The Cape Recife lighthouse is currently undergoing a face lift so it wasn't the ideal photo subject during my Cape Recife visit with the SA Tourism photographer on Monday. The lighthouse has been closed to the public for quite some time so I'm hoping this is a good sign and that it will be open again fairly soon.
The Cape Recife Nature Reserve so has the potential to be Port Elizabeth's Cape Point Nature Reserve, just without the cliffs. What I'm saying is that so few people really go to Cape Recife yet there is so much to do and experience. Some of the options are visiting SAMREC, doing the Roseate Tern Hiking Trail, bird watching, fish, exploring the rock pools at low tide, walking along the beach, tons and tons of photo opportunities and for those who…
I visited Cape Recife Nature Reserve a little while ago and there was a bit of a storm brewing over Algoa Bay. It made for a nice contrast between the dark clouds and blue sky and a bit of late afternoon light.
The coastline from Cape Recife to Schoenmakerskop is generally known as the Wildside due to it rocky coastline and the fact that the prevailing south-easterly wind can pump out there on the best of days and make the sea well and truly rough. Don't get me wrong though, the weather isn't always bad and when its good this piece of coastline is an amazing spot to explore, fish from or just have a family picnic. The spot in the photo…
The Cape Recife Lighthouse guarding the western point of Algoa Bay
St Croix Island in Algoa Bay is home to the biggest African Penguin colony in the world. Unfortunately the number of penguins on the island has drastically reduced over the last couple of years and the reason for this basically comes down to pollution and over fishing. SAMREC (SA Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre) at Cape Recife takes in marine animals and birds that is injured or effected by pollution and does a great job nursing and caring for them…
Looking back at the point at Cape Recife from one of the view points on Marine Drive. The lighthouse is visible on the left and the reef runs out for a couple of kilometres from the rocky coastline on the right.
The area between Pollock Beach and Cape Receive is generally known as Flat Rocks. The name refers to the rocks stretching out to sea at low tide. The rocks are easily accessible and is very popular fishing site. Some of the older Port Elizabeth followers will remember the old Flat Rocks Roadhouse which was situated overlooking the sea across the road from the Humewood Golf Club entrance. The roadhouse of cause is no more. I remember the roadhouse, but I…
The South African Marine Rehabilitation Centre, SAMREC runs a rehabilitation centre at Cape Recife to care for the sick and injured Marine Life of Algoa Bay and neighbouring coast line. They run educational programs at the centre and one of the features that the kids love the most is the Mouse House. The Mouse House was built in recognition to the wild mice that had to give up their homes in order for the centre to be built.
One of the shipping beacons out Cape Recife. In addition to the lighthouse there are two beacons that were used in the early days to guide ships into Algoa Bay before the advent of modern navigational equipment. Ships sailing along the southern coast towards Algoa Bay had to stay on a straight coarse until they lined up the two beacons. Only then was it safe to turn into the Bay and avoid running aground on the treacherous Thunderbolt Reef.