The V&A Waterfront offers so many possibilities for all ages, that you can simply pick your preferred activity and enjoy a fun day in the heart of the City. The Waterfront welcomes you with spectacular views of Table Mountain, the Harbour and the City.
Besides the many restaurants, the huge shopping mall and fun street entertainment, you will also find numerous family-friendly activities within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront. Let’s explore some of the most popular options!
Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium
This activity is not only for those rainy Cape Town days, it’s a real adventure all year around. Enter a unique underwater world with over 3,000 creatures to discover. You can explore various exhibits and experiences during your stay and we promise, it won’t get boring! You’ll see anything from jelly fish, penguins, sharks, rays, musselcrackers, indigenous fishes and much more! Find out more: TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM
The Aquarium is open Monday – Friday 09:30 – 18:00 and Saturday – Sunday from 09:00 – 18:00.
Take a fun ride on SA’s first amphibious vehicle
The Waterfront Duck is a brand new addition to the V&A Waterfront and so much fun for the entire family. You’ll start the 1 hour tour in the Silo District from where the Duck Boat will drive you around some iconic city sights. Then, the actual exciting part starts when the bus hits the water and starts floating around the Victoria and Alfred basins. Get those cameras ready for some epic pics and breathtaking views! Plus, you’ll get to see some sun-bathing seals and the most spectacular views of Table Mountain. Find out more: WATERFRONT DUCK
Tours operate daily between 07:00 – 19:00 (season and weather dependant).
Catch spectacular views from the Cape Wheel
The iconic Cape Wheel has re-opened its Gondolas at the new location at the V&A Waterfront. While it was previously established right in front of the shopping mall, it has now moved to a quieter location known as Breakwater Park. You will still get spectacular panoramic views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean from 40 metres above the ground. Each ride takes about 15 minutes where you can enjoy the Mother City from the top. There are also two wheelchair friendly cabins available, making this an unforgettable experience for everyone. Find out more: CAPE WHEEL
The Cape Wheel operates daily between 10:00 – 22:00.
Dig for diamonds and play some cave golf
Let your children enter a world full of minerals with thousands and thousands of colourful stones to collect and dig for. It’s really fun for young and old while sitting down in the scratch patch and searching for the prettiest stones all over the place. Depending on the stamina of your child, this can be a time consuming activity and lots of fun at the same time. When you’re done collecting your treasures, you can end of your time at the Scratch Patch with a round of some cave mini golf.
This 18-hole mini-golf layout at the Waterfront is fun to play, and despite being relatively short and compact, it’s well-designed and challenging enough to be enjoyed even by regular golfers. It’s also indoors, so can be played and enjoyed in any weather! Find out more: SCRATCH PATCH & CAVE GOLF
Open Monday to Sunday from 09:00 – 16:45.
Get your Adrenaline going with some Free Fall Action
This spectacular free fall tower built on the 28th floor of the Sky Hotel is one of only three in the world and the first of its kind in Africa. This is surely not for the faint-hearted person and you need to be an adrenaline junkie in order to enjoy the experience.
That’s why this activity is only suitable for children from the age of 8. If you’re at least 1,30m tall, then nothing is in your way to have some massive fun high up above the city centre. Find out more: SKY-HI RIDE
Enjoy some Skate and Bike Fun at Battery Park
On a beautiful, sunny day Battery Park is where the youngsters take out their bikes and skateboards in order to practice new skills high up over the roofs of Cape Town. The skate and scooter park is the first skate park of this quality built within the city to world class skate park standards using lightweight construction. The open park also features a decent basketball field and a big green lawn to play soccer or other fun games.
The park is built on top of a four-story parking building and you can either access it via Alfred Street or Dock Road. Access is 100% free. Find out more: BATTERY PARK
Hit the sea in the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat
Enter the wide open sea with Jack Sparrow and his fellow pirates when you go onboard the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat! This is a one-of-a-kind experience for young and old and surely a trip to remember as this is the only Pirate Boat in South Africa!
The adventure starts at Quay 5 at the V&A Waterfront where the Pirate Boat leaves the harbour four times a day/every day and you can choose between a Morning, Lunchtime, Afternoon or Sunset Cruise. Find out more: JOLLY ROGER PIRATE BOAT
Burn off energy at a fun Indoor Play Park
PlayDate Super Park is conveniently located at the V&A Waterfront, so it’s a perfect opportunity to combine the play fun with some shopping and other activities around the harbour. The PlayDate SuperPark offers a huge variety for young and old and you could easily spend a couple of hours in there. PlayDate target age group is 0-12 years old and play starts on the hour. So it is always best to book online to avoid disappointment in case they do get quite busy. Find our more: PLAYDATE SUPER PARK
The Play Park is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 – 18:00.
Enjoy relaxing market vibes
With plenty of outside seating space under huge stretch tents, that provide shade in summer, you can enjoy relaxed vibes, good music and food as well as fabulous ocean views at the Oranjezicht Market. The market offers freshly produced goods from freshly squeezed juices, pastry, bread and fungi, vegetarian and vegan dishes, vegan ice-cream, burgers, pizza, meat… Surely anyone will find something to their liking and you can simply enjoy a great market atmosphere. Toilets are on site and in case you need some cash, you’ll also find an ATM at the market. All people from young and old, joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers and families are welcome and invited to join the market either during the day on weekends or attend the special Wednesday Night Market from 5pm to 9pm. Find out more: ORANJEZICHT MARKET
