The last lighthouse in our mini blog series, the remote Cape Hangklip, is on the eastern entrance to False Bay and stands watch from its spot between indigenous Fynbos and powdery beach sand.
It is set on the picturesque Cape Whale Coast next to Skuitbaai in Hangklip, between Pringle Bay and Rooi Els about 1 and half hours drive from Cape Town.
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It is only accessible by foot and the pet-friendly walk takes about 15 minutes, group excursions to the site are recommended due to the isolated location.
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The Hangklip lighthouse is the twin of the lighthouse at Milnerton, but in a far more arresting setting.
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Apparently maintenance staff occasionally see leopard footprints in the area around the lighthouse – testimony to its remoteness.
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Built in only 6 days this 22 metre concrete cylindrical white tower with a black band and red lantern house has been keeping sailors, seafarers and fisherman safe since 25 November 1960.
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This beacon was built by means of the moving form shuttering principle and is powered by a triple diesel mutual alternator.
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The shining optic shoots a revolving electric light across the Atlantic Ocean every 10 seconds and is visible for 25 nautical miles at a focal plane of 34 meters.
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It emits a candle power of 800 000 CD across the waters yet looks like nothing more than a white candle sunk into the sand to create a romantic glow in the breeding ground of the Southern Right Whale.
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The lighthouse is now unmanned, in 1986 a telemetry system was installed allowing the lighthouse to be monitored from Cape Point.
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Cape Hangklip Lighthouse is not open to the public.
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Location:- Hangklip Rd, Pringle Bay – Coordinates 34.3541° S, 18.8197° EnnPhoto by Jay Caboz Photography