Cape Peninsula Tours

The Cape Peninsula tour is the most popular day trip from Cape Town. It follows the coast south through Camps Bay and Hout Bay, over Chapman's Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope, and back along False Bay past the penguins at Boulders Beach.

Full-day tours take about 8 to 10 hours. Half-day versions go straight to the penguins and Cape Point.

Stops along the way

Camps Bay and the Atlantic coast

A drive along the beaches below the Twelve Apostles mountains.

Hout Bay and Duiker Island

An optional boat trip of about 40 minutes from Hout Bay harbour to see the Cape fur seal colony on Duiker Island.

Chapman's Peak Drive

A toll road cut into the cliffs above the sea, with viewpoints over Hout Bay. It closes in bad weather, in which case tours take the inland route.

Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point

Part of Table Mountain National Park. Walk or take the Flying Dutchman funicular up to the old lighthouse, then follow the path to the Cape of Good Hope sign. Look out for ostrich, eland and bontebok.

Boulders Beach

A colony of African penguins, now listed as critically endangered, lives on the beach near Simon's Town. Boardwalks take you close without disturbing them. See Boulders Penguin Colony.

Kalk Bay and Muizenberg

A fishing harbour with seafood restaurants, and the coloured beach huts at Muizenberg.

Good to know

• Entrance fees. Cape Point and Boulders Beach each charge an entrance fee. Some tours include them and some do not, so check the tour page.
• Baboons. Chacma baboons live on the peninsula. Keep food out of sight, close car windows and never feed them.
• Where the oceans meet. Cape Point is not where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. That is Cape Agulhas, about three hours east, which we also visit on a separate day tour.
• Weather. The south-easterly wind can be strong in summer. Bring a jacket even on sunny days.

Best time to go

The tour runs all year. Summer brings long, clear days but more wind and more visitors. In winter the roads are quiet, and from about June to November you may see whales in False Bay.

Ways to book

• Private tour. Your own guide and vehicle, so you can spend longer where you like.
• Small group. A shared vehicle on a set route, with hotel pickup.
• Combined tours. Add Table Mountain or Robben Island for a two or three-day Cape Town package.