VISITOR'S INFO
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Things To Do
With numerous beaches, dozens of amazing viewpoints, a fascinating maritime history, and plenty of unique fauna and flora, it’s impossible to fit everything that Cape Point has to offer in one visit. This is our selection of the most popular things to see and do
when you next visit Cape Point:
- Take in some of the most breathtaking ocean and mountain scenery in the world.
- Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular up to the viewing point, below the old lighthouse.
- Sample world-class cuisine and enjoy the most spectacular vistas over False Bay at the Two Oceans Restaurant.
- Shop for curios and mementos at the three Cape Point shops.
- Discover cultural and historical spots, including monuments to explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias.
- Great swimming spots, picnic sites and walks at the Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay tidal pools.
- 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. - Walk the shipwreck trail to view a few of the 26 recorded shipwrecks around Cape Point.
- 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.
- Always keep a lookout for the legendary ghost ship – The Flying Dutchman!
Don’t forget to download our free Cape Point Audio Tour ahead of your next visit!
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.
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Opening Times
Due to seasonal changes, there are various opening times set throughout the year to coincide with daylight hours. Typically, the Cape Of Good Hope gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, and vehicles leaving after closing time are fined accordingly, so be sure to adhere to the times indicated at the gate when entering the park. There are few sights as spectacular as the sun rising over False Bay, and we highly recommend making the extra effort to get there at opening time to witness this event.
Entry (exit by sunset)
Funicular
Two Oceans Restaurant
Food Shop
Gift store
October - March
6:00am – 6:00pm
9:00am – 5:30pm
11:00am – 5:30pm
9:00am – 5:30pm
9:00am – 5:30pm
April - September
7:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm
11:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm
9:00am – 5:00pm
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Tickets
Rates Valid from 1 Nov 2023 until 31 Oct 2024
Flying Dutchman Funicular Prices
Adults: R105
Children*: R55
Pensioners**: R60
Adults: R90
Children*: R50
Pensioners**: R50
Cape of Good Hope Gate Entry Prices
Please note that the gate entry to the park is managed by SANParks
Adults: R105
Children*: R55
*Please note that ID must be provided.
Adults: R210
Children*: R105
Adults: R455
Children*: R225
*Children: Cape of Good Hope ages 2-12; Flying Dutchman Funicular ages 6-16 years; children under 6 ride free; all children must be accompanied by an adult.
**South African pensioners: 60+ get special funicular rates, but must show identification to receive pensioner rate. Tickets only available at Cape Point ticket office. (Not available to pre-purchase online)
***In order to qualify for the local rate, South Africans must produce their ID, driver’s licence or passport. Electronic copies (i.e. a high quality picture on your phone) is also suitable.
Price increases take place each year on 1 November.
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Shipwreck Trails
The Cape of Storms, the original name accorded to the present Cape of Good Hope, was not given lightly to one of the most notoriously dangerous coastlines in the world. Evidence of numerous shipwrecks litters the Cape coast from west to east, some of which may still be seen today around Cape Point.
Olifantsbos Point
From this viewpoint on the Atlantic side of the Peninsula, look towards where the Lusitania collided with Bellows Rock in 1911. It is also the site of three other wrecks: the Thomas T Tucker, wrecked in 1942; the Nolloth, wrecked in 1965 and Le Napoleon, wrecked in 1805. A cairn among the fynbos marks the route to the beach from Olifantsbos. The Thomas T Tucker ran aground at the Point after striking Albatross Rock. Its hull is clearly visible on the shore. There is no visible wreckage of the Nolloth today. A French pirate ship, Le Napoleon, foundered after being chased ashore at Olifantsbos by the Royal Navy frigate Narcissus on December 25, 1805. The outline of the ship and some cannons are often visible near the car park.
Phyllisia
From the parking area, take a stroll down to the beach, or choose the trail leading along Kleinkommetjie Ridge to Die Hoek van Bobbejaan to view the remains of the Phyllisia, a steam trawler wrecked in 1968.
The better option is to take the Kleinkommetjie route, which treats visitors to stunning bay scenery and a long-distance vista of the beach stretching towards Brightwater. Bank on a walk of 1.5 hours each way. If you choose the lower hiking trail, the walk is about 20 minutes longer.
Buffels Bay
Buffels Bay, or Buffalo Bay, is said to have earned its name from a ship that was wrecked during the 1700s. Legend has it that a ship transporting buffalo apparently hit the rocky shoreline and broke apart, freeing the animals, which swam across the bay to freedom. There may also be some visible wreckage of the Tania , a fishing trawler wrecked at Buffels Bay in 1970.
Cape Point
A walk all the way to the rugged and rocky Cape Point will take you to the site from where legendary ghost ship, the Flying Dutchman, has been sighted over the years.
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Accommodation
There are three beautiful self-catering cottages available for hire within the Cape of Good Hope.
Ideal for family holidays, the Eland and Duiker Cottages are situated in the Cape of Good Hope section of the Park. Both are electrified, offer fully equipped kitchens and linen is provided. Eland Cottage sleeps six people with one master bedroom and two bedrooms each furnished with two ¾ beds. There is an open-plan kitchen/ lounge area and an enclosed patio with a Jetmaster fireplace. Duiker Cottage sleeps six people with one master bedroom and two bedrooms each furnished with two ¾ beds. There is an open-plan kitchen/ lounge area with a Jetmaster fire place in the lounge. Duiker has its own boma and braai area.
BOOKING DETAILS
This accommodation can be booked through SANParks.
Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre
Tel: +27 (0)21 780 9204
Mon – Thurs: 09:00 to 16:000
Fri: 9:00 to 15:00 on Friday’s.
Email: musam@sanparks.org
Possibly the most special accommodation available in Cape Town, this unique getaway is located deep in the southern part of the Cape of Good Hope and offers guests complete seclusion right on the beach. The main cottage has three double rooms – one master, two with two ¾ beds, a fully kitted, gas-fuelled kitchen, a bathroom with a gas-fuelled geyser and an open-plan lounge and dining area complete with a cosy fireplace. For warm summer evenings there is generous patio and braai area with a boardwalk leading to the beach. For larger groups there is an annex that sleeps an additional six people – one two-sleeper and one four-sleeper. The annex has its own bathroom and linen is provided. As the lights are solar powered and water is sourced from tanks, guests are asked to conserve energy and water.
BOOKING DETAILS
This accommodation can be booked through SANParks.
Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre
Tel: +27 (0)21 780 9204
Mon – Thurs: 09:00 to 16:00
Fri: 9:00 to 15:00 on Friday’s.
Email: musam@sanparks.org
INFO
Directions
A scenic drive through the National Park leads you to the parking area at Cape Point.
Please note, the speed limit in the reserve is 60km/h!
The direct drive from the gate to Cape Point will take you from 10 to 15 minutes.
Coming from Cape Town via the Atlantic side:
- Follow the directions to Sea Point, then follow the coastal road along Camps Bay and Llandudno to arrive in Hout Bay (via M6).
- From there, take Chapman’s Peak Drive, which will take you to Noordhoek.
- Turn right to follow the magnificent coastline to Kommetjie, Soetwater, Witsand, Misty Cliffs and Scarborough, where you then drive inland for a few kilometres.
- Table Mountain National Park’s entrance will be on your right.
Coming from Cape Town via the False Bay side:
- Take the Eastern Boulevard out of town and follow the directions from the M3 to Claremont.
- Continue on the M3 until you reach the end of the highway, then turn left towards Muizenberg and Fish Hoek.
- Drive along the coast to the historic naval village of Simon’s Town.
- Continue along the coastal road to Table Mountain National Park entrance on your left.