Cape St Blaize Lighthouse stands at the far end of the Point, where the town stops and the cliffs start. It went into service on 15 March 1864. The tower itself is only 14 metres high, but it sits on the rock, which puts the light 73 metres above the sea; the range is 25 nautical miles, around 46 kilometres. The square brick tower with its gallery and lantern is one of the oldest working lighthouses in South Africa.
- first light
- 15 March 1864
- height of the tower
- 14 m
- light above sea level
- 73 m
- range, around 46 km
- 25 nautical miles
You can walk around the tower freely, and the view runs across the whole bay to the Outeniqua mountains and west along the cliffs. Whether you can go inside depends on the operator, and we found no fixed hours. Ask at the door or at the tourism office. St Blaize Cave lies below the tower, and the St Blaize Trail to Dana Bay starts here. From June to November you can watch for whales in the bay from up here.
- Time needed
- half an hour
- Cost
- free
- When
- all year, best in the evening
- From the Dias Museum
- 1.2 km
Our tipCome an hour before sunset. The sun drops behind the cliffs to the west while the bay to the east turns pink, and then the light comes on.
Cape St Blaize Lighthouse: frequently asked questions
Can you visit Cape St Blaize Lighthouse in Mossel Bay?
From the outside at any time, the grounds at the Point are open. For the inside of the tower we found no fixed opening hours (August 2026); ask on site or at the Mossel Bay tourism office.
How old is the lighthouse in Mossel Bay?
It went into service on 15 March 1864 and still works. The brick tower is 14 metres high, the light sits 73 metres above the sea and carries 25 nautical miles.
What else is near the lighthouse?
St Blaize Cave directly underneath, the tidal pool and the restaurants at the Point a few steps further, and the St Blaize Trail to Dana Bay starts at the tower. From the Dias Museum in the centre of Mossel Bay it is a good kilometre.