DAY TRIP TO L'AGULHAS
BEACH HOLIDAY HOME
Struisbaai · Cape Agulhas
L'Agulhas is a small and quaint village that attracts a surprisingly large number of tourists, given its size. You'll understand the popularity of the town though, when you visit the unique sites and discover the beauty of the natural landscape along the coast. The town is home to the second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa, along with noteworthy monuments located at the Southernmost Point of Africa, all within a short drive from Cape Creek Cottage.
A PERFECT DAY IN L'AGULHAS
Explore the town and coast of L'Agulhas
Getting there
The small village of L'Agulhas is a 10 minute drive from Cape Creek Cottage in Struisbaai. Long the way, you can take in the beautiful coastline and stop for photos of a stunning sea view at the L'Agulhas town name marker. Driving through the town, you'll see various restaurants on either side of the main road, before arriving at the large lighthouse on the far end of town. Just before reaching the lighthouse, you can stop at the Agulhas National Park reception to grab a few maps of the local trails and brochures on activities in the area.
Breakfast
Just before reaching the lighthouse, Suidpunt Potpourri's restaurant and shop is located on your left, with plenty of parking space on the right side of the road. Their coffee shop serves mouth-watering breakfasts, lunches, and desserts. Whether you are in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, their menu caters to all tastes. They also have a shop with a range of decor items, household goodies, jewellery, gifts, and much more. Suidpunt Potpourri is one of the few restaurants that is open from 8 am, and a great spot to enjoy a lovely breakfast.
Sightseeing
There are a variety of sites and attractions available in L'Agulhas, the most notable being the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located on the edge of town, and is quite hard to miss due to its size. We highly recommend visiting the lighthouse to browse its museum and ascend the stairs that take you to the top of the lighthouse. From there, you can take in a stunning view of the coast and snap some unique pics. Access to the top of the lighthouse costs R40 per person (price as on March 2023), and the view is well worth the climb. To access the lighthouse, you can park next to the gravel road below it and follow the wooden walkway up to the lighthouse on the hill. The entrance is at the non-ocean-facing side of the building.
​
From the lighthouse, make your way to the Southernmost Point of Africa, slightly further out of town. There is a lager sign pointing in the direction of the southernmost point parking area, from which you can walk to the stone cairn that marks the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. People from all over the world journey to this area to be the southernmost person standing in this significant location for just a moment in time, so you are likely to see other visitors who can point the way, if needed.
​
Near the stone marker indicating the southernmost point and meeting of the oceans, you’ll also find the Map of Africa monument. This huge, three-dimensional map of Africa features various African landmarks which can be identified on the map. The monument was build in 2019, to honour the continent's rich history and biodiversity. There is a nice boardwalk from the lighthouse and along the coast, incorporating the different monuments in the area. Spend some time exploring the area, as you're likely to see a few small animas and a variety of birds.
​
Drive further along the dirt road, away from town, until you spot a shipwreck on the coast. This is the wreck of the Meisho Maru, the final ship claimed by the treacherous Cape Agulhas coast. Less than half of the ship remains as wreck, due to the ocean breaking parts of the ship off as it weathers in the ocean, but a significant section is still clearly visible from the shore.
Activities
L'Agulhas offers a variety of activities, including hiking, bird watching, whale watching, gift shops, and an art gallery. Additionally, you can enter the Agulhas National Park to view animals, such as Bontebok, Zebras, Baboons, and many smaller species of wildlife and birds. The areas of the reserve that verge on the ocean offer great spots for land-based whale watching, during whale season. Two well-known hiking trails, the Two Oceans Trail and the Rasperpunt Trail, are located in the Agulhas National Park. Stop by the reception at 214 Main Road, near the lighthouse, to grab a map of the hiking trails. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, and the landscape is covered in fynbos. The Two Oceans trail starts at the Agulhas Rest Camp and makes a 10.5km loop along the coast and up to a lookout point with a breathtaking view of the ocean. You can cut the trail short, by opting for the 4.5km or 3km long alternative routes. The Rasperpunt Hiking Trail starts at the Meisho Maru shipwreck and maps a 5.5km loop past a variety of points of interest and through the stunning landscape of sand and fynbos. One of the most famous trails in the area, is the Spookdraai (ghost corner) hiking trail. Starting at the Spookdraai marker at the entrance to the town of L'Agulhas, the trail leads through winding streets and along the coast, taking in various historical landmarks in the area. The history of the trail is set in ghost stories, giving the trail an unique edge.
​
Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy the variety of home decor items and gifts available at Suidpunt Potpourri. Their restaurant serves delicious coffee and a range of breakfast and light lunch dishes. At the shop, you can find anything from ocean themed decor, hats, woven baskets, beautiful pillow covers and clothing, to unique crockery, candles, and spices. Nearby, also on Main Road, is the Southern Wright Art Gallery, which exhibits and sells artworks by local artists. Many of the pieces hero local landmarks such as the lighthouse, shipwrecks on the coast, fishermen’s cottages and boats, and the beach. While you're there, snap a photo at the Southernmost Liquor Shop in Africa.
Lunch
L'Agulhas has a range of restaurants to choose from. Crafty Pig, L'Agulhas Seafood, and Gavin's Trattiroa are all located on the main road through L'Agulhas. Crafty Pig is a classic pub, offering large portions of hearty meals in a lively pub atmosphere. Their friendly staff are always happy to serve up a cold beer to accompany their excellent food. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the great value provided by their high-quality offerings in both portion size and taste. The bar is fitted with a pool table and games machines to enjoy if you'd like to simply have a casual drink and a game. L'Agulhas Seafood is renowned for serving the finest fish, chips, and calamari around. Their seafood is always fresh, and also offer a variety of frozen seafood options. The local Italian pizzaria, Gavin's Trattiroa, serves mouth-watering Italian-style pizzas at their cozy, family-run restaurant. Their pizza bases are thin and freshly made, with a variety of topping options, and cooked in an authentic pizza oven. They also serve a variety of other dishes, including Durban spiced beef curry, mixed antipasto, pasta, seafood, eisbein, and steak.
Swimming
The L'Agulhas Tidal Pools are set on the ocean-front, and you can park on Skool Street. The pools have man-made, concrete walls with level floors, making them somewhat similar to a swimming pool on the ocean. The pools fill with water from the sea, and the walls block off the waves to offer a relaxing swim. The area and pools are open to the public, and there is a grass field and a couple of benches nearby where visitors and locals can sit down to enjoy a picnic. There is also a small kids' playground with swings and a slide nearby. Whether you're in the pool or sat on the grass, you'll be able to spot the lighthouse in the distance and enjoy stunning views of the coast.
Drinks
After a day of exploring the area, you might want to stop for a drink at Seagulls Pub & Grill. Their rooftop seating area provides great views and you can enjoy a selection of seafood dishes from their menu. Alternatively, Crafty Pig offers a traditional pub feel and friendly atmosphere. Here you can enjoy a cold beer and play a game or two of pool.