The Cape St. Blaize Cave is a rugged grotto naturally carved into the rock face overlooking the ocean. A historic lighthouse, with an elegant wooden viewing platform, is perched atop the cave. Discover the long history of the cave, which was used by hunter-gatherers going back 160,000 years.
Enter the vast cave and gaze up at its ceiling, which is 33 feet (10 metres) high. Its opening is 72 feet (22 metres) wide, offering a spectacular vista of the ocean and its ferocious waves splashing the foot of the cave. Stand in the grotto’s mouth and appreciate the view of the white foam hitting the rocks.
Chat with your friends about the intriguing history of the site. In the late 19th century, excavations showed that pre-colonial inhabitants dating back to the Stone Age would eat shellfish here. The site is also known as the Bat’s Cave, because bats once inhabited it.
Snap photos of this intriguing shelter from the outside. Join the swimmers in the water beside the cave, making sure to avoid the jagged rocks. Lay down a blanket on one of the boulders and enjoy a picnic with a backdrop of crashing waves.
The sloping trails in and out of the cave lead up to the clifftop, where you will find the historic Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse that dates back to 1864. Note that the whitewashed structure with red tiles is still manned 24 hours per day. Continue toward the village centre and dine at one of the many restaurants specializing in seafood in the village.
It is free to visit the cave at all times. Make sure not to fall on the slippery rocks.
Cape St. Blaize Cave is in the easternmost point of Mossel Bay in southern South Africa. Ride the train to the Mossel Bay Railway Station and walk southeast for a few minutes to get here. Nearby landmarks include Pinnacle Point Golf Course, Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club and the Dias Museum.
