Although dominated by the mighty Table Mountain, Cape Town also offers a number of fantastic beaches. An entire holiday can be spent lying on the golden sands and basking in the sun, but for anyone looking for a bit more adventure, there are plenty of water sports to enjoy, ranging from relaxing pursuits to extreme sports.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is popular throughout the year in Cape Town, so whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the activity. False Bay is one of the main places to visit, with fantastic visibility in winter up to 25 metres. You’ll find reefs and shipwrecks to explore, as well as a large variety of marine life including seals, octopuses, lobster and dolphins if you’re lucky. You also have both the Atlantic and the Indian oceans to choose from so there are plenty of options.

Shark Diving

One of the biggest thrills you can experience in Cape Town is shark diving. South Africa boasts some of the biggest great white sharks in the world, and you can go face to face with one from the safety of a steel cage. You’ll have to travel about 90 minutes to reach Gansbaai, near which you will find Shark Alley. This is the perfect way not just to experience a real thrill but to learn more about these feared and misunderstood creatures.

Surfing

If you are a pro surfer looking for some great waves, Cape Town is one of the best places you can go. But you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the waves: even if you’ve never used a surfboard in your life you can take lessons in Cape Town and improve your skills. There are lots of surf schools on offer, and lessons with guides are available. During the summer you can get some really big waves as well, but this is only for the experts.

Kite Surfing

Don’t fancy surfing? How about kite surfing? This fairly new sport has taken off in a big way in Cape Town. It involves a cross between surfing and the use of a kite to get more power and go faster. With consistent winds, big waves and excellent schools with trained instructors, Cape Town is an excellent kite surfing location.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is also very popular in Cape Town. Again there are a number of schools to train you up, or you can simply hit the waves if you already know what you’re doing. Strong winds are present throughout the year and equipment is available to rent from a number of places. You will have a fantastic time out on the waves!

Enjoy the Waves

Cape Town is a water-sport lover’s paradise. With a choice of two oceans, great weather year-round and beautiful waters, you can head here any time of the year and have a great time enjoying the above activities. Why not try one out next time you are in Cape Town?

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town