Cape Town: Cape of Good Hope, Penguins & Seal Island Day Trip

Summary

Seals, penguins and wild ocean drives from Cape Town

You’ll ride along Cape Town’s wild coastline with a local guide, take an optional ferry to see seals at Hout Bay, stand at windswept Cape Point lighthouse, and get close to African penguins at Boulders Beach. Expect laughter, salty air, and moments that linger long after you’re back at your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the day to start with so much color—Bo-Kaap’s houses are even brighter in person than in photos. Our guide, Sibusiso, told stories about the Cape Malay community while a kid on a scooter zipped by and nearly crashed into my ankle (he was fine, just grinned at us). The air smelled faintly of spices and car exhaust. It’s weird how quickly you go from city noise to that Atlantic hush—one minute we were dodging taxis, the next we were winding along Chapman's Peak Drive with the windows down and the wind doing its best to mess up everyone’s hair.

At Hout Bay harbor, I could already hear the seals barking before we even got close. The optional ferry out to Seal Island was choppy—my stomach wasn’t thrilled—but it’s worth it for that moment when you spot hundreds of Cape fur seals flopping around like they own the place. Back on land, I wandered through a little craft market where an old man tried (and failed) to teach me how to say “thank you” in Xhosa. I still can’t get the click right.

The drive down to Cape Point felt like a movie set: cliffs dropping into blue water, ostriches pecking at roadside grass (they’re bigger than you think), and then that walk up to the old lighthouse. Sibusiso explained how sailors used to miss it in fog—makes sense when you see how high up it is. My calves were burning but that 360-degree view? I still think about it sometimes, especially when I catch a whiff of sea air back home.

Boulders Beach was packed with penguins waddling between sunbathers and boardwalks. One little guy stood right next to my shoe for a solid minute before shuffling off—didn’t seem bothered by us at all. Lunch in Simon’s Town was slow (service here takes its time), but sitting outside with fish and chips while watching boats bob in the harbor made up for it. On the way back we stopped above Muizenberg for those classic beach hut photos—by then everyone was quiet, tired in that good way after a long day out.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cape Town coastal and wildlife tour

• Pass by Sea Point and Bantry Bay
• Pass by Clifton beaches
• Stop at Camps Bay for photos
• Drive to Hout Bay via Atlantic seaboard
• Stop at Hout Bay harbour
• Optional ferry to Seal Island
• Stop at Chapman's Peak Drive viewpoint
• Stop in Noordhoek for coffee option
• Pass by Misty Cliffs and Scarborough
• Stop at Ostrich Farm
• Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve
• Stop at Cape of Good Hope signboard
• Visit African Penguins at Boulders Beach
• Stop for lunch in Simon's Town
• Pass by Fishhoek and Kalk Bay
• Stop at Muizenberg beach huts
• Pass by Tokai and Constantia vineyards
• Return to downtown Cape Town
• Visit Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter

Top questions

How long is this Cape of Good Hope & Penguins tour?

This is a full-day trip from Cape Town, typically lasting around 9 hours including all stops.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in central Cape Town areas.

Can I skip the Seal Island ferry if I get seasick?

Yes—you can stay at Hout Bay harbor or explore the craft market while others take the ferry.

Are entrance fees covered for Chapman's Peak Drive?

Yes, entry fees for Chapman's Peak Drive are included in your tour price.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No—lunch is not included but there’s time to buy food in Simon’s Town.

Will I see penguins up close at Boulders Beach?

Yes—the boardwalk lets you get very close to African penguins; sometimes they walk right beside visitors.

Is this tour suitable for families or wheelchair users?

The tour is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What should I bring on this day trip from Cape Town?

A jacket (it gets windy), comfortable shoes for walking, sunscreen, camera/phone for photos—and maybe motion sickness tablets if you plan on taking the ferry.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere central in Cape Town, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water onboard, entry fees for Chapman's Peak Drive toll gate covered by your guide, plus plenty of time at each stop—from Bo-Kaap’s colorful streets to Boulders Beach penguin colony—before returning comfortably back to your hotel in the evening.