Standing on the massive outcrop of rock known as Castle Rock, on a windswept coastline, is the first South African lighthouse to be seen by ships sailing from Europe and South America. So it’s surprising to discover that the Cape Columbine Lighthouse was only built in 1936. Standing 5kms outside of the fishing village of Paternoster and 80m above sea level, its beam is visible for nearly 50km out to sea. The lighthouse is also the first lighthouse to have light, fog signal and a radio beacon all installed as one unit. Other lighthouses do have all three, but only as individual units. It was the last manually controlled lighthouse to be built in South Africa, and one of very few to remain manned by lightkeepers.

The lighthouse owes its existence to the wreck of the British wooden barque, Columbine, which was wrecked just north of Castle Rock in 1829. The lighthouse was built 1.5kms north of the wreck. In December 1973, the wreck gave its name to the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and the lighthouse now stands within it.

Its design is unique. Rather than following the usual cylindrical shape, this lighthouse is a slightly tapered square tower. The outer faces of the walls are recessed, forming buttresses on all four corners. This rugged stature fits perfectly with the barren landscape in which it stands.

Inside, at the top of the spiral staircase, incredible views can be seen over the Britannia reef and to the edge of the vast horizon of the Atlantic Ocean.

This is one of few places in South Africa where one can stay at a lighthouse as three former lightkeepers' cottages have been converted into guesthouse accommodation.