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SANParks
Feature | sanparks
Park No 7: Agulhas National Park
Explore seven of SANParks’ national parks best suited to divers and
their families in this series of seven features. In this edition, we focus
on the Agulhas National Park, located on the southernmost tip of
Africa with ruggedly beautiful scenery.
WHO IS SANPARKS?
South African National Parks (SANParks) manages a
system of parks which represents indigenous fauna,
flora, landscapes and associated cultural heritage
of the country. The national parks are situated in
arid, coastal, mountain and bushveld habitats and
all have overnight tourist facilities. Visitors can also
enjoy a variety of adventure activities including game
viewing, bush walks, canoeing, and exposure to
cultural and historical sites.
Agulhas National Park was proclaimed on
3 September 1999. As the southernmost tip of Africa and
the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, it has
always had a hold on explorers and had a mystery about it.
This is partly due to the legendary “Cape of Storms” which
wrecked many ships along its coastline, giving it its name
“Graveyard of Ships”.
Visitors of the park often go to the Cape Agulhas
40 | submerge Let the dive begin
Lighthouse, which is the second oldest working lighthouse on
the African continent’s coastline. This beacon of light was made
from limestone and has been in operation since 1849. Inside, one
can view stone fish traps which were ingeniously used by the
Khoi-Khoi thousands of years ago.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Meisho Maru 38 shipwreck, which ran aground between
Suiderstrand and Cape Agulhas, can still be seen from the
shores of Cape Agulhas.
The park is also home to a variety of wetlands. This variety
contributes to a high diversity of wetland plants and aquatic
invertebrates. Along its coastline, one will therefore find different
marine and intertidal species such as whales, dolphins, porpoises
and Cape fur seals. During spring and early summer, the southern
right whale also frequents the Cape Agulhas coast. The coast
also has breeding sites of rare coastal birds, such as the African
black oystercatcher.
sanparks | Feature
DIVING AND SNORKELLING OPPORTUNITIES
A spectacular diving adventure awaits, as it is in the Struisbaai/
Agulhas area that divers will be able to dive the southernmost tip
of Africa! Although the main focus is on spearfishing, divers have
been visiting the area to explore an exciting underwater world
where two oceans meet.
Diving is best in February and March when the warm Agulhas
current is pushed inshore. The warm current brings with it great
visibility, blue water, 21-24°C water and big fish — an all-round
great diving experience. There is a good variety of wrecks and
strong currents dictate drift diving over the reefs.
The weather in the Struisbaai/Agulhas area is notoriously
unpredictable and divers will need to ensure the weather permits
for a safe and enjoyable dive. Dive trips can be arranged through
selected Cape Town dive operators.
ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
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Visit the southernmost tip of Africa
Hiking and 4 X 4 trails
Whale watching
Shark cage diving (Hermanus)
Bird watching
Swimming
Angling
View the shipwreck and fish traps
Top:
The meeting place of the
Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Middle:
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Web: www.sanparks.org
Mobile: www.sanparks.mobi
Main:
A shipwreck is visible from shore.
Email: [email protected]
Central Reservations: 012 428 9111 S
Wild Card® membership provides
an unparalleled passport to experiencing
and exploring the “wild” places available
in Southern Africa. It gives free access to
more than 80 parks and reserves through
a network of conservation partners
including SANParks, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife,
CapeNature, Msinsi Resorts and Game
Reserves and Big Game Parks of Swaziland.
As a member you don’t pay daily
conservation fees – instead you pay an annual
fee. The membership is valid for 365 days
from the date of purchase.
All members receive the quarterly
Wild Magazine® – South Africa’s premier
conservation publication and a monthly Wild
e-newsletter.
For more information visit: www.wildcard.co.za
Win A HOLIDAY AWAY!
Bottom:
A spectacular ocean view.
WIN a self-catering, self-drive accommodation package for two nights
for you and your partner at any park of your choice!
All you have to do is answer this easy question:
What year did the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse become operational?
Congratulations to Adel Roodt who supplied the correct answer (Alexanderia Dunefield) for the
August/September 2013 edition’s Addo Elephant National Park competition.
How to enter
Email your answer (with subject line “Agulhas”) to
[email protected] along with your full name and contact number.
OR
Send an SMS with the keyword “Agulhas” to 33903, followed by your
answer, full name, email address and contact number.
Competition rules
–– The competition closes on 31 January 2014, whereafter a winner will
be chosen at random and notified.
–– The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered
into.
–– The prize may not be exchanged for cash.
–– The prize is limited to accommodation only.
–– SMSs charged at R1.50. Free minutes do not apply.
–– T&Cs apply. E&OE.
December 2013/January 2014 submerge | 41