Sea Kayaking Cape Town: Table Mountain from the water

Paddle beneath Table Mountain and spot seals along the Atlantic coast

Sea kayaking in Cape Town's Table Mountain Marine Nature Reserve is a 2-hour paddle along the Atlantic shoreline with a professional guide, all equipment and safety gear included. You launch from the V&A Waterfront, navigate protected waters with unobstructed views of Table Mountain and Lion's Head, and watch for Cape Fur seals, dolphins and sunfish. Children must be at least 8 years old and accompanied by an adult. Groups stay under 14 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Table Mountain National Park1h 30m
2. Lion's Headpassing by
3. Cape Town Stadiumpassing by

Sea kayak tour along Cape Town coast

• Safety briefing at V&A Waterfront office
• Gear up with life jackets and paddles
• Kayak in Table Mountain Marine Nature Reserve
• View Table Mountain and local marine life
• Paddle along coastline past Lion's Head and Signal Hill
• Reach turning point near Sea Point suburb
• View Sea Point Promenade and historic lighthouse
• Navigate waters of Granger Bay past DHL Stadium

The experience

The paddle starts at the V&A Waterfront office, where you get a safety briefing, store your belongings, and put on a life jacket and paddle before launching into the Atlantic. The water here is protected by the Table Mountain Marine Nature Reserve, which means the conditions stay manageable even for people new to kayaking. From sea level, Table Mountain fills your view without obstruction: a perspective most visitors never get. Lion's Head and Signal Hill rise dramatically along the shoreline as you paddle, offering angles for photographs that land differently than the views from land.

As you work your way along the coast, you keep an eye out for Cape Fur seals, dolphins and sunfish that move through these waters. The route takes you past Sea Point, where you can see the historic lighthouse and the promenade from the water, then turns at the edge of Granger Bay. The DHL Stadium, Cape Town's architectural landmark, comes into view as you head back toward the harbour. The whole paddle is 2 hours, which leaves you time to dry off and move on to the rest of your day.

What’s included

• A professional guide leading the paddle.
• kayak, paddle, life jacket and all safety gear.
• a safety briefing and gear setup at the V&A Waterfront before launch.
• storage for your belongings during the 2-hour paddle.

Options for this experience

7 options

07:30 amGuide in English · 07:30

10:00 amGuide in English · 10:00

07:00 amGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 07:00

See 4 more options

09:30 amGuide in English · Available from 31 Dec

12:00 pmGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 12:00

08:00 amGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027

10:30 amGuide in English · 10:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Atlantic Outlook

Is this one for you?Book the early morning departure if you want the calmest water and the fewest crowds on the Atlantic. The later slots work better if you're staying nearby and want to paddle after other activities. Groups stay under 14 people, so the paddle never feels crowded even at midday.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the sea kayaking in Cape Town start?

Departures run throughout the day, with options at 7:00 am, 7:30 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 10:30 am and 12:00 pm. You choose your preferred time when you book.

What wildlife might I see while kayaking in Cape Town?

Cape Fur seals, dolphins and sunfish live in the Table Mountain Marine Nature Reserve where you paddle. Sightings depend on the day and the season, but the protected waters draw marine life regularly.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this activity?

No, the activity suits all physical fitness levels. A professional guide leads the paddle and covers safety in a briefing before you launch, so beginners are welcome. Children as young as 8 can join if accompanied by an adult.

What's included in the sea kayaking tour from Cape Town?

The sea kayaking includes a professional guide, a kayak, a paddle, a life jacket and all safety gear. You meet at the V&A Waterfront office, where you also store your belongings during the paddle.

How long is the paddle and where does it go?

The paddle lasts 2 hours and covers the Atlantic coastline from the V&A Waterfront, past Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Signal Hill, out to Sea Point and Granger Bay, then back to the starting point. The entire route stays within the protected waters of the Table Mountain Marine Nature Reserve.

Is the V&A Waterfront easy to reach by public transport?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the V&A Waterfront office where the paddle begins, so you can reach the starting point without a car.