Slangkop Lighthouse
Kommetjie
For tours of the lighthouse phone +27 (0)21 783-1717
Slangkop Lighthouse, Kommetjie
This lighthouse was erected in 1919 and is the tallest
cast-iron tower on the South African coastline at 43 metres
measured from the base to the top of the tower.
Its tower looks out over the surfers, fishermen and divers
of Kommetjie and its purpose is to steer ships around
the dangerous rocks and reefs that lurk below it.
The inside of the lighthouse is empty except for a couple
of landings and a circular staircase which winds its way
to the top against the inside wall of the tower.
At the entrance on the ground floor are a couple of diesel motors
which spring to life the minute the mains power fails.
There is an outside balcony which circles the tower at
about 30 meters above the ground. This is used by the
lightkeepers to clean the windows of the tower.
The balcony is made of cast iron in a wire mesh formation
so that you are able to see the ground through it.
The view from the top is fantastic but if you are scared of
heights it is not the place for you to go.
The view towards Hout Bay
The Slangkop Lighthouse light flashes 4 times every 30 seconds and has a range of 33 sea miles.
In the past the light used to be protected by a curtain and
every evening and morning the lightkeeper had to climb to
the top to open and close them.
What a way to keep fit!
Looking down from Mountain road.
Today the lighthouse is open to the public and you are
allowed to climb the tower to see for yourself what only the
lightkeepers saw in the past..
The problem is that the poor lightkeeper has to climb
the tower more often than he ever did before.
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Slangkop Lighthouse Kommetjie
30.6.2023
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