Interesting Places to visit in Western Cape

V&A Waterfront

This is a working harbor centrally located below the centre of Cape Town and is a destination on its own, hosting quite a number of exciting attractions that keep both locals and tourists coming back for more. Kiddies and marine life enthusiasts are yet to experience a world-class Two Oceans Aquarium, with mesmerizing live ocean exhibitions and over 8 000 sea animals on display, while the Cape Wheel is a great way to see the sights from above.

Bo-Kaap

This is a vibrant neighbourhood situated at the foot of Signal Hill that has preserved a distinctive identity over centuries of change. It is one of the most visited places in Cape Town not only for its colorful terraced houses and steep cobbled streets but also for it's historical and heritage value. The houses in the streets of Bo-Kaap are a mixture of Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian architectural styles combined with the Islamic faith, culture and eastern origin of the majority of its inhabitants.

West Coast National Park

About a 90-minute drive from Cape Town, West Coast National Park is filled with different species of wildflowers. Dotted with small towns and ample space, a visit to this stretch of the country promises a bountiful, blooming beautiful adventure. The park is also home to more than 250 species of birds, as well as many Arctic migrants in winter. Among the numerous species are cormorants, seagulls, small sandpipers, curlew sandpipers, plovers, gannets, flamingos, and the black-footed penguin.

Kalk Bay Harbour

It was named one of The 12 Coolest Neighbourhoods around the World by Forbes magazine in July 2018, outranking international hotspots: London’s Soho and New York’s Greenpoint. This harbour is a fishing village with a mix of historic buildings, cobbled streets, bohemian bric-a-brac shops, vintage bookstores, art and antique galleries, ocean and mountain views, cafés, restaurants, and colourful fishing vessels. It is also home to creative locals, offering a unique experience unlike anywhere else in the city.

Water-biking in the sea

Simon’s Town Pier, Simon’s Town in Cape Town offers water bikes that are pedal, and function exactly like you would on a normal bicycle. Besides being fun, they are stable and do not require fuel (nor do they emit emissions), making them environmentally friendly. This makes them quite a popular water sport even among environmentally conscious tourists and contributes to the growth and popularity of responsible tourism.

Paddling on the open ocean

This is a two-hour guided kayaking tour which departs from Three Anchor Bay beach under the Sea Point Promenade and ventures along the coast towards the V&A Waterfront (or Clifton Beach) – depending on the weather and your preference. Visitors get to encounter African penguins, Cape fur seals, sunfish (aka mola mola), southern right whales and dolphins are known to swim close to the coastline. You also get to experience the magnificent view of the Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles Mountain ahead.

Silvermine Nature Reserve

This reserve is popular during the warmer months for it's beautiful hikes and picnic spots next to the dam, but the wild nature of the surroundings are equally highlighted in winter when the mist lies low above the fynbos and the rain turns everything green. Less than an hour’s drive from the Cape Town city centre there is the Silvermine Ridge which is also largely popular for leisurely picnics and also the starting point for various hikes.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

On these outings, paddlers get to experience the V&A Waterfront from its majestic canals, during a three-kilometer loop. All equipment is provided, along with the services of an experienced guide, and you will receive a brief introduction to SUPing before you set off.

Private yacht charters

These are coastal cruises from the V&A Waterfront and can also be personalised for any occasion, from birthdays and hen parties to team-building activities. You can request a fully licensed cash bar with sparkling wine and other drinks and choose from a variety of menu styles from buffet and canapés (for 65 guests) to seated lunches and dinners (for up to 40 guests).

Penguin-watching at Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is home to a penguin colony and one of the few places in the world where you can swim with these wonderful water birds. The colony falls under the protection of SANParks and requires a conservation fee to gain access. Once there, you can watch the penguins frolic in the waves, and even approach them as they waddle about on land.

Muizenberg

Muizenberg is a beautiful town, well known for its distinctive colonial atmosphere and fine beach community. The beach is home to a surfing club, a canoe club, and a yacht club. The colorful bathing boxes are a throw-back to the “bathing machine” of the 1800’s which was a cart-like structure that was wheeled down to the water’s edge, allowing the ladies to change into their chin-to-ankle bathing wear and frolic modestly in the shallows. This is a brilliant way to explore the history of bathing boxes, with a variety of other activities to engage in as well.

Zipline across the Elgin Valley

Fly over fynbos forests, majestic valleys, and thundering waterfalls in this zipline adventure. Few activities compare to the exhilaration experience of sliding along a steel cable over this beautiful canyon. Based in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, about an hour out of Cape Town, the tour kicks off with a 4×4 ride high into the mountains, where guests are supervised by professional guides and attached to cables that run from platform to platform. There are 11 slides in total, some as long as 300 metres, and each end on a platform into the rugged mountain.

Abseil down Table Mountain

At 1 000 metres above sea level, this is the world’s highest commercial abseil, and it makes for an exhilarating experience as you are lowered into the vortex, with the vast blue ocean stretching out below. This adrenaline packed experience takes around an hour, including a safety demonstration, harnessing up, and a 30-minute hike to get back to the top of the mountain.

Lion’s Head

Lion’s Head is a free-standing peak located next to Table Mountain and about two-thirds its height. This isolated peak offers exciting hiking with sensational views. Available as a sunrise or sunset hike Lions head is a truly memorable experience. Also serves as a great alternative for when Table Mountain is covered in clouds.

Off-road scooter tour at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve

These nonelectric scooter rides offer a sense of freedom and an opportunity to experience this famous wine-growing region from a different perspective. The non-motorized scooters are extremely stable and are used to navigate the slopes of the Swiss Alps during summer, making them safe for the whole family, and kids will love them.

Treetop obstacle course

Inside the Constantia Nek forest, in the shadow of the misty mountains, this treetop playground has all the ziplines, cargo nets, and elevated platforms. There are four obstacle courses, two of which are suitable for young children, and two of which are geared towards teenagers and adults. Trained instructors provide a safety briefing on each one before you embark.

Helicopter Tours

This experience offers helicopter tours with unbeatable views, coupled up with superb food, and one-of-a-kind privacy for a very special occasion. Starting from the V&A Waterfront, you will get to see the Cape Peninsula from the air before you land on Baskloof Private nature reserve for a walk and picnic, accompanied by top local wines.