Cape Point, South Africa: Where Two Oceans Merge

Foreword: This is a long overdue post on my June 2009 trip to Cape Point, South Africa. You may click on each photograph to see its slightly larger version in another tab or window, depending on your browser.

As I stood on the viewing deck of the lighthouse, bracing myself against the bitter cold of the winter wind that threatened to sweep me away like a stray leaf, I gazed in silent awe at the varying shades of blue and emerald of the vast ocean stretched out in all directions before me. I watched the waves pound the small strip of white-sand beach beneath the cliffs and felt my breath catch in my throat. My eyes strained to see where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans merged but there was no clear dividing line — just an endless expanse of unfathomable ocean water.

And this is how I’ll always remember Cape Point, South Africa, the southwesternmost tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are supposed to meet and merge.

Notate Bene:

1. The actual location of the actual demarcation of the two oceans has been the continued source of debate. I shall not delve into that topic given my limited knowledge, but you can click on this link to read an article on the said argument.
2. My Muslim readers may find this meeting of the two oceans to be of particular interest due to the Qur’an mentioning such a phenomenon.

Cape Point is located within Cape of Good Hope National Park, some 65 kilometers southwest of Cape Town.

The entrance fee is 60 Rand for each adult, 10 Rand for each child below 12 years old (approximately US$7.80 and US$1.30, respectively).

Interestingly enough, dogs are specifically banned from entering the Cape of Good Hope.

To get a glimpse of the magnificent views of Cape Point, one must ascend via the funicular…

…cheekily named ‘The Flying Dutchman’.

‘The Flying Dutchman’ will take you to the Lighthouse-Keepers office building, which was built in 1860.

As the name suggests, it was originally the office for the lighthouse-keepers but it is now being used as an information centre.

From that point on, you must go up on foot in order to get to the lighthouse where the viewing deck is located.

Owing to the altitude as well as the cold, dry wind, you might want to stop several times to catch your breath. And when you do, don’t forget to look down and admire the beauty of the landscape below you.

These red flowers caught my eye as they provided a beautiful contrast to the monochromatic blue palette of the sea and sky.

Once you get to the lighthouse, you’ll find this signpost that shows the direction and approximate distances of major cities around the world.

I don’t recall seeing Kuala Lumpur among the cities but I did see Singapore, which is 9,667 km away. That would make KL some 10,000 km away then :)

This magnificent view of Cape Point remains one of my favourites and I’ve predictably converted it into a desktop wallpaper.

After having your fill of the sweeping panoramas of Cape Point — which is about the time you start to be numb with cold especially if you go there in wintertime, like I did — you then have to start your slow descent back to the Lighthouse-Keepers Office Building, where you can warm your frozen fingers with a cup of coffee, go to the toilet, or browse an extensive selection of souvenirs at the Curio Shop.

You can opt for the usual decorated ostrich eggs, fridge magnets, bookmarks, mugs, or t-shirts…

…or you can buy one of these certificates that attest to your having stood at the southwestern-most tip of South Africa. Or you can be a cheapskate money-savvy like me and just take a photograph of the certificate for you to electronically add your name later ;)

But seriously! With the photos that I’ve taken with my trusty Nikon DSLR, I have no need for any of these small souvenirs. All I need to do is gaze at the photos to be reminded of the mesmerizing beauty of Cape Point, South Africa.