Cape Point is located in the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve within Table Mountain National Park,  which forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. It includes the majestic Table Mountain chain, which stretches from Signal Hill to Cape Point, and the coastlines of the Cape Peninsula. This narrow stretch of land, dotted with beautiful valleys, bays and beaches, contains a mix of extraordinarily diverse and unique fauna and flora.

Top Things To See And Do At Cape Point

Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular:

Apart from offering visitors an exciting and novel method of travel, taking the Flying Dutchman funicular saves visitors an uphill walk from the car park to see the old lighthouse and enjoy the panoramic views.

The Flying Dutchman Funicular, also known as the Cape Point Funicular, is a funicular railway located at Cape Point. It is believed to be the only commercial funicular of its type in Africa, and takes its name from the local legend of the Flying Dutchman ghost ship.

Enjoy the views:

Take in some of the most breathtaking ocean and mountain scenery in the world. The panoramic views that spread out before you are breathtaking. Literally, because you’ve just earned them with a final push up the final flight of stairs from the upper funicular station. And once you’re there, it’s impossible not to spend a few silent minutes taking in the gravity of the dramatic location, before you instinctively reach for your camera.

Connect with nature:

As Cape Point is located in the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve within Table Mountain National Park, there is an abundance of flora and fauna to enjoy. Photograph the more than 1 100 indigenous plant species that grow nowhere else in the world.Watch massive whales moving past Cape Point on their annual migration (around June to October). Keep an eye out for 250 bird species occurring here, including some endemic to the area. Spot the Cape mountain zebra and the world’s largest antelope, the eland, among a variety of other fauna.

Enjoy fine-dining with spectacular views:

The Two Oceans Restaurant occupies an enviable position above False Bay at the southwestern tip of Africa. The restaurant is as famous for its seafood cuisine as it is for a superb wooden deck that looks out onto one of the most stunning ocean views in South Africa.

Often rated as one fo the top restuarants in the Cape Peninsual, the Two Oceans Restaurant prides itself on offering fine dining with world-renowned views. Reservations are highly recommended even outside of peak season.

Spend the day on the beach:

Did you know Cape Point is home to some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the Cape? There are several beaches that are well worth exploring. Always exercise caution when venturing into the waters to swim or surf. There are strong currents at Cape Point that make some of these beaches unsuitable for swimmers, and there are no lifeguards on duty, but the beaches make up for it with perfect soft sand and idyllic views perfect for long, reflective walks.

Buffels Bay Beach

Buffels Bay is one of the most popular locations for day visitors to Cape Point. There are fixed braai (barbeque) places to cook up a storm, and it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with the whole family. There are also tidal pools located nearby, which offer a safe place to swim at Cape Point. Don’t forget to bring your wood, fire starters, and braai grid, visitors are also allowed to bring their own alcohol in to the picnic sites.

Bortjiesrif

Located just before Buffels Bay, is Bortjiesrif which offers a picnic site with a tidal pool offering a safe place to swim in Cape Point. Don’t forget to bring your wood, fire starters, and braai grid, visitors are also allowed to bring their own alcohol in to the picnic sites.

Diaz Beach

If you’ve been up to the old lighthouse at Cape Point or travelled on the Flying Dutchman Funicular, then you’ve most likely seen Diaz beach from above. But the view from sea level is equally enthralling and well worth the 20-minute walk down (and 40 minute walk back up).

Maclear Beach

You’ll need to walk a few short paths to get to Maclear Beach at Cape Point, but that’s half the charm of this small sandy strip on the Cape Point coast. The route through dense fynbos sets this up as one of the more secluded and intriguing sections of Cape Point. Plan a visit to this beach at low tide, when you can explore the rock pools with the younger members of your family.

Olifantsbos Beach

Olifantsbos offers visitors a beautiful rocky point and small sandy beach on the western peninsula of Cape Point, a short drive away from the main focal point of the reserve. This rugged, unspoiled section of the reserve offers a selection of hikes and walks, and it’s also the starting and finishing point for the popular Shipwreck trail.

Platboom Beach

Platboom Beach at Cape Point is possibly the wildest and most unspoiled in the region. This vast stretch of idyllic beach is perfect for long, quiet walks. In fact, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring this coastline without seeing another person. Birds flourish in this environment, and it’s not uncommon to see ostriches and baboons enjoying a quiet walk along the sand.

Enjoy outdoor activities:

If it’s outdoor activities you are looking for then Cape Point is the place for you. Hike along a wide variety of scenic and overnight trails through natural fynbos and along sandy beaches. Take part in a range of exciting outdoor activities, such as sea kayaking and mountain biking. Explore a wide variety of stunning dive sites that lie waiting to be explored on both sides of the Point.

Shop for curios and mementos:

There are three superb stores located near the Flying Dutchman Funicular upper and lower stations at which to purchase a range of Cape Point, and traditionally South African, memorabilia, curios and, souvenirs. All stores provide their own unique take on natural beauty and fascinating maritime history that defines Cape Point and are well stocked with the ultimate products to remind you of your trip to the most southwestern corner of Africa. The stores at Cape Point also provide a selection of essentials, should you have left anything behind.

Discover lighthouses, cultural and historical spots:

In 1859 the first lighthouse was completed; it still stands at 238 meters above sea-level on the highest section of the peak and is now used as the centralised monitoring point for all the lighthouses on the coast of South Africa.

Discover cultural and historical spots, including monuments to explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias. Other points of historical interest include bunkers used by the military in WWII as well as the cannon at Kanonkop.

Let’s Braai:

Many people don’t know this, but you can braai at Cape Point – in the designated areas, of course. Buffels Bay and Bordjiesdrif are famous for their great braai spots and grassy picnic areas. The beach has a safe tidal pool that overlooks the False Bay area and there’s an abundance of rich flora this time of the year.

Buffels Bay
There are individual braai spots and beautiful white sands – so if you don’t mind the sand in your toes, this braai area is for you. Remember to bring your own grids and wood.

Bordjiesdrif
Bordjiesdrif has circular braai spots for those visiting in groups. There are grassy patches so you’ll have an ideal picnic setup. Remember to bring your own grids and wood.

REMEMBER:
– Keep to the demarcated braai areas for your own safety and for the preservation of the park.
– Do not feed the baboons, those caught will be fined. Keep a safe distance between yourself and the baboons.
– Remember to keep the area clean and tidy at all times.
– No alcohol is allowed in the park.

Download the free Audio Tour:

Cape Point has a free audio tour that provides an all-encompassing sensory experience, while you’re exploring the beauty of this iconic site.

If you’re on your preferred device, download the tour here (Apple)  or here (Android). The audio tour, created by VoiceMap, gives fascinating facts — including maritime history, fauna, flora, Cape Point legends and some of the key points of interest. It’s available via the iPhone App store or the Google Play store for Android and here’s a step-by-step guide to downloading the app.

IMPORTANT: Download the app BEFORE visiting Cape Point, as the cellular signal in the park fluctuates.

  1. In the App (iPhone) /Play  (Android) Store search for VoiceMap City Tours and download the app
  2. Open the app once downloaded
  3. Set up a profile for yourself
  4. Click on the menu (top right-hand corner) and tap the Explore button and search for Cape Point, if it’s not immediately visible.
  5. Download both tours to enable you to choose your preference on the day of your visit to Cape Point
  6. Open the tour you’d like to do
  7. Play once you are in destination and ready to start the tour

My GreenCard:

Visitors to Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) either pay a conservation fee to enter the Park at pay points (Cape Point, Boulders, Silvermine, Tokai and Oudekraal) or they may enter for free with their valid SANParks, All Parks, International All Parks or Cluster Wild Cards; as well as with the TMNP My Green Card.

The TMNP My Green Card is available exclusively to residents of Cape Town and provides the holder with 12 free entries into any of the Table Mountain National Park’s pay points: Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point), Boulders Penguin Colony, Oudekraal and Silvermine, as well as to the braai and picnic areas at Tokai, Newlands and Perdekloof. To find out more about this card, click here.

Rates

Entry into the Cape of Good Hope:

Adults: R145

Children: R75

* Children: Cape of Good Hope ages 2-11

The Flying Dutchman Funicular:
Adult Return: R70.00 pp | Adult Single: R55.00 pp
Scholar/Child (age 6-16): R30.00 pp | Scholar/Child (age 6-16): R22.00 pp | Children (under 6) FREE per paying adult

South African pensioners get special funicular rates on Wednesdays: R30 (return), R22 (single)

My GreenCard:

The TMNP My Green Card is available exclusively to South African residents of Cape Town, costs R145 and provides the holder with 12 free entries into any of the Table Mountain National Park’s pay points: Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point); Boulders Penguin Colony, Oudekraal and Silvermine, as well as to the braai and picnic areas at Tokai, Newlands and Perdekloof. It offers fantastic value.

Find out how to get it here

Share your top #CapePointMoments with us!

Connect with us via our Cape Town Big 6 Facebook or Twitter page. Better yet, snap an Instagram shot of your favourite outdoor moment and tag @CapeTownBig6 #CTBig6 #CapePointMoment

One Destination, 6 Unbelievable Experiences

There is no one way to explore all of the Cape Town Big 6, and much of what makes each of them so special is the variety of things to see and do at each. So if possible, take your time to explore each of the city’s most visited tourist attractions in as much depth as possible – as any local will tell you, you can spend a lifetime at each of the Big 6 and still not tire of them. Find the 3 and 4 day itineraries and tips here.

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