About Thomas T Tucker Shipwreck Hike
Start: Olifantsbos, Cape Point Nature Reserve
Finish: Olifantsbos
Duration: 3 km, 2 – 4 hours
Fitness: moderate
Our tip: perfect to do with children, as you reach the shipwreck pretty quickly
More officially known as the Olifantsbos Shipwreck Trail the Thomas T Tucker hike falls within the Cape Point Nature Reserve, with over 1 200 endemic and protected plants to explore and various forms of wildlife to look out for (Cape mountain zebra, ostrich, bontebok, red hartebeest, tortoise).
The yellow trail markers will take you from the parking area at Olifantsbos down to the sea. The American liberty ship Thomas T Tucker struck the Albatross Rock here on her first voyage of the war (1942). Her remains lie stranded on the rocks, fairly far from the sea and close enough to explore with children; a hulk of rusting ship. Everyone on board survived, you will be happy to know.
It is the rock pools, teeming with interesting sea creatures, that is the star of the show for children. That and the few red beaked oyster catchers that run along the shore line.
A little further up the coast, if you want to keep going you will find the Dutch coaster, the Nolloth, wrecked here in 1965. Adding this leg to the hike extends it by 2 km or so. To get back to Olifantsbos, carry on up to an inland ridge where you will find a path.
To extend the hike still further, add the Sirkelsvlei circuit. Sirklesvlei is a vlei fed by underwater springs.
Need to Know
WhereOlifantsbos, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Town
WhenDaylight hours.
How muchFree
OvernightStay nearby in Cape Point, in Cape Town
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Need an Update?
Send us feedback if this is your service/activity. Please let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies.
Note, we do not have additional information or rates. Please don't contact us, rather use the service provider's contact details provided.
Additional Reading
For an in depth review of this trail at Cape Point see our article at "The Thomas T Tucker Shipwreck Trail in Cape Point".
Find Thomas T Tucker Shipwreck Hike in these collections
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options by proximity
* Distances shown are "as the crow flies", not driving distances. Please confirm with the establishment should driving distance be a factor in your decision.
Smitswinkel Tented Camp
Smitswinkel Tented Camp is situated just over the road from the entrance to Cape Point and lies in the shade of a weathered Flowering Gum plantat...
Olifantsbos Guest House
Possibly the most special accommodation in Cape Town, Olifantsbos Guest House is a unique getaway, located deep in the southern part of the Cape ...
Atlantic Dream Beachfront Villa
This 4 star, luxury, double storey, beachfront villa offers privacy, beauty and security. If you seek a safe and peaceful beach retreat within ea...
Other things to do in the area
Gifkommetjie to Platboom Hike
Start: Gifkommetjie beach, Cape Point Nature ReserveFinish: Platboom beach, Cape Point Nature ReserveDuration: 5 km, roughly 2 hours, unless you ...
Cape Point Hike
Start: Platboom beach, roughly 3 km south of Gifkommetjie beach; there is a parking areaFinish: Cape Point's main gateDuration: 18 km one way (le...
Antoniesgat Trail
Start: Turning circle just south of Buffels Bay Beach (Cape Point Nature Reserve), Cape TownFinish: Buffels Bay BeachDuration: 3.5 km, roughly 2 ...
Shipwreck Trail
Cape Point was once a beacon of danger for sailors negotiating the African coastline. This is testified to by the shipwrecks that remain behind, ...
Two Oceans Hike
The Two Oceans Hike is also known as the Sirkelsvlei hike. Start: the gates of Cape Point Nature ReserveFinish: Olifantsbos beach, on the other s...
Cape Point Lighthouse Walk
Start: parking lot at Cape of Good Hope Nature ReserveFinish: parking lotDuration: 2 km returnFitness: easy, children can do the walkOur tip: you...
Buffels Bay Beach
Situated in Cape Town's popular Cape Point Nature Reserve, Buffels Bay Beach is a secluded and relatively sheltered beach which is ideal for a pi...
Diaz Beach
Popular with both locals and repeat visitors to Cape Town, Diaz Beach at Cape Point is a secluded, magnificent and rather romantic beach. You wil...
Maclear Beach
Another Cape Town gem simply because the slightly longer driving distance means Maclear Beach is not over crowded. Cape Point is where you will f...
Noteworthy attractions
South Atlantic Beaches
Where? South of Hout Bay stretching to Cape Point. Includes Noordhoek, Long Beach, Witsands, Misty Cliffs, Scarborough. Go there for walking, hor...
Cape Point Wine Route
It was only in 1998 that the new Cape Point Wine District was declared and the Cape Point Vineyards are still relatively new on the tourist itine...
Chapmans Peak Drive
Chapman's Peak stands imposingly at the heart of Chapman's Peak Drive, connecting Hout Bay with Noordhoek along one of the most dramatic marine r...
Chapmans Peak Blockhouse
The Chapmans Peak Block House dates back to the time when the earliest Dutch settlers indentified Hout Bay as a great spot to anchor when the win...
Cape Floral Region
Cape Floristic Region is a South African UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cape Floral Region Protected Areas in the Western Cape Province, South Afric...
Suikerbossie Pass
One of Cape Town's most scenic hills, Suikerbossie's crest is what makes this relatively straight, but killer steep incline (ask anyone who has r...
Twelve Apostles
The stretch between Bakoven and Oudekraal is dominated by a series of mountains known as the Twelve Apostles, after Jesus' disciples, which is a ...
Western Cape Beaches
Anyone visiting the Western Cape is spoilt for choice in terms of the beaches that freckle this scenic province. In fact, with about 900 kilometr...
Accommodation convenient to Thomas T Tucker Shipwreck Hike
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Atlantic Seaboard Accommodation / Cape Point Accommodation
Cape Point as a destination
Why book with SA-Venues.com
- Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
- No airy fairy service fees; you save!
- We care. Service with integrity.
- Multiple payment methods:
credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer. - All Cape Point property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
- Secure your booking
Things To Do
- By Province
-
Search
Search our comprehensive (and still growing) list of 4569 things to do whilst visiting our beautiful country.
-
Suggestion?
Know of a fabulous thing to do in your suburb, city or region? Share your local knowledge and experiences with visitors and tourists: Suggest a thing to do
Destination Cape Point
- By type in Cape Point
- Cape Point Accommodation
- Cape Point Self Catering
- & Holiday Cottages & Chalets
- & Holiday Homes & Villas
- Destinations near Cape Point
- Bakoven, Bantry Bay, Camps Bay, Chapmans Peak, Clifton, Fresnaye, Granger Bay, Green Point, Hout Bay, Kommetjie, Llandudno, Misty Cliffs, Mouille Point, Noordhoek, Oudekraal, Scarborough, Sea Point, Three Anchor Bay, V&A Waterfront
- Resources for tourists
- About Cape Point
- Things To Do
- Attractions
- Reviews