Cape Columbine Lighthouse is situated on a prominent headland +/- 5km from the picturesque fishing Village of Paternoster (“Our Father”), deriving its name from the heartfelt prayers of shipwrecked Portuguese sailors. Cape Columbine Lighthouse is located within the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. The Lighthouse, which is built on rising ground at 'Castle Rock' and is usually the first Lighthouse sighted by shipping coming from South America and Europe. It is about 30 km from Vredenburg, on the West Coast.
The Cape Columbine lighthouse owes its name to the British wooden ship- 'Columbine'. Which was wrecked in 1829, a kilometre or two North of Castle Rock, where the Lighthouse stands today. Commissioned in 1936, this was the last manned lighthouse to be built on the South African Coast and it’s still manned today.
"The Lighthouse-Keeper: 'Japie Greef', let us walk 97 steps up a series of wooden ladders to the top of the 15-metre tower where the light is. It was boiling hot in there, so we stayed only long enough to admire the view and notice brass vents polished to within an inch of their lives."
SOME INTERESTING FACTS:
*Date commissioned: 1 October 1936
*Architect/builder: HC Cooper
*Primary structure material of construction: Square masonry tower painted with, with red lantern house.
*Height of tower: 15 metres
*Character of light: One flash every 15 seconds
*Heritage status: Being older than 60 years, the lighthouse is protected under the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999.
*Inhabited/manned: Yes
*Open to public: Yes
*Cape Columbine Lighthouse is open from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), from 10h00 to 15h00.
Cape Columbine Lighthouse offers:
· Tours of the lighthouse
· Curios and memorabilia on sale
· Self-catering accommodation
· Conference facility
· The large premises make it ideal for special events such as weddings, with plenty of space for marquee tents.