Hike to the new lighthouse at Cape Point and look out for the Flying Dutchman

Thundering waves, rugged cliffs and wind that sweeps relentlessly over the tip of Africa – the new lighthouse at Cape Point watches over one of the most dangerous coasts in the world. Since 1919 it has replaced the historic lighthouse, which was built too high and often disappeared in the fog. Today it is considered the brightest lighthouse in South Africa, its light reaching almost 100 kilometres out over the sea. But it’s not only ships that travel here – they say the Flying Dutchman also haunts the stormy waters.

The path to the new lighthouse starts at the Cape Point car park. First you climb up to the old lighthouse, either on foot via a steep but well-built path or with the Flying Dutchman funicular. From there a lonely, less frequented path continues along the cliffs to the new lighthouse. The trail is not long, but the wind often blows so strongly here that you have to lean into it. The effort is well worth it though: the view of the dramatic cliffs, the endless sea and the waves crashing against the rocks is unforgettable.

And then there is the legend. Time and again, sailors and visitors report that they have sighted an eerie ship off Cape Point – the Flying Dutchman. According to legend, in the 17th century Captain Hendrik van der Decken desperately tried to round the Cape in a storm, but the sea swallowed his ship. Since then it is said to have glided over the waves as a ghost ship, an omen for sailors and one of the most famous seafaring myths in the world. Keep your eyes open – you might just spot it on the horizon.