Agulhas Plain

Designations
Official name
Agulhas Plain
Designated2 February 2026
Reference no.2587

The Agulhas Plain is a complex wetland system located in the Overberg at the southern tip of Africa. It begins north of Bredasdorp, and extends to the southern tip of Cape Agulhas. The western boundary is near Gansbaai. The area has been designated as a protected Ramsar site since 2026.

There are many endangered plant species in the area. Many of these are not found in the state forests and private nature reserves along the coastal areas, but grow more inland.

Flora

A new fynbos lily species, the New Year's lily (Cyrtanthus novus-annus), was discovered in a conservation area on the Agulhas Plain and the species Hermannia concinnifolia is endemic to the plain.

Paleo-Agulhas Plain

The now submerged Paleo-Agulhas Plain in South Africa had diverse, green ecosystems and abundant wildlife for early humans.

References

  1. 1 2 "Agulhas Plain". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Agulhas Plain – Fynbos Node".
  3. ↑ Conradie, Beatrice; Garcia, Maria (January 2013). "An estimate of the recreational value of the Agulhas Plain, South Africa, with special reference to the value of plant biodiversity". South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences. 16 (2): 170–182. doi:10.4102/sajems.v16i2.331.
  4. ↑ https://www.birdlife.org.za/iba-directory/agulhas-plain-heuningnes-estuary/
  5. ↑ "Conservation - Protecting Species, Habitats, Biodiversity | Britannica".
  6. ↑ "CREW: Why the Agulhas Plain is a plant priority | Agulhas Plain". 15 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "New fynbos lily discovered at southern tip of Africa". 30 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Figure 2: Map showing the location of the Agulhas Plain. 8".
  9. ↑ "Drowned Paleo-Agulhas Plain was an Eden for Early humans". 16 May 2020.

34°38′20″S 19°51′00″E / 34.63889°S 19.85000°E / -34.63889; 19.85000