You Won’t See a Fairer Cape in the Circumference of the Earth

Day tours uncovered on the Cape Peninsula

Sir Francis Drake described the Cape Peninsula as the most beautiful Cape in the world and he certainly wasn’t wrong. It’s the home of exclusive beaches, Camps Bay and Clifton; the rugged coastline of Chapman’s Peak Drive; the flora, fauna and wildlife of the Cape of Good Hope and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens; as well as the Great White Sharks, fur seals and Southern Right Whales who meet with the Indian and Atlantic oceans.

It’s no secret that the Cape Peninsula is one of the most stunning places you will visit in your life time. To ensure that your visit is a memorable experience, book a full or half day tour, with an expert tour guide. CapeTownMagazine.com has created a unique overview of the best tours the Peninsula has to offer.

Scenic day tours in the Cape Peninsula

Discover the Western Cape via a luxury, scenic drive to the rugged and beautiful Cape Point, via some of Cape Town’s exclusive beaches including; Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout Bay. Your half day tour includes; Chapman’s Peak, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Simon’s Town and an optional Seal Island cruise. Your experienced tourist guide will even pick you up from your hotel (Hylton Ross Exclusive Touring | +27 (0) 21 511 1784).

It’s no secret that the Cape Peninsula offers unrivalled coastlines and beaches, so why not spend the day there? Accompanied by a specialist driver, your full day tour includes; the Twelve Apostles, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. A stop for a sumptuous, seaside lunch is optional (Cape Friendly Tours | +27 (0) 21 694 0115).

Embark on a full day, private tour from the comfort of an air-conditioned, luxury vehicle. Your knowledgeable guide will transport you on a breathtaking journey of scenic beauty, flanked by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Highlights include; Camps Bay, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point Ostrich Farm and lunch at a seafood restaurant. A private pick up, onboard refreshments and a complementary massage at your hotel are also included (WOW Cape Town Tours | +27 (0) 21 6970174). Read our feature on their Cape Peninsula tours

Opt for an exclusive, active day tour that is tailor-made to suit your individual fitness levels. Your tour includes; Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach and a hike through Cape Point Nature Reserve, accompanied by a friendly tour guide. There will be nothing to separate you from majestic cliffs, deserted beaches and ocean winds. Lunch is included (Cape Town Tour Guide | +27 (0) 73 308 4745).

Embark on an interactive bicycle tour through the township of Masiphumelele (close to Noordhoek on the Cape Peninsula). Your accredited tour guide will take you to visit a traditional healer, a vibrant gospel church service and a pre-school. Your tour includes tea and snacks at an African home and they’ll even pick you up from your hotel. Awol provides vital two-wheeled transport for locals and jobs for tour guides (AWOL Tours | +27 (0) 21 418 3803). Read more about AWOL's Bicycle Township Tours

Adventure day tours in the Cape Peninsula

For lasting memories; embark on an adrenaline packed, full day adventure day tour of the Cape Peninsula. Adrenaline activities include; a jet ski ride in Hout Bay and a surfing lesson on the False Bay coast, in Muizenberg (Cape Xtreme | +27 (0) 21 422 4198).

Would you rather play with the fishes than be eyed up for dinner? Get up close and personal with playful South African fur seals, during a half day, snorkeling day tour, in the Cape Peninsula. Bearded dive fanatics will transport you to your destination and are eager to introduce you to these lovable mammals (Scuba Shack | +27 (0) 21 424 1115). Read more about Snorkeling with Seals on the Cape Peninsula

Swap four wheels for two on a full day, cycling and hiking tour through the Cape Peninsula. Cycle through stunning Cape Point with an expert tour guide, before indulging in a scrumptious picnic lunch within the reserve (weather permitting, the picnic will be taken on the beach and swimming may be possible). After lunch, hike to the lighthouse in Cape Point and then to the Cape of Good Hope, with breathtaking vistas. Your tour includes entrance fees and a picnic lunch (Day Trippers | +27 (0) 21 – 511 4766).

Ocean adventure day tours in the Cape Peninsula

Make like 007 in ‘Die Another Day’ and sign up for exhilarating kite surfing lessons. Cape Town’s versatility makes it one of the worlds best kite surfing destinations for beginners and professionals alike. The sport, which involves using a power kite to pull a rider through the water on a small surf board, is best done at ‘Kite Beach’ in Table View, where you’re expert instructor will soon have you riding the waves like a professional (Cape Sport Centre | +27 (0) 22 – 772 1114).

View Cape Point through the eyes of thousands of sailors throughout history – from the sea. Accompanied by a fit and energetic tour guide, traverse the ocean via sea kayak on a full day tour. If you’re lucky, you might spot whales and dolphins in False Bay. Additional routes around Cape Point, Cape of Storms and Cape of Good Hope are optional and your tour includes; refreshments, lunch and park entry fees. Good fitness levels are required for this tour (Kayak Cape Town | +27 (0) 82 501 8930).

Nature and photography day tours in the Cape Peninsula

With its stunning seascapes, landscapes, wildlife and floral kingdoms, the Cape Peninsula offers more photographic opportunities than you can shake your camera at. Beginners to advanced photographers can partake in a unique, full day photographic tour of the Cape Peninsula with a knowledgeable guide. Your tour includes; St. James Beach, Boulders Beach, Chapman’s Peak Drive and Hout Bay, with plenty of time permitted, to capture that perfect shot (Cape Point Route | +27 (0) 21  782 9356).

We hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of our favourite day tours in the Cape Peninsula. What’s next on your Cape Town, ‘to-do’ list? Shark diving, or cycling the Winelands, perhaps? For inspiration, be sure to read our informative overviews of Adventure Day Tours, Cultural Day Tours, Township Day Tours, Wildlife and Nature Day Tours and Winelands Day Tours. For a selection of the best, be sure to read out Top Ten Day Tours.

By Lisa Nevitt