Kalk Bay Harbour Green Beacon
VFC2+P8 Kalk Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
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The Kalk Bay Harbour Green Beacon is located at Plus-code VFC2+P8, Kalk Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Its coordinates are 34°07′41.3″ S, 18°27′02.9″ E.
Construction and History
The exact construction era of the Kalk Bay Harbour Green Beacon is unknown, but it was likely built in the mid-20th century when the harbour infrastructure was expanded to serve the local fishing industry. Its purpose is to guide small craft safely into the lee of the breakwater and supplement the main Kalk Bay Harbour lighthouse.
Architecture and Materials
The beacon is a simple metal post fixed to a concrete footing on the breakwater, with a height above base of 4 m. It is constructed from painted steel and has no widely recognized "official" name beyond its chart reference (D 6224).
Light and Navigation
The Kalk Bay Harbour Green Beacon emits a green light with a characteristic flashing pattern: flash every 5 s cycle, sequence "0.5+(4.5)". Its range is approximately 2 nautical miles.
Accessibility and Visiting
Visitors can access the breakwater during daylight hours and walk out to view the beacon and harbour. There are no formal visitor facilities at the light itself. From Kalk Bay railway station, it's a 10-minute walk south along the harbour wall.
Notable Views and Landscape
The beacon commands panoramic views of False Bay, the Twelve Apostles mountain range, and occasional sightings of local fishing boats and marine life (seals, seabirds). At sunset, the green flash contrasts vividly against orange skies.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Locals often note the beacon in their daily weather reports as confirmation of clear approaches to Kalk Bay Harbour. The beacon is sometimes referred to locally as the "green flash" due to its distinctive light pattern.
Technical and Operational Details
The beacon is fully automated, solar-powered or low-voltage electric lamp (typical for minor harbour lights). It is operated by the Transnet National Ports Authority – Small Craft Harbours Division and maintained through periodic inspections by port maintenance teams.
Further Information
For more information on Kalk Bay Harbour and its surroundings, visit the Transnet National Ports Authority website or the Kalk Bay Tourism Association website.
Details
Name | Kalk Bay Harbour Green Beacon |
---|---|
City | Kalk Bay |
Country | South Africa |
Coordinates | -34.1281516, 18.4507931 |
Stories | Kalk Bay’s fishing community often notes the beacon in its daily weather reports—“green flash at five-second intervals”—as confirmation of clear approaches. |
Architectural style | Minor harbour beacon (seamark:type “light_minor”) |
Construction material | "Painted steel (speculative)" |
Focal height | 4 |
Tower height | 4 |
Heritage status | false |
Access description | From Kalk Bay railway station (on the Metrorail Southern Line), it's a 10-minute walk south along the harbour wall. By car, park in the village and follow signs to the harbour. |
Accessible | true |
Landscape type | Rocky coast |
View description | Panoramic views of False Bay, the Twelve Apostles mountain range to the north, and occasional sightings of local fishing boats and marine life |
Guided tours | false |
Facilities | Toilets, Café, Gift shop |
Opening hours | During daylight hours |
Nearby attractions | ["Kalk Bay Wharf and fish market","Coastal walk to St. James bathing huts","Shops and restaurants in Kalk Bay village"] |
AIS Radar | false |
Light characteristic | "Flashing (Fl), 0.5 s flash every 5 s cycle" |
Light range | 2 |
Automated | true |