The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is located right in the heart of the stunning city of Cape Town, on the very tip of South Africa, perched on the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Nestled on the slopes of the resplendent Table Mountain and basking in the cusp of the Cape Peninsula City Bowl, the working harbour is an effervescent and iconic attraction for locals and tourists alike. And when it comes to activities and things to do at the Waterfront, there is something for everyone.
Fishy Encounters
The Aquarium at the Waterfront remains one of the biggest attractions in the city itself, and never fails to impress. The kids will be delighted by the penguin encounters and intrepid travellers can even dive with ragged tooth sharks. The emphasis is on interactive education and this is an outing not to be missed travelling with or without children.
Treasure Hunting
The Scratch Patch is a chance for visitors of all ages to experience some of the magic of the gemstone capital of the world. Here kids and adults can literally scratch for all kinds and types of gemstones. Each guest just needs to purchase a packet or container - they come in various sizes and are very inexpensive, and you can fill it with want ever treasures you find in the scratch patch.
Ship Ahoy
There a loads of little ferries that will take you around the harbour, bobbing around between the luxury yachts, big tugs and cruise liners. Here you can see seals basking on jetties and old coal equipment - used almost 100 years ago to load coal into the passing trains - the Clock Tower and a breathtaking view from a completely different perspective, looking back over Table Mountain.
Shop Shop
If you are a retail therapy enthusiast, you will be delighted to know that you have not only come to the right place, but you will be completely spoilt for choice. From high-end boutiques, to big name brands and speciality stores, there is an abundance of local items found in the Red Shed Craft Market. Clothing, jewellery, handmade crafts, ostrich eggs, art, music, glassware, local fare, gifts and souvenirs are just some of the things you can find here.
Free at Last
For those of you wanting to take a trip to the legendary Robben Island – an iconic and historic landmark and home for Nelson Mandela for 27 years, the V &A is the place where you will depart from. Just make sure that you book your ferry trip well in advance as they are really popular and super busy, right throughout the year. What was once a dire place of isolation and punishment, the island prison that served its time from the 17th to the 20th Century is now a World Heritage location that also has an extensive museum showcasing the long history of the penal island.
This is just a taste of things to see and do in the Waterfront, and no matter what time of year, what season or what length of stay you have to explore the city, the Waterfront is one that will captivate you in a heartbeat. Where will you visit first?
Louise Trainor is a travel writer. She enjoys sharing her experience with other travel enthusiasts around the web. If you're visiting South Africa, consider a trip to Cape Town.
