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Cape Point & the Cape Peninsular

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Last updated: 12 July, 2024

Treacherous seas, sandy coves and sheer cliffs characterise Cape Point, located at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, 60km southwest of Cape Town.

The 7,750-hectare Cape Point nature reserve, which falls within the Table Mountain National Park, makes a great day trip for nature lovers, with its fynbos (the smallest yet richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms), antelope, baboons, Cape Mountain zebras and Cape clawless otters. But note, contrary to popular belief, it’s not the place where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet – that’s Cape Agulhas, 150Km to the east.

The drive there is lovely, and the penguin colony at Boulders Beach is conveniently on the way and often included as a stop on a Cape Peninsular tour. It’s a rare spot to see wild penguins in their natural habitat.

Be sure to climb up Cape Point’s lighthouse, 286m above sea level, for spectacular ocean views. To reach the lighthouse, walk or take the ‘Flying Dutchman’ – a funicular named after a ghostly ship that is said to sail around the point.

Logistics

Price from: £16
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Hire a car and take a slow, scenic day-trip to Cape Point Nature Reserve, heading through the southern suburbs and along the False Bay coastline, perhaps stopping at one of the chic cafés in Kalk Bay or Simonstown for breakfast.

Entry to Cape Point includes a map marking walking trails, beaches and places of historical interest.

After, drive back to Cape Town via Scarborough, Noordhoek, Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay and Camps Bay, stopping for sundowners or whale watching along the way (Southern Right whales can be seen from June to September).

When to do it

It’s open all year round, seven days a week. It’s best anytime in summer or on a clear, calm winter’s day. It’s also a popular destination for tourists in summer, while locals favour public holidays and weekends. Go early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Weather conditions can be severe, with strong winds and high temperatures. Check the daily forecast on the website before setting out.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Cape Town

Choose to pre-pay the Cape Point Entry fee now or pay on the day! (Pay on the day is suitable for South African's with photo ID to claim their discounted entry price) Enjoy a live-guided day excursion to visit the Penguins at Boulders Beach, Cape Point (the romantic meeting place of the mighty Atlantic and Indian oceans) and the Cape of Good Hope. This tour offers you over 1 hour at the penguin beach, over 2 hours at Cape Point to fully explore this gem and Unesco Heritage site and another 30 minutes at the Cape of Good Hope. Lunch can be enjoyed along the way (at your own expense). You can also choose to join the optional, guided hike from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope (approx 40 minutes, requires medium fitness & good walking shoes). After a day spent exploring, sit back in your seat and enjoy the coastal drive back to Cape Town via Scarborough and Kommetjie, with spectacular views from the Ou Kaapse Weg mountain pass. Free WIFI and USB charging stations at your seat. 

Price ZAR 600

Min age 2

Rating 4.84 / 5 [1879 ratings]

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  • Cape Town

For travellers with limited time in Cape Town we have combined all the highlights into one day on a Scheduled Tour to Table Mountain, Boulder's Penguins and the Cape of Good Hope. Travelling to Cape Town without visiting the Cape of Good Hope is like a travelling to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. On this tour: See the city centre on a brief drive-by city tour; Stop in the Bo-Kaap for a photo with the colourful houses; Visit Table Mountain via the Cable Car; Take a drive along Chapman's Peak; Visit the African penguins colony at Boulder's Beach; Take your photo at the Cape of Good Hope and visit Cape Point lighthouse; See the colourful beach huts at St. James Beach.

Price ZAR 1,450

Min age 0

Rating 4.73 / 5 [1307 ratings]

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  • Cape Town

Embark on an extraordinary Cape Peninsula full-day tour, immersing yourself in Cape Town's unparalleled beauty. Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime as we drive along the stunning coastline, revealing picturesque locations. Visit Hout Bay, where golden sands meet the Atlantic Ocean's active waters. Breathe in the ocean breeze and soak up the sun in this coastal haven. Opt for an optional Hout Bay Seal Island visit to witness seals in their natural habitat, creating memories to cherish. Traverse Chapman's Peak Drive, renowned for its awe-inspiring vistas. Arrive at the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge. Stand at the continent's edge, embracing the spirit of exploration and history. Join our unforgettable Cape Peninsula full-day tour, guided by wonder, adventure, and bliss. Indulge your senses, create cherished memories for a lifetime. Experience the captivating beauty of Cape Town and the treasures it holds.

Price $59

Min age 0

Rating 4.92 / 5 [807 ratings]

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  • Cape Town

Join us on a Full Day Cape Peninsula Private Tour to the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point, Chapmans Peak, Seal Island and Boulder's Penguins Colony, affording you the opportunity to see all the key sightseeing attractions that Cape Town has to offer. On this tour, guests will have the option to customise the tour to suit their requirements as they will have their own personal tour guide in a private vehicle with personal guided interaction. Highlights that can be experienced on this tour include the Bo-Kaap, Atlantic Seaboard, Hout Bay (the Gateway to Seal Island), Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Point Vineyard, Boulder's Penguins colony, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point and Muizenberg. This is one of the best ways to see some of the major highlights Cape Town has to offer in a customisable private tour.

Price ZAR 2,340

Min age 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [576 ratings]

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  • Cape Town

See all the top sights along South Africa’s Cape Peninsula on this full-day tour from Cape Town. Learn about the region from your expert guide. Take an optional boat trip to Duiker Island in Hout Bay (time permitting and for own account). Spend time at leisure in Cape Point Nature Reserve and visit Simon’s Town on the peninsula’s east coast – home to a colony of African penguins (entrance for own account). We return to Cape Town, passing the University of Cape Town and the Groote Schuur Hospital.

Price ZAR 1,870

Min age 2

Rating 4.53 / 5 [360 ratings]

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