Cape Agulhas Tour: Penguins & Wine from Cape Town

Three hours to the continent's tip, where two oceans meet

A full-day private tour from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa, with stops at an African penguin colony in Betty's Bay, a wine tasting in the cool-climate Hemel n Aarde region, and the whitewashed cottages of Elim village. The tour includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, all entry fees, and a guide in English or French. You'll spend 10 to 12 hours on the road and at each stop, with time to walk the penguin beach, explore the Cape Agulhas lighthouse, and see the coastline where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cape Agulhas and surroundings

• Visit African penguins at Betty's Bay
• Taste wines in Hemel n Aarde region
• Lunch and whale watching in Hermanus
• Walk around Elim village
• Explore Cape Agulhas and lighthouse

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from Cape Town.
• wine tasting at Hamilton Russell in Hemel n Aarde.
• entry to Stoney Point penguin colony and Cape Agulhas museum and lighthouse.
• chilled bottled water.
• a guide who speaks English or French.

Times

• Every day 07:00

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Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English and French

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 9h before

Ages Adult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Public transport nearby

Operated by Cape Archives Tours

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

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The experience

You start early from Cape Town and drive an hour east to Betty's Bay, where African penguins have nested at Stoney Point beach since the early 20th century. This is one of only two mainland penguin colonies in South Africa, and you'll have time to walk the beach and watch them up close before heading back toward the wine region.

The Hemel n Aarde valley sits close to the sea and at higher altitude than the Cape Winelands, which means the climate favors cool-climate grapes: pinot noir and Chardonnay with crisp acidity and bright fruit. Your wine tasting at Hamilton Russell is included, and the valley's reputation for subtle, elegant wines is earned. From there, the route passes through Hermanus, a coastal town known for whale watching (June to November) and local food, where you'll have time for lunch before heading southeast.

Elim, established in 1824 by German Moravian settlers, sits frozen in the 19th century: whitewashed thatch-roofed cottages line streets that lead to the church, and fig trees shade the rose garden. The village has changed very little in two centuries. From Elim, the drive continues southeast to Cape Agulhas itself, three hours from Cape Town. This is where the warm Indian Ocean meets the icy Atlantic, and the rugged coastline hosts over 21,000 wetland and seabirds. The area holds over 2,000 plant species, about 100 of them found nowhere else on earth. You can visit the Cape Agulhas lighthouse, the second oldest in South Africa, and climb to the top for a view of the town and the museum below. The tour is long, but the operator notes it feels less touristic than the standard route, and the private vehicle means you set the pace at each stop.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What's it like to see the African penguins at Stoney Point?

Stoney Point beach in Betty's Bay is one of only two mainland colonies of African penguins in South Africa. You'll have time to walk along the beach and see them up close. The colony has lived there since the early 20th century.

How does the wine tasting work in Hemel n Aarde?

Your tasting is at Hamilton Russell in the Hemel n Aarde valley, a cool-climate wine region near the sea. The region is known for pinot noir and Chardonnay with crisp acidity and bright fruit flavors. The tasting fee is included in the tour.

Can I see whales on this tour?

Whales can be spotted from Hermanus between June and November each year along the whale trail on the shore. The tour passes through Hermanus and you'll have time there for lunch, but whale sightings depend on the season and are not guaranteed.

What can I do at Cape Agulhas itself?

At Cape Agulhas, you can walk the coastal plains where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet, visit the Cape Agulhas lighthouse (the second oldest in South Africa), and climb to the top for views of the town. The museum at the base is also open. Both the lighthouse and museum fees are included.

How long is the full day, and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 10 to 12 hours total. Included are the private air-conditioned vehicle, pickup from Cape Town, wine tasting fees, entry to Stoney Point, the Cape Agulhas museum and lighthouse, and chilled bottled water. Lunch is not included, though you'll have time to eat in Hermanus.