Danger Point Lighthouse, Gansbaai, Western Cape

The Danger Point Lighthouse is about 9 kilometres from the village of Gansbaai. It stands over the rock named Danger Point, on the southern point of Walker Bay. A ship known as the HMT Birkenhead struck a rock in these waters in 1852, and the lighthouse was erected in 1895. People must surely have wondered why it took 40 years after a serious shipwreck to build a lighthouse. You can actually see the rock the ship struck from the lighthouse.

There are steps leading to the top of the lighthouse, and you can just imagine that the views are spectacular. There is also a memorial plaque on one of the walls of the lighthouse as a reminder of this 1852 shipwreck. There are remnants of several shipwrecks lying below the lighthouse. It’s a white octagonal tower with a red lantern dome. It stands 18.3 metres tall, with a revolving electric light that flashes three times every 40 seconds.

Today, it is a working lighthouse, but you should find out first if it is open to the public before you drive there for nothing.

The Danger Point Lighthouse is generally closed to the public on normal weekdays. Apparently, it does open on certain scheduled weekends and holiday periods.

It says that the Danger Point Lighthouse offers on-site overnight accommodation in the historic keeper’s quarters, but we couldn’t find information on this particular accommodation. However, whether you’re looking for cool family accommodation, couple’s accommodation, or something that can ensure a romantic getaway, there are plenty of options close by in Gansbaai and you can take a look at these two in the meantime – Lighthouse Villa and the more affordable and unusual Platbos Forest Cabins.