If you’re planning a vacation to South Africa, then you’ll almost certainly be spending time in Cape Town. Named for the Cape of Good Hope, and the southernmost city in Africa, Cape Town is an incredible destination. Surrounded by epic landscapes, beaches, cliffs and wineries, Cape Town is packed with outdoor attractions and scenery. However, the cultural mecca is also home to colorful neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap, the historic Robben Island and world-class museums.
While there is so much that you can enjoy while in Cape Town, it is also worth escaping the city for a day and seeing the surrounding region. From wineries to penguin colonies, here are just a few of the best day trips from Cape Town to enjoy.
7. Langebaan

A 90-minute drive outside of Cape Town brings you to Langebaan, a coastal town located on the shores of Saldanha Bay. The main reason to head to Langebaan is to experience a relaxed beach that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of Cape Town. There are still traditional heritage fishing villages along the coast, and small wooden fishing boats dot the blue horizon.
Restaurants located right on the beach let you dig your toes into the sand as you dine on fresh seafood that was caught earlier that day. Kitesurfing is also a popular pastime, and you can take kitesurfing lessons on the beach at Langebaan.
Getting to Langebaan
- Many people opt to take a guided tour, as this enables them to see as much of the Western Cape as is possible in just one day. As well as visiting the lovely villages of Langebaan and Yzerfontein, guests also stop off to taste delicious local produce along the way and view the beautiful birds and flowers found in the West Coast National Park. (More info and bookings)
6. Great White Shark Cage Diving
If you’re a serious adrenaline junkie in search of the next big thrill, then great white shark cage diving may be the solution. There are several places around Cape Town where you can try this incredible experience. As the name suggests, you’re scuba diving within a cage, and great white sharks come right up to your protected space.
Gaansbaai, about two hours south of Cape Town, offers shark cage diving throughout the year. In the South African winters, or between June and October, it is possible to try great white shark cage diving in False Bay, which is under an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
Taking a Cage Diving Tour
- The only way to experience the thrill of Great White Sharks circling you is to take a cage diving tour; this really will offer unforgettable memories. After having been driven to Gansbaai, it is time to suit up and learn all about the huge predators from a marine biologist before entering the underwater world in your protective cage. (More info and bookings)
5. West Coast National Park
Every year during the spring months of August and September, certain parts of South Africa burst into a kaleidoscope of colors with their impressive display of various wild flowers. The West Coast National Park is the perfect area for a day trip from Cape Town to see the wild flowers, as it is located right next to the town of Langebaan.
Outside the wildflower season, the white sand beaches and small islands in the Saldanha Bay are the top attractions in the park, and the whole area is a popular birdwatching destination. Plenty of hiking trails lead you along the coast, and there are countless vantage points beloved by photographers. You may even spot some local wildlife, which can include springbok, Cape mountain zebras, ostriches and wildebeest.
Getting to West Coast National Park
- A fun and friendly way to explore this wonderful part of the Western Cape is to take a full-day guided tour. This not only takes you to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the national park, but it also lets you sample some of the region’s fantastic local produce as you go. With stops at Langebaan, Yzerfontein, and Khwa ttu village also included, it is an action-packed day with loads for you to see and do. (More info and bookings)
4. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony
Boulders Beach is a stunning destination just outside of Cape Town that offers beautiful scenery, but the main attraction is definitely the penguins. Just 20 years ago, African penguins settled in this area, and now the colony is large and uses Boulder Beach as its breeding ground.
You can often spot penguins throughout the coastal area, but a small fee can take you right to the heart of it all. There are only a limited number of people allowed on the beach with the penguins in a given day, so getting there early ensures you’ll get the chance to see them up close.
Getting to Boulders Beach
- As the lively penguin colony is located just outside of Simon’s Town, the best way to get there by public transport is to take a direct train from Cape Town; these take roughly an hour and ten minutes. Once you arrive, Boulders Beach is around a 40-minute walk away, so you can either take a taxi there or wander through Simon’s Town sightseeing as you go.
- If you don’t feel like driving or taking the train there yourself, you may want to consider taking a guided tour. As well as taking you to see the adorable African penguins, you’ll also pass along the beautiful Chapman’s Peak road and visit the Cape of Good Hope for some fantastic views over the ocean. (More info and bookings)
3. Hermanus
South of Cape Town is Hermanus, a seaside town known for its spectacular whale watching opportunities. If you want to spot whales in their natural habitats, then Hermanus is the ideal place to do so. Southern Right Whales migrate along the coast annually, and they tend to make a stop at Hermanus to calve and to care for their young.
The best time of year to spot whales is from June all the way through to December. A boat trip can get you up close and personal with Southern Right Whales, Bryde Whales and Humpback Whales. However, it is also entirely possible to spot whales right from the shoreline, which is a cheaper option for travelers on a budget.
Getting to Hermanus
- To see whales up close in their natural habitat, many visitors to Cape Town take a whale watching tour to Hermanus, as whales breed just off of the coast. On your boat trip, you’ll have the chance to see whales, dolphins, and seals; catching a glimpse of the majestic creatures is exhilarating. After that, the tour culminates in a visit to Hermanus and a stop at a local winery to sample some of its delicious produce. (More info and bookings)
2. Stellenbosch
Inland from Cape Town is Stellenbosch, which is located smack dab in the heart of Cape Winelands. While the region is home to countless wineries and vineyards, serious oenophiles know that Stellenbosch is the center of it all.
Wine tours are the number one attraction in Stellenbosch, or you can map out your own tour for tastings at each stop. As a major wine destination, the food in Stellenbosch is fantastic. On Church Street, in particular, you’ll find well over a dozen wonderful eateries, many of which have menu items paired specifically with local wines.
The city itself is also home to a large university, an abundance of Cape Dutch architecture and impressive nightlife.
Getting to Stellenbosch
- As most people visit Stellenbosch for its vineyards and wineries, the best way to see a number of them in one day is to take a guided tour. In addition to stopping off and sampling delicious wines at various estates, you’ll also get taken around the town itself and to Franschhoek – a lovely little village. (More info and bookings)
1. Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point
At the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula is the Cape of Good Hope, a must-see destination on your Cape Town trip. As you get close, you’ll enter the Table Mountain National Park. From the Cape of Good Hope, you can look out over False Bay and perhaps even spot a few migrating whales.
On the cape itself is Cape Point, a spectacular destination with breathing views over stone cliffs, lush green valleys and beautiful beaches. Cape Point boasts miles of hiking paths, making it the perfect place to work up a sweat or snap some photographs.
Getting to Cape of Good Point
- An easy way to visit Cape Point is to take a guided tour of the Cape Peninsula. As well as seeing the Cape of Good Hope, you’ll also see penguins in Simon’s Town, seals at Hout Bay, and explore the delightful botanical gardens of Kirstenbosch. (More info and bookings)
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