When discussing the point of Africa, Cape Point and Cape Agulhas often come to mind. Both hold significant allure for their natural beauty and rugged coastlines, but when it comes to pinpointing South Africa’s southernmost tip, Cape Agulhas takes the crown.
But just how much further south is Cape Agulhas than the more famous Cape Point?
Geographic Coordinates of Cape Agulhas vs. Cape Point
To determine how far south Cape Agulhas is compared to Cape Point, we need to examine their geographic coordinates:
- Cape Point: Located at approximately 34°21’ S latitude.
- Cape Agulhas: Positioned at about 34°50’ S latitude.
Cape Agulhas lies roughly 29 minutes of latitude further south than Cape Point. Since each minute of latitude equates to about 1.85 kilometres, this translates to a difference of approximately 53.65 kilometres (33.33 miles).
This means Cape Agulhas is located approximately 53.65 km (33.3 mi) further south than Cape Point, making it the true southernmost tip of the African continent.
How much further south is Cape Agulhas from Cape Town?
Cape Point may steal the spotlight for its close proximity to Cape Town, but Cape Agulhas is undeniably the geographic gem of South Africa.
The driving distance from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas is approximately 230 kilometres (143 miles), taking around 2.5 to 3 hours by car. By comparison, Cape Town to Cape Point is just 70 kilometres (43 miles) and takes about an hour to reach.
While a return trip from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas can be done in a single day, the Overberg region (renowned for its fynbos landscapes, historic wine farms and incredible marine life) is worth exploring.
Is it worth travelling further south to see the real Tip of Africa?
If you want to stand at the southernmost point of the African continent and see where the two oceans meet, then yes, it’s worth travelling to Cape Agulhas.
Being 53.65 km further south than Cape Point, and being the official meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Cape Agulhas is a destination that embodies a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand at the geographic point of Africa.
Although the distance from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas is almost double that of Cape Town to Cape Point, the added distance is for good reason! You’re travelling to the lowest point, the very tip, of the whole continent.
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