Situated at the junction of two of the earth's most contrasting water masses, the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm waters of False Bay on the East Coast, the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. Geographically, however, the Indian Ocean joins the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Agulhas.

The local authority proclaimed the area a nature reserve in 1938 and it was incorporated into the Cape Peninsula National Park in 1998. It encompasses 7 759 hectares of rich and varied flora and fauna and it's 40 kilometre coastline stretches from Schuster's Bay in the west to Smitswinkel Bay in the east.

Early European seafarers who circumnavigated the Cape of Good Hope include the 15th century Portuguese explorers, Bartholomew Dias and Vasco Da Gama, whose journeys led to the establishment of the Cape sea route to the East. To commemorate their voyages of discovery, two navigational beacons have been erected a t strategic points.

Portugal's King John ii later gave the peninsula the name the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1580, Sir Francis Drake described it as “The most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth”.

Due to sandy soils, the area is unable to sustain a number of large animals and those that are present are not easily seen. However, there is a wealth of insects, lizards, tortoises (including the Cape Angulate Tortoise), frogs and snakes such as the Puff Adder, Cape Cobra, Mole Snake and Boomslang.

Mammals include Cape Mountain Zebra, Chacma Baboon, Rock Hyrax (“dassie”), Genet, Lynx, Striped Mouse, Cape Grey, Water Mongoose and Cape Clawless Otter. Eight species of antelope are also found here: Bontebok, Eland, Cape Grysbok, Red Hartebeest, Grey Rhebok, Steenbok and Grey Duiker. Klipspringer have been re-established recently after an absence of almost 70 years.

Flora

The Cape Of Good Hope is an integral part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms.  This comprises a treasure trove of 1100 species of indigenous plants, of which a number are endemic (occur naturally nowhere else on earth).

The area offers excellent vantage points for whale viewing. The Southern Right Whale is the species most likely to be seen in False Bay between June and November. Others are the Humpback Whale and Bryde's Whale. Seals and Dolphins may also be seen.

The strategic position of Cape of Good Hope between two major ocean currents, ensures a rich diversity of marine life. There is a difference between the sea life west of the Cape Point and that to the East due to the markedly differing sea temperatures.

The South African Marine Living Resources Act is strictly enforced throughout the Cape Peninsula National Park, and especially in marine protected areas. Disturbance or removal of any marine organism is strictly prohibited, but is allowed in other area during season and with relevant permits.

The Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean type climate with generally warm dry summers and cold wet winters.

Main attractions

• Rich, diverse “fynbos” vegetation
• Walks, hiking trails and picnic sites
• Tidal pools at Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay
• Historical monuments and buildings
• Shipwrecks
• Viewing site from the old lighthouse
• Angling and diving sites
• Flying Dutchman Funicular
• Visitor's Centre
• Global Atmosphere Watch Station
• Most south westerly point of Africa
• Curio Shop
• A restaurant