Beacon Island in Plettenberg Bay was used as a whaling station from 1834 until 1916 when WW1 started. The sight now hosts the luxury Beacon Island Hotel.
The first maritime usage of the bay was by Bartholomew Dias in 1487.
http://www.plett-tourism.co.za/about/history/
http://www.plett-tourism.co.za/about/history/beacon-island-whaling-station/