Explore the Cape Peninsula and its surroundings, a place at the end of the world that is home to penguins, ostriches, baboons, whales and immense white sand beaches.
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky promontory that shelters a nature reserve criss-crossed by coastal paths. It is practically the end of the world in South Africa, but it is not the southernmost point of Africa. For that you have to go to Cape Aguhlas, 130 km away. World famous, it was incredible to be at this mythical spot!
To get to Cape Point, we did a one-day loop by car from west to east, to discover the must-sees of the Peninsula from Cape Town. We drove along the Atlantic Ocean before arriving at the Cape Peninsula National Park, renamed Table Mountain National Park, which now covers 7,770 hectares.
You need to devote at least one whole day to exploring the Cape Peninsula, because the scenery is magnificent and there is so much to discover.
In fact, check out all our other articles on South Africa to help you prepare for your trip:
WHAT NOT TO MISS ON THE CAPE PENINSULA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS :
| HOUT BAY
A 45-minute drive from Cape Town is the small town of Hout Bay. People come here for the popular Hout Bay Beach, which is sheltered from the wind and attracts many locals, but above all to see or swim with the sea lions. Hout Bay Market is held every Sunday morning. Go early because it’s very busy, but it’s a pleasant place to have breakfast or lunch on your return from a cruise. In Hout Bay harbour, you could be tempted by a good Fish & Chips!
- We wanted to go snorkelling with these mammals but on two occasions the excursion was cancelled due to strong winds and rough seas. Make sure you get there early enough! It takes around 40 minutes to get to the rocky island in the middle of the sea and back by boat.
➡️ Check snorkelling availability and make a reservation
- I saw that it was also possible to meet sea lions and dolphins on board a boat to observe the marine life.
➡️ Check boat availability and book
- If you like kayaking, this could also be an option for exploring the area.
➡️ Check kayak availability and book
| NOORDHOEK
The road to the south of the peninsula is splendid. You’ll take the Chapman’s Peak Scenic Route (R40 toll per single journey) from Noordhoek to Hout Bay. The panorama is incredible. A gentle descent takes you to Noordhoek, with its magnificent 8 km long wild white sand beach, Long Beach. If you’re a keen horse rider, this is the place to be. Imagine galloping along an immense beach of fine white sand, your hair blowing in the wind, without a single tourist in sight! You’ll need to get there by car, as there is no local bus service. Misty Cliffs beach is impressive for its wave rollers! It’s a popular beach for surfers, but it’s also the most closely watched because of the many white sharks that roam around!
For those who love to pedal, you can cycle this scenic route on a guided tour.
➡️ Check availability and book
| KOMMETJIE
Just a 40-minute drive from the Cape of Good Hope, a short stop at Kommetjie is a must. This very pretty village is built on a small rocky cove on the Atlantic coast. People come here to sample one of the delicious local specialities, lobster! After lunch, take a half-hour stroll along the wooden path that runs alongside the beach.
| CAPE DE BONNE ESPÉRANCE & CAPE POINT
Located around 1? hours by car from Cape Town (without stopping to admire the scenery), the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Point (which are just under 2 km apart) is a magical place that is well worth the diversions, with its landscapes, seabirds and wildlife! In reality, the Cape of Good Hope is far less impressive than Cape Point, which is truly breathtaking, but it’s worth going to both places because the scenery is magnificent. At Cape Point, you can walk up to the Old Lighthouse for a panoramic view (20-minute ascent on an easy path) or take the funicular with the “Flying Dutchman” for 50R/p. If you take the path that leads to the second lighthouse, you may see southern right whales below if you’re lucky. Keep an eye out!
Do you know why it’s called the Cape of Good Hope? Well, because the sailors hoped they’d still be alive and able to round the Cape, as the seas were often very rough. At the time, they thought there was no land left!
The Cape Peninsula is part of the Table Mountain National Park. There is an entrance fee and walking routes can be purchased from the Visitor Centre. Allow a good full day to visit this place and enjoy the peninsula with its many beaches. If you’re lucky, you may see the ostrich family that inhabit these deserted beaches.
There are some very nice walks to do, such as the one between Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope (park at Cape Point instead, as the car park is much larger), as well as the GifKommetjie walk, which is a little more popular. There is virtually no difficulty and little change in altitude, so allow 2 hours while taking time to take photos.
| ACTIVITIES
- If you’re short on time, you can book this well thought-out guided tour in a small group. It allows you to admire the beauty of the Cape Peninsula along Chapman’s Peak, make stops at the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, Simon’s Town, Kal Bay and watch the penguins on Boulders Beach.
➡️ Check availability for this tour and book
- Cyclists can hire bikes inside the park.
➡️ Check availability of electric bikes and book
| BOULDER’S BEACH PENGUINS
- BOULDER’S BEACH
A 45-minute drive from Cape Town, you’ll find the town of Simon’s Town. Head to the Boulders on Boulder’s beach, where you can see one of the last penguin colonies in Cape Town. It is home to around 3,000 penguins, who bask peacefully on the white sand and swim in the turquoise water.
The Boulders site is made up of two parts: a beach reserved for the penguins where you can observe them without disturbing them from the wooden walkways, their little heads and their funny gait for the damned sum of 70 ZAR/person, and a second beach where you can put your towel down. Occasionally, a few penguins come to see you, but there are far fewer of them. This little reserve is a great place to visit, especially if you’re with the family, as the penguins are very rare and not to be seen everywhere (perhaps a little on Robben Island).
Unfortunately, these penguins are threatened by overfishing and oil spills caused by the oil industry. In just 10 years they have lost 90% of their numbers. They are apparently struggling to find enough food to survive.
We would also have liked to stop off at Kalk Bay at the end of the morning to see what the fishermen had brought back to port, but between the lack of time and the traffic jams, we had to make choices and give up!
For those who haven’t opted to hire a car, there are plenty of day trips departing from Cape Town.
➡️ Check availability for 1/2 day with the penguins and book
- BETTY’S BAY
If you’re planning to go whale watching in Hermanus (see below), you can also see many cormorants and a colony of African penguins in Betty’s Bay, less than 3 hours’ drive along the coastal road that circles the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Visit the ” little Stony Point Nature Reserve ” (less expensive than Boulder’s Beach), but entry is not included in the Wild Card.
| MUIZENBERG AND ITS COLOURFUL HUTS
People come to Muizenberg for its colourful beach huts on Saint James Beach and Muizenberg, which are particularly photogenic and contrast with the white sand. On Muizenberg beach there is a path that runs along the beach to St James, which takes around 1? hours to walk for 6.5 km. Park your car at the Muizenberg car park, take your walk and then have a taxi take you back to your car from St James.
There are tours that combine several stops, so think about it if you’re really short of time.
➡️ Check the availability of this tour and book
AROUND THE CAPE PENINSULA
If you’re able to continue your trip beyond the Cape Peninsula, I suggest you discover other stops where you can see whales, white sharks and swim in natural pools.
|STEENBRAS NATURAL POOLS
If we’d known this place existed, we’d have stopped here, just a 50-minute drive from Cape Town. That’s why it’s so important to prepare your trip so that you can discover these little hidden gems. I suggest you discover unspoilt nature on a 6-hour guided walk in the Steenbras Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll make your way to the natural rock pools known as “Crystal Pools” during this 2km hike leading to these natural pools.
Dare to jump off the cliffs into these cool mountain springs? An invigorating swim, relaxation in a picturesque setting and a secret sunset spot await you in this area renowned as one of the Western Cape’s best nature reserves. For adrenaline junkies, the pools feature a number of rock jumps ranging from 7 to 22 metres.
| WHALES AT HERMANUS
South Africa is truly a land of observation for land and sea mammals. Did you know that you canwatch southern right whales in Hermanus Bay from June to November? The special thing about Hermanus Bay is that the whales can be seen very easily from the shore, as they swim back and forth along the coast. To maximise your chances of seeing them without disturbing them, head for Cliff Path, an accessible tarmac path located to the west of the town centre. Don’t forget to take a picnic, water, binoculars and a good telephoto lens with you to capture these precious moments in time. Be patient and don’t be disappointed if you don’t see them, as they are wild animals and nothing is guaranteed, even in high season!
To get there, allow around 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive from Cape Town.
➡️ Check whale watching availability and make a reservation
| GANSBAAI
A 2-hour drive from Cape Town, you leave the peninsula and head for Gansbaai, a fishing village in the southern part of the Western Cape province. Seemingly very quiet, the town attracts thousands of visitors every year for its whale-watching from June to November, but above all for its star attraction, the great white shark on the coast! The area is ideal for whale watching from the large iron cage or from the boat. We tell you all about our experience in this dedicated article.
➡️ Check availability and book at Gansbaai
At Gansbaai, you can also take a boat trip to see the famous Big 5 in the same day: whales, seals, sharks, dolphins and penguins. We wanted to book it, but due to bad weather, the excursion was cancelled.
➡️ Check availability for the Big 5 and book
| CAPE TOWN SAFARIS
Do you often ask me what safaris to book in the Cape region? If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, you’ll need to book either a day trip or a two- or three-day safari.
There are some pretty good tours that take you from Captetown, including transfers, to various game lodges. It’s up to you to decide which one suits you best, depending on the weather, availability and your budget.
➡️ 2-day safari at Garden Route Game Lodge
➡️ Afternoon game drive in the Aquila Reserve
➡️ 2-day safari in the South African wilderness
Please bear in mind that these excursions are subject to weather and sea conditions and that, as with any safari or game viewing, you will need to be patient. There is no guarantee of seeing them, so don’t be disappointed and set off optimistically. Maybe you’ll be lucky! Please note that, as an accredited tailor-made travel designer, I can help you create your own tailor-made holiday in South Africa and put together a personalised itinerary tailored to your needs. To do so, please send me an email at: contact@mademoiselle-voyage.fr
Before you leave, I also invite you to read our various articles to help you prepare for your trip to South Africa:
- What to see in Cape Town
- What to see in Knysna
- Diving with the great white shark at Gansbaai
- Cooking classes and recipes in Bo Kaap
- The wine route from Franschhoek to Stellenbosh
- What to do in Oudtshoorn
- A practical guide to organising your trip
