CULTURE
Mossel Bay
But here’ s the part that turns lighthouses from curiosities into bucket-list sleepovers. Some have keeper’ s cottages you can book; others sit next to towns with B & Bs that make sunrise strolls easy. Whether you’ re a lighthouse fan or just seeking some of the beaten track adventure, here are a few cool beacons to visit:
Cape Columbine( Paternoster): The last manned leading light in SA, you can actually rent the keeper’ s cottages here if you’ re planning to stay over. Danger Point( Gansbaai): Killer views, wild seas, and overnight stays Great Fish Point( Port Alfred): Cottages right there on the grounds Cape St Blaize( Mossel Bay): On-site stays plus whales playing offshore Seal Point( Cape St Francis): South Africa’ s tallest masonry lighthouse, and yes, you can stay in the keeper’ s quarters. One guest gushed:“ What can we say … what an experience!!! Incredibly beautiful location next to the crashing wild ocean, a stunning, clean interior with everything thought of, including fresh sourdough bread, a stocked fridge and a wonderful sundowner served at the very top of the tower!”
They stand for guidance, protection resilience, and the kind of solitude that makes you want to write poetry … or at least an Insta caption.
Five road trips for lighthouse lovers
1. In Gqeberha, the Donkin Lighthouse( 1861) stands on a hilltop in the Donkin Reserve, overlooking the harbour and beachfront. It is an unusual urban stop for lighthouse fans, with sweeping bay views and the Route 67 art trail right on its doorstep.
2. In East London, the Hood Point Lighthouse( 1895) keeps watch over Nahoon Reef. Sleep in coastal guesthouses, paddle out to where dolphins surf the waves, and add a cast-iron tower to your road-trip photo reel.
3. The Dassen Island Lighthouse( 1893) still has staff on duty and a raw, isolated feel. Base yourself in Yzerfontein, then boat across for penguins, seabirds and a lighthouse most South Africans don’ t even know exists.
4. The Umhlanga Rocks Lighthouse( 1954) is an easy walk from the Radisson Blu Hotel, where guests can enjoy the same ocean views this red-and-white landmark has watched over for decades.
5. Near Port Edward, the North Sand Bluff Lighthouse( 1968) is the baby of the family. Spend the night in local B & Bs, tick off the youngest light on the list, and enjoy warm-water swims on the lower South Coast.
Why stop? Because lighthouses are more than concrete towers with lightbulbs. They’ re mood, history, metaphor and a bit of spy movie magic all rolled into one. And if you can say you’ ve slept under the beam of one of them, that’ s adventure travel gold.
64 | SUMMER 2025 / 26 • rovesa. co. za