Cape Point
Spend a day exploring the majestic beaches, scenery and wildlife at Cape Point. This spectacular natural attraction sits within a UNESCO-protected reserve in the southern section of Table Mountain National Park. Cape Point marks the southwestern tip of Africa and was originally called the Cape of Storms due to the notoriously turbulent weather conditions. Walk in the footsteps of explorers, such as Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, who navigated this treacherous coastal region in the 1400s.
From Cape Point parking lot, walk uphill or ride the funicular to a lookout point that offers exceptional panoramas. See the lighthouse that once guided ships around the cape and gaze out over the steep cliffs to the secluded bays and beaches and the deep blue water of the Atlantic Ocean. Admire the swaths of fynbos, wildflowers and rolling green hills, which stretch as far as the eye can see.
Follow paths to beaches, shipwrecks and picnic spots and discover monuments to Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama. Walk from the parking lot down to Dias Beach, where you can surf in powerful waves or trek out to the striking rocky headland of the Cape of Good Hope. Take the Shipwreck Trail to see some of the 20-plus recorded shipwrecks around the peninsula.
Keep watch for some of the varied wildlife that inhabits the area. More than 250 bird species, including eagles, ostriches and warblers, can be seen here, as can antelope, baboons and zebras. Visit from June to November for the chance to see migrating southern right whales.
Cape Point is about an 80-minute drive from Cape Town and a 40-minute drive from Simon’s Town. The most convenient way to get here is via rented car or an organized tour. Park in the main lot near the funicular’s lower station.
Cape Point is open daily from dawn until dusk and there is an admission fee. An additional fee is applicable for the funicular. Arrive at dawn to watch the sun come up over False Bay. If you plan to walk the trails then it’s recommended you wear comfortable shoes.
