Trains, Boats & Sightseeing in Cape Town

Several operators run short, family-friendly cruises around the V&A Waterfront's working harbour. Read more

Setting

Outdoor harbour cruises

Hours

Daily departures · operator and weather dependent

Pedal boating on the canals at Battery Park at the V&A Waterfront is a great fun activity with kids. It is free in the week of your birthday before 12pm (bring your ID). They are closed when the weather is not great.

Setting

Outdoor canal activity

easy parking, not pram or wheelchair friendly, feeding friendly, no food, no play zones, dog friendly.

Hours

Mon–Sun 11–4pm · closed in bad weather

Three operators run short cruises from Hout Bay Harbour to the Cape fur seal colony at Duiker Island. Trips take roughly 40–45 minutes and are suitable for a quick family outing, although all departures depend on weather and sea conditions. Read more

Setting

Outdoor boat trips

Hours

Daily departures · operator and weather dependent

The original operator, running since 1972, and the only glass-bottomed boat from Hout Bay. R130 adults (14+) · R65 children (up to 13). Bookings via WhatsApp.

Setting

Outdoor boat trip

Hours

Mon–Sun 9–3:45pm · Departures 9am, 9:45am, 10:30am and 3pm · also 12pm at weekends · weather permitting

A stable catamaran trip from Hout Bay Harbour to the Duiker Island seal colony, lasting about 45 minutes. Tickets are R160 for adults and R80 for children under 12, with a bar on board.

Setting

Outdoor boat trip

Needs a minimum of 20 people, so phone the day before to confirm the trip is running.

Hours

Mon–Fri 8–5pm · Sat & Sun 8–4pm · Departure times vary

A purpose-built boat with open decks for 360° views on a roughly 40-minute cruise to the Duiker Island seal colony. Tickets are R150 for adults and R75 for children under 14.

Setting

Outdoor boat trip

Hours

Daily departures · confirm the current time

A gentle 25–30-minute open-air cruise through the working harbour with commentary about its maritime history and close-up views of ships, seals and landmarks such as the Clock Tower, Bascule Bridge and SAS Somerset. Boats usually depart every 30 minutes. Read more

Setting

Outdoor harbour cruise

Weather-dependent; call on the day if conditions look uncertain.

Hours

Mon–Sun 8–5pm · Departures roughly every 30 minutes

A relaxed 30-minute cruise aboard the 40-seater Dawn around the Old Harbour and International Docks, with guides sharing stories about the working port while families look for seals and seabirds. Read more

Setting

Outdoor harbour cruise

Trips only stop for gales or storms; take motion-sickness medication beforehand if needed.

Hours

Mon–Sun 8:30–7pm · Office hours · departure times vary

A 30-minute harbour circuit on the 47ft double-decker Une Belle Vie, with Table Mountain behind the working docks and a cash bar on board. Scheduled departures currently run daily at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm; check in 20 minutes before sailing.

Setting

Outdoor double-decker harbour cruise

A minimum passenger count applies, and weather may change the route or departure.

Hours

Mon–Sun 11:30–4:30pm · departures through the day

The easiest family route to the top of Table Mountain. The cable car's floor rotates on the way up, so everyone gets the full view, and at the top there are easy, flat walking paths, dassies, a café and toilets. Read more

Setting

Outdoor mountain sightseeing

Strong wind, cloud or annual maintenance can suspend the Cableway at short notice, so check the live status on their site or app before you go. A ticket does not remove the boarding queue. Tickets are valid for seven days and refundable if the weather stops you, and buying anywhere but Webtickets risks a ticket that is not valid. Park at the bottom of Tafelberg Road and take the free shuttle. One-way tickets are R300 an adult and R165 a child, up or down, if you are walking the other leg. First car up is currently 8:30am and the last down is 7pm.

Hours

Mon–Sun 8:30–5pm · Weather permitting · times change seasonally

A 15-minute ride with four revolutions in a fully enclosed, air-conditioned cabin, rising 40 metres above the Waterfront for views of the harbour, city, Table Mountain and Robben Island. South African adults pay R180 with ID, ages 4–17 pay R95 and under-4s ride free. Read more

Setting

Enclosed observation wheel

Hours

Mon–Sun 10am–10pm · Sep–Apr · May–Aug Mon–Thu 11–9pm, Fri–Sat 10–10pm, Sun 10–9pm

Open-top hop-on, hop-off sightseeing across the Red City, Blue Mini Peninsula and Purple Constantia Valley routes, with more than 20 stops and unlimited rides for the ticket period. Read more

Setting

Open-top sightseeing bus

Plan one or two priority stops rather than trying to complete every loop with younger children.

Hours

Mon–Sun 8–5pm · Route timetables vary

Africa's first amphibious bus-boat. You start with a guided drive around the Waterfront, then the bright yellow Duck splashes down the slipway into the harbour for a cruise past yachts, seals and the aquarium. Read more

Setting

Amphibious city and harbour tour

Ride free on your birthday when you come with at least one full-paying guest.

Hours

Mon–Sun 8–4pm · multiple departures

South Africa's only pirate-themed boat, with a 45-minute daytime cruise and plenty of character for children who want their boat trip to feel like an adventure. Until 31 October 2026, daytime tickets cost R330 for adults and R220 for children aged 0–12. Read more

Setting

Outdoor pirate-themed coastal cruise

Weather and the minimum passenger count can cancel a sailing; missed cruises are not refunded or rescheduled.

Hours

Fri–Sun & public holidays · daily in school holidays

A locally built electric tram with a classical 1920s look, running a roughly 20-minute loop from Ratanga Park to Central Park and back. No booking; card only.

Setting

Outdoor

Every weekend and public holiday. Operating days will be at the sole discretion of management. Closed on wet weather days. Operating times between 10:00 – 17:00. Last tram ride departing at 16:30 as per the schedule. Closed 25 December 2026 & 01 January 2027.

Booking

No booking required · buy tickets at the boarding platform · card only

Old-school seaside park with its miniature blue train running again, plus a natural-wood playground, bikes and climbing.

Setting

Outdoor park & miniature railway

Hours

Wed–Sun 10–6pm · school & public holidays 10–6pm · last train 5:30pm

Miniature railway park with a roughly seven-minute ride through a tunnel and over a bridge, plus lawns, jungle gyms and a tractor museum. The 2026 entry price is R100 with one train ride or R155 with unlimited rides. Read more

Setting

Outdoor miniature railway park

Hours

Sat & Sun 9–4:30pm · public & school holidays 9–4:30pm · last train 4:15pm