The lighthouse was built to aid the early explorers on their passage of the rough seas off Cape Aghulhas. Seventy-one steps lead up to the top of the second oldest working lighthouse in southern Africa. Stone mined from the adjacent limestone quarry provided the raw materials for its construction. The building also houses a unique lighthouse museum and restaurant. Remains of ancient stone fish traps used by the Khoe Khoe people can be seen to the east of the lighthouse.

Graveyard of ships, the Zoetendal, Birkenhead and Arniston are some of the many shipwrecks found along the Aghulhas coastline. Showpieces from these shipwrecks are on display at the Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum. Visitors to the area can still see the remains of the Meisho Maru, 4 km west of L'Aghulhas.

The southern-most tip of Africa, the official position of the tip is 34° 49' 58" south and 20° 00' 12" east. A cairn marks the tip's exact position. It is at this longitudinal point that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.

Hotagterklip Cottages is restored fishermen's cottages at the entrance to Struisbaai, (8km) built by early fishermen. Some of the cottages are now used as holiday homes and have all been declared as national monuments.

Walk along the 14 km uninterrupted white beach at nearby Struisbaai (8km) and look for some unique shells along the shoreline of the bay.