Cape Town Shore Excursions
4 & 5* Cape Town Shore Excursions
Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Day Tour from Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 9 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 54.37
Cape Town
Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point Small Group Tour Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 69.56
Cape Town
5-Star Small-Group: Cape of Good Hope, Penguins & Bo-Kaap Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 54.08
Cape Town
Cape Town Wine Tour: Stellenbosch & Franschhoek +Tastings & Lunch
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 118.33
Cape Town
African Story Wine Tours in the Cape Winelands
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 124.73
Cape Town
Private Tour: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point from Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 166.31
Cape Town
Private Wine Tour with Wine Expert to Stellenbosch-Franschhoek Wine Regions
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 230.20
Cape Town
Big Five Safari and Breede River Valley Guided Day Trip
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 172.70
Cape Town
All-Inclusive Private Tour: Table Mountain, Cape Point & Penguins
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 11 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 69.56
Cape Town
Half Day Boulders Penguins and Cape Point Small Group Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 - 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 54.37
Cape Town
Table Mountain, Boulder's Penguins & Cape Point Private Tour from Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 201.49
Cape Town
Supersaver: Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Day Tour from Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 47.97
Cape Town
Cape Peninsula Full Day Tour in Private Car
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 6 - 9 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 260.00
Cape Town
Cape Winelands Luxury Wine Tour Tastings, Lunch & Cheese Pairing
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 9 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 284.64
Cape Town
Penguin Encounter Boulders Beach Half Tour Day from Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 40.94
Cape Town
Robben Island Tour including Pick Up & Drop Off from Cape Town
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 60.77
Cape Town
Best of Cape Town Full-Day Private Tour with Table Mountain
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 201.49
Cape Town
Cape Town Private Tour: Cape of Good hope & Boulders Penguins
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 182.30
Cape Town
Cape Town Uncovered : Half-Day City Tour with Table Mountain Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 - 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 79.95
Cape Town
Private Tour Of Penguins, Cape Of Good Hope & Peninsula.
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 204.68
Cape Town
Seal Island,Cape of Good Hope&Penguins Shared Tour,From Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 9 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 47.97
Cape Town
Cape Town Day Safari – Aquila Game Reserve with Lunch & Park Fees
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 351.80
Cape Town
Cape Town: Robben Island Tour: Pre-Booked Ticket and Transfers
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 60.00
Cape Town
Cape Town Private Group Tour to Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Penguins Colony
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 351.80
Cape Town
Cheetah Outreach Tour Somerset West, Gordon's Bay and Strand Beaches
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 59.17
Cape Town
African Food and Storytelling Tour Cape Town City Centre
Duration: 2 - 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 115.13
Cape Town
Cape Peninsula Private Tour with entrance fees to Cape of Good Hope and Penguins
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 271.85
Cape Town
Private Stellenbosch, Franschhoek Paarl Wine Tour from Cape Town
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 143.44
Cape Town
Full-Day Cape Town Private Transfers and Chauffeur Services
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 24 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 334.21
Cape Town
Full Day Cape Point Sightseeing Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 31.66
Related destinations to Cape Town
What should a first-time visitor know about shore excursions in Cape Town?
If you've never visited Cape Town before, expect a compact but richly varied experience from a single port call. Plan realistic priorities because travel times between harbour, Table Mountain and coastal venues eat into available hours; allow buffer for embarkation and disembarkation procedures. Local transport, traffic and weather can change schedules, so confirm pickup times and meeting points in advance. Bring identification, modest cash for small purchases and sunscreen, and allow time to return to the ship. Many organised options labelled as Cape Town shore excursions include port transfers and timed returns.
Which top attractions can I see during a short stop in Cape Town?
Many visitors aim to see Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Signal Hill and the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap in a short visit. Robben Island requires a fixed ferry schedule and often needs prior booking, while Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Cape Peninsula demand longer transfers. Consider your ship’s berth and the time you have ashore when selecting sites, and allow time for queues at popular viewpoints. Guided coaches, hop-on buses and walking routes offer differing perspectives, and some Cape Town tours bundle nearby attractions to make efficient use of limited port time.
How do half-day excursions compare with full-day options?
Choosing between a half-day and a full-day itinerary depends on time, interests and energy levels. Half-day experiences normally focus on a single focal area such as the city centre and Table Mountain or a short coastal drive, reducing transit and giving time to return comfortably before sailing. Full-day itineraries allow exploration of the Cape Peninsula, Cape Winelands or Robben Island combined with multiple stops, but they require early starts and include more time on the road. Consider seasonal daylight, personal pace and whether you prefer focused sightseeing or broader exploration when selecting Cape Town shore excursions.
How can I experience Cape Town's culture and history during a port visit?
To understand local heritage, include visits that explain colonial history, apartheid-era sites and contemporary community life. Museum stops, guided neighbourhood walks in Bo-Kaap and District Six, and Robben Island tours provide layered perspectives, while conversation with local guides adds context often omitted in brief visits. Check whether entrance times and guided slots fit your ship's schedule, and allow time for respectful photography and learning. Smaller group experiences or themed Cape Town tours focused on history and community can deepen insight without requiring a full day ashore.
What natural scenery and outdoor options are available near the port?
Dramatic coastlines, mountains and nearby nature reserves are core reasons people disembark here. Short excursions can take you up Table Mountain via cable car or along scenic drives to Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, while full-day trips reach Cape Point, Boulders Beach and False Bay for wildlife viewing. Weather can affect visibility on the mountain and sea conditions for coastal excursions, so build flexibility into your plans. Pack layers and waterproofs, and allow for moderate walking on trails and boardwalks; wildlife encounters and sweeping views are common on many Cape Town shore excursions.
Where can I try local food during a short visit to Cape Town?
Local cuisine reflects Cape Town's multicultural influences, blending Cape Malay spices, fresh seafood, Afrikaner braai traditions and contemporary fusion. Markets such as the V&A Food Market and neighbourhood cafés in Bo-Kaap and Tamboerskloof offer quick sampling opportunities suitable for limited port time. Wine tasting in nearby estates can be condensed into focused visits if time permits, but factor in transfer times and alcohol policies for cruise passengers. Street food and small restaurants provide accessible tasting without long reservations, and many guided Cape Town tours include food stops or market visits with sampling recommendations.
What activity levels should I expect from typical excursions?
Expect a range of activity levels, from gentle sightseeing and scenic drives to stair climbs, walking tours and moderate hikes. Urban excursions and harbour-area visits tend to be low-impact with mostly level walking, whereas trips that include Table Mountain, Cape Point or coastal trails may involve uneven paths, steps and significant elevation change. Check excursion descriptions for walking distances, surface conditions and fitness recommendations, and communicate mobility limitations to the operator. Bring comfortable footwear, water and sun protection if you plan to be active; many Cape Town shore excursions specify the exertion required in their itineraries.
How accessible are attractions for travellers with mobility needs?
Accessibility at attractions varies, with many sites making improvements but older historic locations retaining uneven surfaces and steps. Key visitor hubs such as the V&A Waterfront, Kirstenbosch and the Table Mountain cable car terminals offer ramps, accessible toilets and marked routes, though some viewing platforms and beaches remain challenging. Robben Island and certain nature trails present limitations due to boats and rugged terrain. Confirm accessibility details, vehicle modifications and assistance availability when booking, and consider smaller group Cape Town tours or private transfers tailored to mobility requirements to avoid surprises.
When is the best time of year to plan a visit from a cruise?
Weather and seasonal factors influence what you can comfortably fit into a port day. Summer months bring warm, dry conditions ideal for beaches and coastal drives but also increased visitor numbers; summers run from November to March in the southern hemisphere. Winter includes cooler temperatures and occasional heavy rain, which can close trails and obscure mountain views. Shoulder seasons often offer mild weather, fewer crowds and pleasant daylight hours. Check local forecasts and the shipping schedule, and select activities that tolerate variable weather when booking Cape Town shore excursions.
Should I join a guided excursion or explore independently from the ship?
Deciding between a guided option and exploring independently depends on priorities such as context, time and comfort with local logistics. Guided outings deliver structured itineraries, local knowledge and included transfers that reduce the risk of missing the ship, while independent exploration gives freedom to linger and adapt on the fly but requires attention to timing, transport and safety. If time ashore is limited, a guided Cape Town tours option can be more efficient; for experienced travellers comfortable with local buses, taxis and maps, self-directed visits can be rewarding and flexible.
Which cruise lines visit Cape Town?
Cunard, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Azamara, Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line will all visit Cape Town this year.
What cruise ships will sail to Cape Town in 2026?
Cape Town will be visited by Queen Anne, Arcadia, Voyager of the Seas, Queen Mary 2, MSC Magnifica, MSC Opera, Crown Princess, Azamara Journey, Oceania Sirena, Oceania Regatta, Azamara Onward and Norwegian Sun.