Adventure Sports and Activities Around Cape Town
If you enjoy high adventure and adrenaline sports, you've come to the right place. Beside all the day trips, shopping and sightseeing available, there are number of adventure activities guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush and fill your days with fun.One of the appeals of Cape Town is the variety of activities to enjoy. Cape Town's natural environs make it the perfect destination for literally whatever it is you want to do. Adrenaline sports like abseiling, bungy jumping, skydiving and white water rafting can be arranged. Shark diving, scuba diving, sailing and almost all other water sports are easy to book and gentler nature based activities are a quick drive away. You are never bored in Cape Town! The following are brief descriptions of some of the activities available during your visit.
Book Cape Town Adventure Sports here.
Kloofing
Get a whole new perspective on hiking, with an exhilarating day in the mountains. Kloofing involves hiking into a gorge, then following the course of a young river down its rocky descent and jumping into crystal clear pools from heights of 2 metres (6.5 feet) to 15 metres (49.2 feet) - or even higher for the truly Kamikaze. This activity is definitely a rush to rival whitewater rafting or bungy jumping but with a hefty dose of spectacular scenery thrown in.
Boating
If you think you can handle 2 hours of adrenaline-pumping power into the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, cross your fingers and experience the ride of your life. The worse the weather, the better the ride! While you are offered the best in heart stopping excitement, you'll be perfectly safe in the hands of qualified and experienced skippers and the boat itself is equipped with the latest in safety features. You will be required to wear life jackets, crash helmets and foul weather gear (all provided). You'll need it!
Depending on the sea conditions, the skipper will choose the best route to provide the ultimate ride of your life! The boat leaves from the V&A Waterfront 3 times a day, 7 days a week. The 3 route options vary but all include a pass by Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay and Robben Island before heading back to the Waterfront. Enjoy the inviting scenery of the 12 Apostles shadowing Camps Bay while looking for waves and swells to excite you.
Sea Kayaking
One of the most peaceful yet thrilling adventures to experience while visiting the Cape is kayaking. It is in the waters of Cape Town, among few other places in the world, where the adventurous can enjoy kayaking alongside Whales and Dolphins while taking in the amazing scenery of the Cape coastline. Experienced guides take you through the rippling waters of the Atlantic in sturdy kayaks safe enough for beginners.
Mountain Biking
Cape Town provides the perfect setting for mountain biking, descending down Table Mountain to the city. Halfway along the ride there is also the opportunity to cool off and take a swim. Mountain biking is definitely the best way to take in the views of Table Bay, Robben Island, Lions Head and the city with the added bonus of experiencing nature and the mountain firsthand. Equipment (bike, helmet and water bottle), transportation up the mountain and an expert guide is provided. Bring sturdy shoes, sun block, sunglasses, swimming costume, energy and enthusiasm.
Horse Riding Through the Winelands
The good thing about a wine tour on Horseback is once the bubbly kicks in, you stop worrying about falling off, especially if you have never been on a Horse before. The Horses you will be riding are tame, and seldom go much faster than a gentle walk. You will be guided on horseback through the beautiful Franschhoek Valley while stopping off for some of the world's best wine tasting.
The tour is approximately 2 and half hours and takes you through the Vineyards visiting 3 different Wine farms, Mont Rochelle, Grand Provence and Cabriere or Rickety Bridge, but individual itineraries can be arranged with advance notice. Mont Rochelle also offers champagne Breakfast rides of approximately 2 hours and sundowner rides, which last about an hour and a half. Beginners and experienced riders are welcome.
Riding lessons are offered and picnic baskets can be arranged. For experienced riders, there are scenic rides through the hills and valleys of Franschhoek. Be sure to have a good Breakfast before you go, as there is plenty of Wine to taste!
Wine Route Canoe Adventure
One hour from Cape Town, the Wine Route offers an idyllic getaway on the Breede River outside Worcester. Relaxing, eating, drinking and tanning are all you have to worry about as you paddle lazily in a 2-man Mohawk canoe. This trip is ideal for family or corporate groups. The bird life is abundant and the vegetation lush.
For the more active, volleyball and other beach games can be organised. This is a summer season trip and generally days are sunny, however there is rain on occasion. Be prepared for all conditions by bringing sun block, a windbreaker and other wet / dry gear. Over night trips or longer expeditions can be arranged.
Orange River Canoe Adventure
A river adventure on the Orange River is more than merely a river ride. The Richtersveld area with the majestic Orange River flowing through is awesomely beautiful flora. Enjoy days of relaxation, visual beauty, incredible sunsets, nights filled with fun around the campfire and peaceful sleep under the stars.
Graded an 'easy 2', the Orange River adventure is safe for the whole family, with a choice of 4 or 6 day packages. All canoeing equipment (e.g. a 2 man mohawk canoe, paddle, life-jacket) is supplied. Experienced guides will accompany you providing catering, safety instructions and assistance.
Breede River Rafting Adventure
Spend an exciting and relaxing weekend exploring the beautiful Breede River, just 2 hours from Cape Town. Spend your days paddling the tranquil waters of the Breede, and your nights socialising around the campfire. You will experience 5 star bush cuisine, comfortable beds, hot showers, flushing toilets and all the adventure and serenity you can handle.
Choose from two outstanding camps:
Round the Bend Situated among trees on the banks of the river, it's a favourite if you desire a total getaway from city life. You will be accommodated in cosy thatched A-frame chalets in a magnificent riverside setting. Duvets are supplied.
Up the Creek Situated on a hilltop overlooking the river is a restored Cape Dutch farmhouse surrounded by a laager of covered ox-wagons fitted with double beds. Sleep in the ox-wagons, in shared bunkrooms, in the farmhouse or in the cosy framed chalets. Duvets are supplied on request. The prices include 2 nights' cosy accommodation, delicious food in vast quantities, all river equipment and professional guides who cater for your every need both on the river and off.
Sand Boarding
Spend a full day charging down the largest dunes in the Cape for the most progressive adrenaline sport on the planet. Travel in a tour vehicle to either Betty's Bay on the East Coast or Atlantis on the West Coast (depending on the weather) and enjoy the rush of boarding down the sandy dunes.
The latest high performance equipment (specially adapted sandboards, protective boots and binding systems), energy packed vegetarian lunch, refreshments and professional instruction of the latest techniques are provided.
For the snowboard enthusiasts ready to hit the snow, sandboarding is the perfect stepping-stone to acquiring the skills needed at a fraction of the cost. Sand is much softer than snow; making beginner falls more fun than dangerous. Bring sunscreen, a cap, sunglasses and a pair of socks.
Shark Cage Diving
For those who wish to add Shark Cage Diving to their list of adrenaline adventures, hop into the cage, be lowered approximately 1,5m (4.9 feet) below the surface into a different world and experience the closeness to these beautiful creatures. Here you make use of a secure, 2 man steel cage, which floats on the surface. Divers are rotated and can do between 2 and 4 dives per day. Tours run daily, weather permitting.
Shark Alley is located near Gansbaai, South Africa and is one of a mere handful of places in the world where the magnificent predator can be found on a daily basis. These Sharks are surface feeders and are happy to come and perform just inches away from the boat. You don't need to be a diver to get close. So whether you choose to stay dry or get wet, amazing close up photographs of the great White Sharks in action are assured. Sightings occur on over 90% of trips.
Many Shark diving operators participate in education, research and conservation to protect great White Sharks. In addition, many Shark diving expeditions are within ocean conservation areas and only qualified operators who adhere to strict professionalism and high safety standards are issued government permits to operate in these areas.
Abseiling and Kloofing Kamikaze Canyon
Kamikaze Canyon is a full day of pure African adrenaline. You head out for a 45 minute drive along False Bay to the canyon. You start the adventure with a short hike in the beautiful gorge to the crystal clear rock pools where you spend the morning kloofing (jumping off the rocks into the water). The jumps start at 3 metres (1.8 miles) and get progressively higher, up to the awesome 23m (14.2 miles) Kamikaze jump for the ultimate thrill!
After lunch, your day ends by conquering the big one, Thunderfalls, which is a mind-blowing 65m (40.3 feet) abseil through a magnificent waterfall. The guides give you the necessary instructions, strap you into your harness and over you go down 65m (40.3 feet) of water, air and earth. AWESOME!!!
Please note that none of the jumps are compulsory.