Name and Location

Green Point Lighthouse is located in Mouille Point, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The address is 100 Beach Road, Nautica Building, Waterclub Complex, Mouille Point, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa.

Construction and History

The original stone lighthouse was commissioned on April 12, 1824, under Governor Sir Lowry Cole. In 1934-35, the current tower was erected to replace the ageing stone structure, using prefabricated cast-iron plates bolted together on a concrete base. The lighthouse has been in continuous operation since its original construction.

Architecture and Materials

The Green Point Lighthouse is a functional prefabricated cast-iron tower with simple cornice and gallery, featuring utilitarian Art-Deco influences. The materials used are cast iron (bolted plate construction) on a poured concrete foundation. The tower is 21 meters tall above its base and has a hexagonal shape.

Light and Navigation

The focal height of the lighthouse is 19 meters above mean sea level. The light character is flashing white every 10 seconds, with a range of 25 nautical miles (≈46 km) in its principal sector. The sectors where the light is visible are from bearing 043° to 255° true; dark elsewhere to avoid confusion with other aids.

Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds surrounding the lighthouse are open daily for free access, with no entrance fee. The tower interior is generally closed to the public, except on National Heritage Day (24 September) and by special arrangement. Guided tours can be organized by local maritime museums and heritage societies; bookings should be made via the Cape Town Heritage Trust.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding area offers scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Peninsula. The nearby Mouille Point Promenade is popular for sea-views, joggers, and outdoor sculpture. The Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, with its shops, museums, and boat trips, is located approximately 2 kilometers east.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Several early 19th-century vessels foundered on the rocky shore west of the point, prompting the original lighthouse's construction. Oral histories record that lighthouse keepers and their families lived in adjacent quarters (now demolished) and maintained a small vegetable garden on the rocky foreshore.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), which maintains all major South African harbour lights. The light is automated, with remote monitoring using solar-backup and mains power; low-maintenance LED/halogen lamp assembly. The tower also hosts an AIS beacon and radar transponder for vessel traffic services (VTS) support.

Further Information

The Green Point Lighthouse has been declared a Provincial Heritage Site under South Africa's National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA). It is listed on the South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS).