Roman Rock Lighthouse, Offshore lighthouse at False Bay, South Africa

Roman Rock Lighthouse is a prefabricated iron tower painted entirely white, erected on an isolated rock about 1.5 km off Simon's Town. The rock is completely submerged at high tide. A helicopter landing platform has been added because surrounding rocks make sea access difficult.

Commodore Joseph Nourse of the Royal Navy, stationed at Simon's Town, proposed a light to guide British ships arriving at night; at least four sites were considered between 1823 and 1853 before Roman Rock was chosen. The iron tower was prefabricated in England and shipped to Simon's Town, and work began in 1857. Winds and high tides allowed no more than seven working days a month, so the build stretched four years and the light was first exhibited on 16 September 1861.

The name Roman Rock refers to the rock itself, not to a Roman shipwreck; no ancient Roman vessel is recorded here. The need for the light came from Commodore Joseph Nourse of the Royal Navy at Simon's Town, who wrote to the Admiralty in London that a lighthouse would make the approach safer for British ships arriving at night. Between 1823 and 1853 at least four sites were proposed before Roman Rock was chosen.

The tower stands about 1.5 km offshore from Simon's Town, on a rock submerged at high tide, so it cannot be reached on foot. A helicopter landing platform was added because surrounding rocks make boat access difficult. An automated weather station powered by solar energy has recorded temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, and humidity since April 2002.

The tower was prefabricated in England and shipped to Simon's Town for assembly; a helicopter landing platform was added later because the surrounding rocks make sea access difficult. A solar-powered automatic weather station was installed in April 2002, measuring temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity.