Cape St Blaize Lighthouse
2 Montagu St, Mossel Bay, 6500, South Africa
Name and Location
Cape St Blaize Lighthouse is a 19th-century navigational beacon located in Mossel Bay, South Africa's Garden Route. The address is 2 Montagu Street, Mossel Bay, 6500, Western Cape, South Africa. The coordinates are -34.1861121, 22.1563732.
Construction and History
The lighthouse was constructed in 1864 to warn vessels of nearby reefs and guide them safely into the bay's natural harbor. It was originally fully manned by appointed lighthouse keepers until it was automated in the late 20th century. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is the current managing authority.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse is a single-storey building with an attached cylindrical tower. The construction materials are not explicitly recorded, but it likely features local stone or brick with a whitewashed exterior.
Light and Navigation
The light characteristic of the lighthouse is not available in public records. For technical details, interested researchers should consult SAMSA archives or the Western Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority.
Accessibility and Visiting
The site is unfenced and free to visit, but interior access to the tower is generally not permitted. Visitors can reach it via a short coastal walk or by driving to Montagu Street and proceeding on foot along a trail.
Notable Views and Landscape
The lighthouse sits near the start of the St Blaize Hiking Trail, offering scenic cliff-top views. The nearby Pinnacle Point Golf Course and Diaz Museum Complex are also worth visiting.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No anecdotes or folklore available at this time.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is currently active and automatically monitored by SAMSA. Nautical charts feature it as numbered 3330 (South African Hydrographic Office). There is no dedicated shore-side radar installation, with vessels relying on onboard AIS and charted ranges.
Further Information
For more information, please visit the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) website or consult public records held by the Western Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority.
Details
Name | Cape St Blaize Lighthouse |
---|---|
City | Mossel Bay |
Country | South Africa |
Coordinates | -34.1861121, 22.1563732 |
Year of construction | 1864 |
Events | staffing records survive in the South African National Archives |
Historic significance | navigational beacon marking the approaches to Mossel Bay |
Stories | shipwrecks or rescues |
Architectural style | single-storey building with attached cylindrical tower |
Renovations | automation in the late 20th century |
Access description | coastal walk or driving to Montagu Street |
Accessible | true |
Landscape type | rocky coast |
View description | scenic cliff-top path with viewpoints |
Nearby attractions | ["St Blaize Hiking Trail","Pinnacle Point Golf Course","Diaz Museum Complex"] |
AIS Radar | false |
Automated | true |