T+L Reports: African Beacon

Historic preservationists are illuminating South Africa's Coast. The South African Lighthouse Adventure Tour Operators (Salato; 27-21/ 449-2400; cottages from $70) have fixed up the weather-beaten workers' cottages attached to five of the country's 43 functioning lighthouses, which date as far back as 1864. At the spartan yet comfortable Cape St. Blaize cottages, whales braying in the untamed Indian Ocean below serve as alarm clocks. A dip in the private plunge pool of the Cape Columbine Lighthouse will cool you off after a hike through blossoming fynbos flowers in the nearby nature reserve. Colin Oliver, the resident raconteur of Danger Point Lighthouse, will share vivid tales of blood feuds and shipwrecks, and his own surfing lore, over a seaside meal of freshly caught yellowtail and a bottle of locally produced Sauvignon Blanc. —MARGARET O'CONNOR