Cape Town activities & adventure South Africa
Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by admin in Cape Town
There is a whole range of activities in Cape Town to enjoy and the natural surroundings lend themselves perfectly to outdoor pursuits.
Whether you want to throw yourself out of an aeroplane, get your sea-legs or keep your feet firmly on the ground with a round or two of golf, you are sure to find the right Cape Town activities for you. Check of JF’s guide to the best activities in Cape Town and also see JF’s guide to Cape Town attractions.
Hiking
There are countless waking and hiking trails in Cape Town and with so many forests and mountains to explore you could keep yourself busy for weeks on end here.
The higher you climb, the more breathtaking the views, and with the vast amount of waterfalls and ravines along the way, there is always somewhere to cool off should you get a bit hot and bothered.
Although the most popular Cape Town hiking routes are well sign-posted, it’s a good idea to always plan your course beforehand and consult a map along the way. If in doubt, you can always go on an organised group walk or hire a local guide. Check out JF’s guide to weather in South Africa to find out the best times to go hiking in Cape Town.
Check out:
Hike Cape Town
Sea Point 8060, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)83 9533 056
Information and tips for walking and hiking in Cape Town.
Table Mountain Walks
Tel: +27 21 7156136), Email: margie@tablemountainwalks.co.za
Guided tours with an official Table Mountain guide.
Take-a-Hike
Tel: +27 (0)21 557 7520
For guided hikes around Cape Town
Water sports
Water sports in Cape Town are very popular and there is an abundance of things to get up to in and on the seas that surround the city.
Deep Sea Fishing in Cape Town can be enjoyed all year-round. From October to May is best for those with a taste for Reef Fish, Swordfish, Tuna, Marlin and Yellowtail and between June and September is best for Cape Sneok.
Check out:
Hooked on Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 790 5332 or +27 (0)21 790 5332, email: sean@hookedonafrica.co.za or stuarth@mweb.co.za
For big catch fishing around Cape Town.
Cape Charters
Shop 6, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8002, Tel: +27 21 418 0782, Email: info@capecharters.co.za
Cape Charters offers a whole range of activities including deep-sea fishing and tours.
Shark diving
Shark cage diving is a must for adrenalin junkies and offers a thrill of an altogether different type. Shark cage diving in Cape Town takes place near Dyer Island, which is around 90 minutes from Cape Town by boat, giving you plenty of time on the journey there to contemplate coming face to face with a Great White.
Check out:
Shark Bookings
Tel: +27 (0)82 466 4519, Email: enquiries@sharkbookings.com
Shark Bookings specialises in cage diving and is South Africa’s biggest booker
White Shark Diving
PO Box 50325, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)21 532 0470, Email: sharkdive@iafrica.com
One of the first companies to offer cage diving at Dyer Island
Scuba diving
Scuba Diving in Cape Town is doubly good as you have both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to choose from. The Cape Peninsula coastline is packed with ship wrecks and reefs, and, depending on the weather, visibility can reach as far as 25 metres. Dolphins, sharks and penguins are some of the highlights to be seen with Cape Town scuba diving, which more than makes up for the absence of tropical fish. See JF’s guide to weather in South Africa for an idea of the best time to go scuba diving in Cape Town.
Check out:
Scuba Shack
234 Long Street, Cape Town 8001, Tel: +27 (0)21 424 1115, Email: info@scubashack.co.za
Scuba Shack has two PADI centres in Cape Town and years of experience.
Dive Action
Paarden Eiland, Cape Town 7405, Tel: +27 (0)21 511 0800, Email: info@diveaction.co.za
Dive Action provides one-off dives and dive certificates.
Extreme sports
Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing in Cape Town are also not to be missed during a trip to the city. The beautiful beaches of Cape Town are home to some of the best breaks in the world and the nearby Langebaan lagoon attracts boarders from all over the planet to its internationally recognised shores. You can hire gear, bring your own or take surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing lessons in Cape Town. Check out JF’s guide to Cape Town beaches for more information.
Check out:
Cape Sport Centre
98 Main Street, Langebaan, 7357, Tel: +27 (0)22 772 1114, Email: info@capesport.co.za
Based on Langebaan lagoon, Cape Sport Centre offers surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons and gear as well as sea kayaks for rent.
Downhill Adventures
Shop 10 Overbeek Building, Cnr Kloof, Long & Orange Street, Cape Town 8001, tel: +27 (0)21 422 0388, email: info@downhilladventures.com
Provides lessons and equipment for a whole range of activities including surfing, mountain biking and bungee jumping.
Air activities
If you manage the impossible task and get bored of water sports in Cape Town, you can always take to the skies and enjoy some air-born activities in Cape Town. From helicopter rides to sky diving, you’re sure to find something to put your heart in your mouth.
Sky Diving is one for the real adrenalin junkies or simply those who just appreciate a good view. Sky dive companies in Cape Town cater to both experienced and newbie jumpers and there is truly no better, or more terrifying, way to appreciate Cape Town’s fabulous scenery. Prices range from around R600 for a first-time jump to R1,200 for a tandem jump.
Check out:
Skydive @ Robertson
Roggebaai, Cape Town 8012, Tel: +27 (0)83 462 5666, Email: bookings@skydive.co.za
The Skydive @ Robertson members club was established in 1972 and has a good reputation for safety
Skydive Cape Town
R27 (West Coast Road) Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)82 800 6290, Email: bookings@skydivecapetown.za.net
This parachuting club is under new and improved management and offers a range of options
Hang-gliding and paragliding in Cape Town is a very relaxing experience, provided you can get over the pre-flight nerves of course. Gliding from Signal Hill, Table Mountain or Lions Head provides breathtaking views over the Atlantic Seaboard and ensures an experience you won’t forget. Those without a gliding licence can only take part in a tandem glide, but it’s always nice to have someone there to hold your hand.
Book through:
Cape Town Tourism Centre
Tel: +27 (0)21 405 4500
Helicopter trips in Cape Town offer a bird’s-eye view of the stunning Cape area from the surf-edged golden beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard to the patchwork of vineyards in the winelands. Various Cape Town helicopter trip companies can be located at the V&A Waterfront and prices start from around R1,600 for a 20-minute flight.
Check out:
NAC Makana
East Pier Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Tel: +27 (0)21 425 3868
NAC Makana specialise in tailor-made flights around the Western Cape
Golf
For those planning to get into the swing of things while away (sorry bad joke), golf courses in Cape Town are like sheep in New Zealand – there’s a hell of a lot of them. Many offer stunning views of the area and boast their own on-site driving ranges.
There are so many Cape Town golf courses you could play on a different green everyday of your holiday, and some companies also offer golf tours. These can be booked through: Cape Town Tourism Centre (Tel: +27 (0)21 405 4500).
Check out:
Atlantic Beach Golf Course
1 Fairway Drive, Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, 7441, Tel: +27 (0)21 553 2223
The Atlantic Beach Golf Course boasts sweeping views of Table Bay and a 18-hole championship course.
Belville Golf Course
Jip de Jager Drive, Bellville, Cape Town, Tel: 27 21 913 3100, Email: roy@bellvillegolf.co.za
The 18-hole Bellville Golf Course is nestled in the rolling hills of Cape Town’s Welgemoed suburb and boasts great views of the Hottentots Holland mountains
Clovelly Country Club
Clovelly Road, Clovelly, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)21 782 1118, Email: clubhouse@clovelly.co.za
Clovelly Country Club is home to a challenging course with natural sand dunes surrounded by indigenous flora.
Rondebosch Golf Club
Golf Course Road (off Klipfontein Road), Mowbray 7700, Tel: +27 (0)21 689 4176, Email: clubmanager@rgc.co.za
The Rondebosch Golf Club is one of South Africa’s oldest, although it received a redesign in 1994 due to the broadening of the Black River which flows through the course. Birdlife including geese, herons and egrets also frequent the course.
Royal Cape Golf Club
174 Ottery Road, Wynberg 7800, Tel: +27 (0)21 – 761 6551, Email: bookings@royalcapegolf.co.za
The Royal Cape Golf Club has hosted various competitions during its long history. There are great views here and the windy conditions make for a challenging game.
Steenberg Golf Estate
Steenberg Hotel, 10802 Steenberg Estate, Tokai Road, Constantia 7945, Tel: +27 (0)21 713 2222, Email: info@steenberghotel.com
With mountains and vineyards as a backdrop, a round at Steenberg Golf Estate offers 18-holes among pine forests and waterways. The course can only be used by hotel members and their guests, however.
Boat trips
There are various companies offering boat trips in Cape Town and this provides a great way to see a different side of Cape Town’s sandy beaches and iconic landmarks. It is also ideal for those who want to discreetly snoop at some of the lavish pads along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Sunset cruises in Cape Town depart from Sea Point, Llandudno, Hout bay and Clifton and harbour tours around the V&A Waterfront run throughout the day. For a taste of pure elegance you could even spend an evening of dinner and drinks on a luxury catamaran or yacht or charter a fully-crewed vessel to take you and your group wherever you want to go. You can also enjoy Whale Watching in Cape Town and eco-boat trips in Cape Town, mainly around Dyer Island. See JF’s guide to Cape Town attractions for information about ferry trips to Robben Island.
Check out:
Cruise Table Bay
25 Aviation Cresent, Airport city, Tel: +27 (0)21 386 7699, Email: info@valuecarhire.co.za
Cruise Table Bay offers car hire and boat charters
Tigger 2 Charters
Postnet Suite109, Private BagX4, Hout Bay 7872, Tel:+ 27 (0)21 790 5256, Email: tigger@netactive.co.za
Luxury yacht charters for tours and weddings
Dyer Island Cruises
PO Box 78, Gansbaai, Western Cape, Tel: +27(0)28 384 0406, Email: bookings@whalewatchsa.com
Dyer Island Cruises do whale watching trips around Dyer Island
