What to do at the V&A Waterfront

18 November 2016

Hop on the City Sightseeing red bus and see the best Cape Town has to offer. Here are our top activities at the V&A Waterfront:

1. Cruise the canal - the quickest way between the Waterfront and the CTICC!

Most of the Foreshore precinct used to be under water, but found its business-hub shape through a complicated land-reclamation project. The canal linking the Foreshore to the V&A Waterfront is a reminder of the old seafront. On the Canal Cruise, you will learn more about this watery history and the V&A Waterfront’s underwater gems such as secret underwater passageways and private islands.

(Image: City Sightseeing)

What to know:

• The cruise runs every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-hour, weather permitting
• Canal Cruise tickets cost R40 per person (R35 if you book online) and R20 for kids
• The total tour duration is about 25 minutes and you can hop on and hoff off at all the stops, your ticlet is valid for a full day!
• There is onboard commentary in 15 languages (English, Afrikaans, Arabic, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Zulu) and a special channel for kids

2. Motor past seals, ships and attractions on a City Sightseeing Waterfront Harbour Cruise

Enjoy the V&A Waterfront from a different angle by cruising through the harbour past attractions like the Nelson Mandela Gateway and Chavonnes Battery Museum. Look out for large international ships, yachts and the SAS Somerset (the only remaining boom defence vessel left in the world). The cruise takes approximately 25 minutes and tours depart regularly throughout the day.

(Image: City Sightseeing)

What to know:

• Hop off at Stop 1 at the City Sightseeing ticket office
• The City Sightseeing Waterfront Harbour Cruise departs from and returns to the jetty outside the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront
• Waterfront Harbour Cruise tickets cost R40 per person (R35 if you book online) and R20 for kids
• Total tour duration: approx. 25 minutes
• Commentary is available in 15 languages (English, Afrikaans, Arabic, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Zulu) with a special channel for kids

3. Experience weird and wonderful oddities from around the globe at Ripley's Believe It or Not!

The infamous Ripley's Believe It or Not! summer attraction is on show at the V&A Waterfront, and should definitely not be missed! Many will know the curious collection from the old television series, but now is your chance to see oddities such as shrunken animal heads or wax figures of the biggest people on Earth. Also learn about Robert L Ripley, the man behind the collection who travelled to 201 countries in 35 years "seeking the odd, the unusual, and the unexplained" for what has grown into one of the most bizarre and amazing collections the world has ever seen.

(Image: City Sightseeing)

What to know:

• Hop off at Stop 2 at the Clock Tower ticket office
• Tickets to Ripley's Believe It or Not! cost R150 for adults and R120 for kids under the age of 16. Tickets are available at the door or via Webtickets

(Image: City Sightseeing)

Top tip:

While you’re at the Waterfront, hop on a City Sightseeing red bus and see other iconic Cape Town attractions like Table Mountain, Camps Bay and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.

Buy tickets here.