Cape Town is a city of many contrasts and natural beauties; we’re blessed with land, ocean, air and mountain all in one and because of this, there are endless adventures to be had.
Although hiking and surfing are two of the city’s more popular outdoor activities, these are not for everyone.
So, if you still want to experience the best in natural beauty our city has to offer and get your adrenaline pumping in different ways, with a professional there by your side, here’s a list of the top 3 air and ocean trips in Cape Town to enjoy:
Waterfront Charters
Photo credit: www.waterfrontcharters.co.za
Waterfront Charters – whose mission is to offer “unique and fun experiences on the water” – allow you to experience the ocean through a variety of daily boat trips and charters, thanks to their luxury sail boats and yachts.
The options include a ride on: Serenity One, Sea Princess, Southern Cross, Esperance and Jet Boat 2. (These are located at the stunning V&A Waterfront, Shop 5, Quay 5.)
If you have something special to celebrate, then Sea Princess is your answer. This purpose-built Catamaran caters especially to corporate charters, special events and private functions, requiring a minimum of 50 passengers in order to set sail.
Perhaps two of the most popular of Waterfront Charter trips are the Champagne and Sunset Champagne Cruises. Similar in nature, the greatest difference between them is that the Champagne Cruise departs two hours earlier. (Rates for this cruise are R280 p/p (adults) and R140 p/p (children), prices valid until 31 December 2016.)
Enjoy seeing the Mother City’s breath-taking views and Table Mountain out on the ocean, as the sun dips behind the horizon with the Sunset Champagne Cruise.
On-board, they’ll serve a complimentary glass of local sparkling wine per person or a bottle per couple. Please note: while kids are welcome, this is primarily an adult cruise.
Photo credit: www.waterfrontcharters.co.za
For this, your two options lie between ‘Sunset Under Sail’ (on sail boats, Esperance or Serenity One), which takes you across Table Bay towards Millerton Lighthouse, then onto the shelter Granger Bay to watch the sun set before finally returning to the Waterfront – or ‘Sunset on a Motor Vessel’ (on either Sea Princess or Southern Cross), which, because it is not wind-dependent, can cruise along the Atlantic Seaboard towards Clifton Beach before returning to the Waterfront.
Rates (valid until 31 December 2016) are R330 per adult and R165 per child, though you can save 10% when buying online.
And last but not least is the Jet Boat Cruise to Clifton. This trip requires a minimum of 4 passengers and involves an hour and a half cruise to Clifton and back with Time at Anchor.
Rates (available to adults only): R900 per person, save 10% when booking online.
For more info on Waterfront Charters, please see www.waterfrontcharters.co.za.
Cape Town Tandem Paragliding
Photo credit: www.capetown.travel
Started in 2007, this company operates with highly experienced and fully certified tandem flight instructors and offers instructional tandem flights for anyone keen to experience paragliding.
They take people of all ages and abilities, as well as those with various disabilities. Zero experience is required from your side, as your instructor will guide you in both the take-offs and soft landings.
Most commonly, they paraglide from Lion’s Head and Signal Hill sites, due to the amazing views of Table Mountain and Cape Town that these options provide, but there are also flying sites found at Sir Lowry’s Pass (near Somerset West), Franschhoek and Hermanus.
Flights can last anywhere between 5-30 minutes, depending on the wind conditions. Rates: (Cape Town) R1, 150 p/p; inflight photos and videos (R250) and transfer (1 person only, R200); transfer (2 people or more, R100 p/p).
Book today to glide across the sky. For more info, please see www.paradglide.co.za.
NAC Helicopters Rides & Tours
With their chartered or private helicopters rides in Cape Town, NAC Helicopters allow you to explore the “scenic wonders of the Cape Peninsula from the marvellous heights of one of (our) helicopters.”
Discover the colourful Cape and its cultures, see the jagged Cape Point headland at the southern-most tip of the Cape Peninsula, witness the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and finally, feast your eyes on the rugged majesty of Table Mountain, all while safely abroad one of these safe and trusted helicopters.
Photo credit: www.nightjartravel.com
Tour options include:
The Hopper Tour: lasts 15 minutes, leaves from the V&A Waterfront and flies over the City Bowl, Green Point, Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay and Twelve Apostles).
The Atantico Tour: lasts for 20 minutes and flies over Green Point, Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay, Twelve Apostles, Llandudno and Hout Bay – with great views of Seal Island too!
The Three Bays Tour: lasts for 30 minutes and takes you over Camps Bay, Twelve Apostles, Hout Bay, Noordhoek (via the impressive Chapman’s Peak) and onto Muizenberg and Constantia.
The Cape Point Tour: lasts for 50 minutes and continues on from the Three Bays option via Kommetjie, Scarborough, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape Point proper and Simon’s Town.
Rates (all valid until 31 August 2017) for each tour run as follows:
- The Hopper Tour – R3420.00 for up to 3 people
- The Atlantico Tour – R4380.00 for up to 3 people
- The Three Bays Tour – R6450.00 for up to 3 people
- The Cape Point Tour – R12, 900.00 for up to 3 people.
For more info, please contact Villas in Cape Town for discounted rates.
Conclusion: So there you have it – the top 3 air and ocean adventures and tours in Cape Town. Book today to enjoy the Mother City from either ocean and air in these new and exciting, yet ultimately, safe ways.
