Cape Town has some of the most beautiful views, beaches, mountains and flora. Capetonians love coming together to enjoy outdoor activities, while appreciating Cape Town’s beautiful scenery. While working in Cape Town you will soon realise that Cape Town has an abundance of fun outdoor activities to do while you relish the beautiful weather. Language Recruiters offers some examples of fun outdoor activities to enjoy while in Cape Town.
Outdoor activities in Cape Town: Surfing and stand-up paddleboarding (sup)
The surfing culture is a big Cape Town outdoor activity. The city’s coastline comprises a variety of points and bays, which provide ample surfing options. Cape Town waters are known for their cold temperatures, but there are great swells (great whites), and brilliant surfing conditions all year round.
A great work-out for your whole body, ‘suping’ has taken off in Cape Town over the last couple of years. It is possible to rent equipment in Muizenberg and Big Bay. Using every waterway available for paddling, the sup community is a welcoming, multi-cultural bunch. The canals around the Waterfront and Canal walk, for instance, are used for friendly flat water races once a week. There are usually spare boards for rent and newbies are welcome. SUPHQ is a great website to get in touch with the Cape Town sup community and find out about upcoming sup events.
Along the east of the southern peninsula is Muizenberg beach. This is a popular surfing spot, especially for long boarders, stand-up paddleboarders, and those learning to surf. The beach front has a variety of restaurants and coffee shops offering the perfect hangout after a surf.
If you want to travel farther up the east coast, you will find great surfing villages like Victoria Bay, Cape St Francis, and Jeffrey’s Bay, which is one of South Africa’s best surfing spots.
Long Beach Kommetjie is on the west of the southern Cape Peninsula, and provides waves for both natural and goofie surfers. Scarborough is 5 minutes from Kommetjie and is a popular but quiet surfing spot for surfers and body-boarders.
Closer to the city, along the west of the peninsula, is Llandudno Beach, a beautiful beach with a great beach break. You will also find Glen Beach, which is used by the more advanced surfers.
A bit farther up the west coast is Big Bay. Big Bay is popular with surfers at any level. Blouberg Beach is the perfect location for windsurfers and kite surfers when the strong south-east winds howl during the summer months.
Elands Bay is a small town three hours up the west coast from Cape Town. Elands Bay is best in summer when a south-east wind blows, but needs a big swell to break.
There are some surf spots that are almost always good and regularly surfed by locals. Surfers become territorial over their local break, so make sure not to get in their way. Sharks do roam the Cape Town waters, but there are normally watchmen keeping a look-out. Look out for the shark flag on the beach.
Outdoor activities in Cape Town: Hiking and trail running
Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a trail runner, or just want to take a scenic walk, hiking is a fantastic outdoor activity to enjoy in Cape Town. Cape Town offers many excellent hiking, walking and even canyoning trails through the beautiful mountains.
Trail running has become quite big in Cape Town in recent years with trail running clubs in all major areas, and events happening every weekend (Visit http://trailrunning.co.za/events.php). Running in groups is not only more fun but also safer.
Table Mountain, with its lush flora and fauna, offers beautiful hiking and walking trails. To the right of Table Mountain is the mountain slope called Lion’s Head. This 5 km hike is beautiful when the weather is clear, and the views of the city and Robben Island are outstanding. Cape Town locals like to gather and hike Lion’s Head on bright full moon evenings. Make sure you do this with a group of people.
To the left of Table Mountain is Devil’s peak. This hike is rather strenuous but don’t let the name scare you off; it also offers amazing views with trails surrounded by fynbos.
The Kirstenbosch hike to Constantia Nek is an easy walk which offers some of the best views, including an aerial view of Kirstenbosch gardens and the southern peninsula.
The trail to the Kalk Bay Amphitheatre starts on Boyes Drive, above Kalk Bay Harbour. You walk up the steep flights of steps, and follow the signs to Echo Valley Forest, which will take you to the natural Amphitheatre. When you get to this natural wonder you will experience the amazing view of False Bay.
Silvermine nature reserve on OuKaapsewag offers many lovely hiking and walking trails. The hike to the Elephant’s Eye Cave is an easy walk, with brilliant views of False Bay. Before the trail starts there is a beautiful dam surrounded by trees, perfect for a picnic and swimming.
Outdoor activities in Cape Town: Mountain biking
Mountain biking is popular around Cape Town. Despite a lack of single trails, Tokai forest and Silvermine are popular biking grounds for mountain bikers. Due to the increasing popularity of this outdoor sport many wine estates have created mountain bike trails for different levels in cooperation with mountain bike clubs. Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville is one of these. This network of single trails and gravel roads is made up of three trails: 5km (Yellow), 12km (Red), and 18km (Blue). Being more technical and harder on the legs, Contermanskloof mountain bike trail is also in the Durbanville area, and even features a double black section for very advanced riders.
A short drive away opens more heavenly mountain bike options. There is Himmel and Aarde as well as Oak Valley. Both are near Hermanus.
World renowned mountain bike events are happening all over South Africa throughout the year, including the 700 km Cape Epic, Wine to Wales, Sani2c (271 km), Berg and Bush, and Joburg to Sea.
Outdoor activities in Cape Town: Outdoor gym
Most South Africans have a gym membership at Virgin Active, Planet Fitness or Curve. For those keen to recharge on some sunshine after work, however, the Sea Point promenade provides a fantastic arena. Besides the 18 km long promenade used for running, Sea Point features an Olympic-sized pool and a free outdoor gym overlooking the ocean. This beautiful stretch has attracted people for years, but the outdoor gym is an added reason to enjoy this pretty part of town.
The weather-proof, low-maintenance gym equipment has been designed to resemble some of South Africa’s wildlife and animals. The equipment provides a full body workout, and is suitable for adults at any fitness level.
Cape Town has an abundance of outdoor activities to keep you busy, especially in the summertime. If the sun is shining, you will always find people in Cape Town enjoying these outdoor activities.
If you are keen on joining in on the fun outdoor activities in Cape Town, and relocating to South Africa, feel free to contact us.
