January 2025
Today’s post is going to be very short. My mother is soon flying back to Cape Town after visiting us and we just returned from a jam-packed weekend, totally exhausted. Our weekend varied between seeing lots of wildlife, beaches, historic old buildings and delicious food. We’ll share all of these with you in the next few posts (and I promise you’ll see zebra and giraffe photos like never before on our blog)!
On the way back from our weekend we took a detour with the promise that we would see a lighthouse. It’s so satisfying to stumble upon something really beautiful when you take the road less travelled.
On the R72 (20km/12 miles from Port Alfred in the direction of East London) a dirt road on the right takes you to the Great Fish Point Lighthouse.
The road leading to the lighthouse
The dirt road is approximately 5km/3 miles long and in a fairly good condition. It was quite a bumpy ride, but I’m sure you will be able to drive with a normal sedan car – a high clearance vehicle will definitely make it a more comfortable ride. The road is paved for the last 100m to the lighthouse.
The light of the Great Fish Point Lighthouse was first lit on the 1st of July 1898. It’s built 800 meters from the shoreline and stands 75 meters above sea level.
Great Fish Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse is one of 45 lighthouses in South Africa and very well maintained. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside (probably because we visited on a Sunday), but it was impressive enough just to see it from the outside.
The lighthouse is described as follows: “Two black vertical stripes flank the broad center white stripe of this lighthouse, whose tuxedo like appearance substitutes a red roof light cap and matching railings for a red bow tie and matching cufflinks.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard a lighthouse described so beautifully (and quite fitting too)!
The tuxedo look-alike lighthouse
Located at the mouth of the Great Fish River, you can only imagine the breathtaking views of the pristine beaches we had from the lighthouse.
What a beautiful beach
Such a stunning coastline
We would like to commend the lighthouse keeper for how well the lighthouse and premises are maintained. It was such a pleasure to pay a quick visit here. If you are not in a hurry, please turn off from the main highway to visit this beautiful lighthouse and appreciate the spectacular views.
Wet and Dusty Roads 
What a charming lighthouse. Love the description as well!
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Even before I read how the lighthouse are described, I told Berto it looked like a tuxedo! It’s nothing spectacular (unlike the views), but for some reason, I really liked this lighthouse … maybe because it’s so well maintained!
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The description of the lighthouse is so creative, and spot on too. I hope you had a lovely visit with your mum!
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I love the description … it totally looks like a handsome prince in his tuxedo, doesn’t it 😉. It was great to show my mum all these new places and to see how much she enjoyed it. She’s still here for a few more days before she flies back, so we’re making the most of our time together.
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Oh my yes, a handsome prince!
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Oh, what a beauty! I don’t remember this, though we visited Port Alfred several times. It’s maintained extremely well.
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It was such a wonderful surprise to see how well the lighthouse is looked after (we’ve unfortunately gotten used to some attractions not being maintained anymore). You have to drive a little way out of Port Alfred to get to the lighthouse, that’s maybe why you never visited the lighthouse. We’re going to write about our visit to Port Alfred soon – it’s definitely one of the most beautiful South East coastal towns!
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A very attractive lighthouse and in a lovely setting! I’m looking forward to seeing those zebras in particular 😀
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Yes, I think the location of the lighthouse makes it worth visiting (even when the lighthouse is closed). I think you will enjoy the zebras … Berto took one photo especially with you in mind (I will identify it in the post) 😊.
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Ooh, I’m intrigued!
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I’m sure you’re going to love it – it’s my new favourite zebra photo!
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Aw what a picture perfect lighthouse and beach. I hope your Mum has a safe journey home 🙂
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I wish we had time to go for a walk on that big beach! But the beautiful lighthouse was reward enough for the bumpy dirt road we had to drive 😜. Thanks Hannah, I’m giving your message to my mum … I think she’s pretty excited to go back home again!
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It is an adorable lighthouse. Maggie
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I think it’s my new favourite lighthouse – probably because it’s looked after with so much care.
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a posh lighthouse. Clearly, it is well loved. I look forward to your coming posts.
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It makes me so happy to see how well such an old lighthouse is looked after – this must be a lighthouse keeper who takes pride in his/her work (you don’t find many of them these days). I think you will especially enjoy the next post – there will be more than enough wildlife photos to look at 😊.
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What an attractive lighthouse Corna and your description too!
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I can’t think of a better description for this lighthouse Marion 😊. And it’s wonderful that it is so well maintained.
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Julle het soveel aangename herinneringe bymekaargemaak dat dit hopelik die afskeid ‘n bietjie makliker sal maak.
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Dis mos nooit lekker om totsiens te sê nie, maar Tannie is reg, ons het so baie lekker dinge die afgelope tyd gedoen. Dis mos maar hoe die lewe is – wanneer die geleentheid daar is, dan benut ons dit ten volle 😊. En sien uit na die volgende keer …
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Nice lighthouse. I like the colour of the building.
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It was indeed the colours of the lighthouse that impressed me so much. I’m glad we ventured down that dirt road to check this out!
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You said it, a very well maintain lighthouse. It must have been nice to see something unexpected. Such beautiful scenery.
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At first we weren’t sure if the dirt road would be worth driving up to the lighthouse, but we were really pleasantly surprised! The scenery is really beautiful (100% better than what you can capture on camera) … you know, next time I’ll take a picnic basket with me 😄.
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Such a poetic and beautiful description of this elegant lighthouse. The coastline is indeed stunning. Shame that it was closed, but hopefully you’ll get another chance to peek inside and check out the views.
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If you use your imagination a little (and tilt your head a little), then this lighthouse is a real prince in a tuxedo 😉. It would be great to see the coastline from the very top of the lighthouse … I really hope we get another chance to go there.
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