Name and Location

The Kalk Bay Lighthouse, also known locally as the Kalk Bay Harbour Light, marks the entrance to Kalk Bay Harbour on False Bay's eastern shore, within the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. Its official name and identity include a Sea-mark reference: D 6200 (US NGA Pub. 112, 2010-11-10), and a Local nickname "Kalk Bay Harbour Light".

Construction and History

The exact date of original construction is not recorded in publicly available sources, but it is likely that the lighthouse was established in the first half of the 20th century as a minor harbour light to assist local fishing and coastal traffic. The lighthouse has never been staffed by a resident keeper and has been automated since its inception.

Architecture and Materials

The Kalk Bay Lighthouse is a small, cylindrical tower or lantern mounted on a single-storey concrete base. It stands 7 meters (23 feet) tall and is constructed from reinforced concrete, painted white.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse's light characteristic is Long flashing red, one flash every 15 seconds (LFl .R .15s). The sequence is 2.5 seconds flash + 12.5 seconds eclipse. Its nominal range is 6 nautical miles, covering the harbour entrance and adjacent coastal waters.

Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse is publicly accessible on foot via the harbour's concrete pier; no formal visitor facilities or entrance fee apply. The nearest public transport is Kalk Bay Railway Station (approximately 200 meters inland) and local minibus-taxis along Main Road.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the vantage point of the lighthouse, one can enjoy expansive views across False Bay toward the Hottentots Holland Mountains, with opportunities to spot whales in season. The contrast between granite breakwater stones, working fishing boats, and the blue Atlantic makes for a unique landscape experience.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Fishermen's lore speaks of an early 20th-century lightkeeper who reputedly kept a pet seabird on the tower – no documentary proof survives. The lighthouse is often used by photographers at sunset to frame False Bay's colors.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) under the Department of Transport, South Africa. It is still active as a navigational aid for small craft entering Kalk Bay Harbour.

Further Information

• For further reading and references, consult the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's Sailing Directions (Enroute) Pub. 112: "South Africa—West Coast", 2010;
• Transnet National Ports Authority website: port of Kalk Bay section;
• or local heritage society pamphlets like "Kalk Bay: A Maritime History" (available at the Kalk Bay Museum).