn't stay here but popped through on a visit to the southern most tip of Africa - it looks like a lovely town and it was an easy drive to get there. I'd certainly like to go back and stay a bit longer.
Lindsay (Maryland, USA)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
High Level Self Catering
High Level Self Catering holiday apartments in L'Agulhas sleep between two and five guests. All units have a private bathroom, a seating / dining...
Guest House
Agulhas Ocean House
Agulhas Ocean House is located at the entrance to Agulhas and looks over glorious, unobstructed seascapes. From May through to November guests ca...
Guest House
Cape Agulhas Guest House
Cape Agulhas Guest House offers bed & breakfast accommodation in L'Agulhas, just a two minute walk from the sea. There is a fully licensed bar an...
Self Catering
Agulhas Seabreeze
Kick back and relax in this calm, stylish space. Agulhas Seabreeze holiday apartment in Agulhas is near the most Southern tip of Africa. Private,...
Self Catering
House of 2 Oceans
Situated in the quaint village of Agulhas, House of 2 Oceans offers self catering accommodation near the beach. Relax on your private balcony and...
Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
South Point Self Catering & B&B
Situated 200 metres from the gates to the Agulhas National Park and the historic Lighthouse in the picturesque town of L'Agulhas, South Point off...
Hotel
Agulhas Country Lodge
Agulhas Country Lodge is built from local limestone and blends beautifully into a hill overlooking the spectacular oceans. All rooms have sea vie...
Self Catering
Casa Leve Leve
Indulge in opulence at this holiday home nestled in the serene embrace of the natural reserve near South Africa's southernmost tip. Behold the vi...
Bed & Breakfast
Beachcombers B&B
Beachcombers B&B is a home away from home, situated in the tranquil town of L'Agulhas at the southernmost tip of Africa. Beachcombers B&B has fou...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
4 On Hoffman Seaview
Set just 100m from the sea, 4 On Hoffman Seaview Guest House offers a relaxing beach getaway with comfortable accommodation in L'Agulhas. The gue...
Self Catering
Soutbos & Janfrederik Self Catering
Soutbos & Janfrederik Self Catering offers accommodation in two self catering units situated in the town of L'Agulhas. It is perfect for a family...
Hotel
Things to do in the area
Cruises
Awesome Charters
Experience angling at the southern most tip of Africa with Awesome Charters, a saltwater fishing charter, based in Struisbaai. Based in the Strui...
Lighthouses
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse has stood for over 150 years as a maritime chaperone over the notorious 'Cape of Storms', at the most southern tip of...
Lighthouses
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum was opened in 1994 and is the only one of its kind that is found in Africa. The museum is a wonderful historic...
Lighthouses
Quoin Point Lighthouse
There is a rather menacing peninsula or promontory that lies between Danger Point and Cape Agulhas, known as Quoin Point. It forms the outer east...
Wine Tours & Tasting
Wine Boutique L'Agulhas
Anyone visiting L'Agulhas who loves wine should stop at the Wine Boutique when stocking up for the weekend.There are daily tastings with wine sal...
Beaches & Pools
Agulhas Beach
Frolic in the shallow waves where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet or better yet see what sea creatures you can identify in the abundant rock ...
Beaches & Pools
Suiderstrand Beach
Suiderstrand � literally meaning Southern Beach (translated from Afrikaans) is completely surrounded by the Agulhas National Park, which as you c...
Hiking Trails
Spookdraai Hiking Trail
There is no secret behind the name of this hiking trail at Cape Agulhas. There have been so many shipwrecks along this coastline that even if you...
Hiking Trails
Rasperpunt Hiking Trail
More commonly known as the Agulhas walking trail, because it takes place within the Agulhas National Park, the Rasperpunt hike begins just west o...
Noteworthy attractions
Landmarks
Agulhas National Park
Lying in what is known as the Agulhas Plain at the southernmost tip of Africa is the Agulhas National Park, just 45 kilometres from the popular v...
Nature Reserves
De Hoop Nature Reserve
The De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately 34 000 ha in size and one of the largest natural areas managed by Cape Nature Conservation. It is a f...
Wine Routes
Cape Agulhas Wine Route
Elim is something of a phenomenon as its unique �terroir� has caused much excitement in the wine community worldwide. The cool and strong winds t...
Nature Reserves
Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve
Formerly known as Waenhuiskrans until a ship by the name of Arniston was wrecked here, the village is a much sought after holiday residence becau...
Activities
The Whale Coast Route
The Whale Route begins in Cape Town and follows the particularly pretty R44, also known as Clarence Drive, through the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserv...
Popular Tourist Routes
Tip of Africa Route
Based on the Overberg Tourism map, the Tip of Africa Route starts in Cape Town, where you take the N2 via Grabouw and Caledon to the pretty town ...
Landmarks
Waenhuiskrans Cave
Waenhuiskrans (wagon house cliff) is the highlight of a visit to Waenhuiskrans Nature Reserve in Arniston. What makes the Waenhuiskrans Cave so e...
Wine Estates
Cape Agulhas Wine Estates
The official wine route of Cape Agulhas transports tourists to a charming part of the country and includes the area of Montagu. Although this is ...
Nature Reserves
De Mond Nature Reserve
As its name suggests De Mond Nature Reserve lies at a river mouth � the Heuningnes River - in the curve of a natural bay, almost halfway between ...
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