Cape Seal Lighthouse
VCR4+V9 Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Name and Location
The Cape Seal Lighthouse is located at VCR4+V9, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
Construction and History
The Cape Seal Lighthouse was constructed in 1895 during the golden age of maritime exploration and trade. Its location at the entrance to Plettenberg Bay made it a crucial landmark for ships navigating the region's notorious coastline.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse's architecture is characteristic of its era, with a traditional lantern room housing a first-order Fresnel lens. The tower is built from sturdy concrete and reinforced steel, ensuring its stability against the harsh coastal weather conditions.
Light and Navigation
The Cape Seal Lighthouse features a unique light characteristic: Fl (3) W 15s. This means that the lighthouse emits three white flashes every 15 seconds, providing a distinct visual signal for mariners to spot from a distance of approximately 15 nautical miles.
Accessibility and Visiting
Although no longer in operation as a functioning lighthouse, the Cape Seal Lighthouse has been converted into a museum and tourist attraction. Visitors can access the site through guided tours, offering a glimpse into its rich history and the lives of former lighthouse keepers.
Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse is situated within the Garden Route District Municipality, a region renowned for its stunning natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of Plettenberg Bay's coastline, as well as explore the surrounding forests, beaches, and wildlife reserves.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No anecdotes or folklore available at this time.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse stands 143 feet tall, with a light height of approximately 15 nautical miles. Its light characteristic is Fl (3) W 15s, providing a visual signal for mariners to spot from a distance.
Further Information
- * United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (US NGA Pub.) - 112
- * Wikipedia article: "af:Cape Seal-vuurtoring"
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Sea_Light">Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Sea_Light
Details
| Name | Cape Seal Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Plettenberg Bay |
| Country | South Africa |
| Coordinates | -34.1077918, 23.4058795 |
| Year of construction | 1895 |
| Events | Shipwrecks, rescues |
| Historic significance | Maritime history and navigation |
| Stories | Myths, legends |
| Construction material | "Concrete and reinforced steel" |
| Tower height | 143 |
| Heritage status | true |
| Renovations | Converted to a museum and tourist attraction |
| Access description | Guided tours |
| Accessible | true |
| Landscape type | Coastal |
| View description | Scenic views of Plettenberg Bay's coastline, surrounding forests, beaches, and wildlife reserves |
| Guided tours | true |
| Facilities | Toilets, Café, Gift shop |
| Opening hours | Guided tours |
| Nearby attractions | ["Garden Route District Municipality"] |
| Light characteristic | "Fl (3) W 15s" |
| Light range | 15 |
| Automated | false |