Cape Agulhas Local Municipality covers the southernmost tip of Africa, at the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, in the Western Cape’s Overberg District. The 2022 census counted 40,274 people across 3,470 km², up from 33,038 in 2011. Bredasdorp is the seat.
Cape Agulhas itself, marked by a lighthouse dating to 1848, is the official dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the southernmost point of the African continent.
Towns and Villages in Cape Agulhas
Bredasdorp is the seat and largest town, inland from the coast. Struisbaai and Arniston are the municipality’s fishing and holiday towns; Napier and Elim are smaller farming and mission settlements further inland.
| Town | Note | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Bredasdorp | Municipal seat | 18,599 |
| Struisbaai | Fishing and holiday town | 5,301 |
| Napier | Farming village | 5,048 |
| Elim | Moravian mission village | 1,691 |
| Arniston | Fishing village | 1,518 |
Other named places in the municipality:
- Aasfontein
- Agulhas (site of the Cape Agulhas lighthouse)
- Brandfontein
- Hotagterklip
- Klipdale
- Molshoop
- Nacht Wacht
- Prinskraal
- Protem
- Remhoogte
- Skipskop
Geography
The municipality forms the peninsula between Cape Agulhas — the southernmost point of the African continent — and the Overberg wheat plain inland. It borders Overstrand to the west, Theewaterskloof to the northwest and Swellendam to the north.
The Agulhas National Park, at the continent’s southern tip, protects coastal fynbos and limestone reefs, with the historic Cape Agulhas Lighthouse open to the public.
Demographics
Population rose from 33,038 in the 2011 census to 40,274 in 2022, a 22% increase, spread between Bredasdorp and the smaller coastal towns of Struisbaai and Arniston.
Afrikaans is the dominant home language across the wheat-farming and fishing communities, with Elim retaining a distinct Moravian mission heritage that sets it apart from the surrounding farm towns.
Growth along the coast at Struisbaai has outpaced Bredasdorp itself, reflecting rising demand for holiday and retirement homes near Cape Agulhas.
Economy and Local Life
Wheat and canola farming on the Overberg plain around Bredasdorp anchor the economy, with fishing at Struisbaai and Arniston and growing coastal tourism drawn by Cape Agulhas itself.
Elim, founded as a Moravian mission in 1824, still produces its own wine under a co-operative and draws visitors interested in its restored thatched cottages.
Struisbaai’s harbour still lands linefish and crayfish, and its long white beach makes it a growing holiday destination alongside Cape Agulhas’s own lighthouse tourism.
Bredasdorp’s grain silos and farm-supply businesses serve the surrounding wheat and canola farms, keeping the town’s economy tied closely to the agricultural season despite its distance from the coast.
Getting There
The R316 and R319 connect Bredasdorp to the N2 at Caledon and Swellendam; the R43 leads south to Struisbaai and Cape Agulhas. Cape Town International Airport is roughly two and a half hours’ drive northwest.
FAQ
What is the seat of Cape Agulhas Local Municipality? Bredasdorp.
How many people live in Cape Agulhas? 40,274 at the 2022 census, up from 33,038 in 2011.
Which district is Cape Agulhas in? The Overberg District Municipality.
What towns are in Cape Agulhas? Bredasdorp, Struisbaai, Napier, Elim and Arniston.
How big is Cape Agulhas? 3,470 km².
Why is Cape Agulhas significant? It marks the official southernmost point of Africa and the Atlantic-Indian Ocean divide.
When was the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse built? 1848, and it remains operational today.
What is Elim known for? Its Moravian mission history, thatched cottages and co-operative wine.
How far is Bredasdorp from Cape Town? Roughly 200 km, about a two-hour drive on the N2 and R316.
What is Cape Agulhas’s biggest town? Bredasdorp, the municipal seat, with 18,599 residents.
What language is most spoken? Afrikaans, across nearly all of the municipality’s towns and farms.
Is Cape Agulhas a good day trip from Cape Town? It is possible but long; most visitors combine it with an overnight stay.