As the sun peeks over the horizon, most of Cape Town lies fast asleep. But on the Sea Point Promenade, the city awakens. On this 11-kilometre pathway, spanning from Mouille Point to Bantry Bay, locals indulge in their favourite pastimes. From dawn till dusk, this stretch abounds with life, promising magnificent sights and enthralling experiences for anyone who sets foot on it.
A day on the promenade typically starts with a walk along the beachfront. For a full body workout, make a stop at the outdoor gym. Here, fitness enthusiasts weightlift on the leg press or burn off late night delights on the cross trainer. After breaking a sweat, it’s time to refuel. Lining the curved main road, quirky cafés swing open their doors. The smell of Arabica beans mingles with the salty air.
In this coastal paradise, the open ocean is arguably the best place to be. Join a kayak tour with Atlantic Outlook for a front row seat to the marine Big Five. Seals and African penguins play among kelp forests year round, while bottlenose dolphins and southern right whales make an appearance in the months of May through June. Some of the city’s most idyllic beaches contour this shoreline. Beach-goers nestle into the soft sands of Queen’s Beach or laze in Saunders’ Rocks crystal tidal pool for hours on end.
The Atlantic Seaboard is even more breathtaking from above. With Cape Town Tandem Paragliding, thrillseekers strap into a harness with a flight instructor and soar from Lion’s Head or Signal Hill. An aerial view of the Green Point Stadium and the V&A Waterfront transform these bustling tourist attractions into pint-sized dioramas. After several exhilarating minutes mid-air, the promenade’s green lawns welcome flyers back to solid ground.
Regain balance on Up Cycles’ bright orange bicycles and take a ride to discover the creativity surging along this walkway. Public art installations dot the strip. A cluster of one-dimensional shapes shoot up from the lush grass, forming André Carl van der Merwe’s Rhinosaur. Peer through the viewfinder and put the realities of South Africa’s poaching crisis into focus. After an eye-opening excursion, riders can choose from a variety of food stalls beside the bicycle drop-off station. Lap down Icezeit’s traditional Italian gelato or snack on a selection of spicy samoosas from Chilli Point while admiring the changing tides.
Bellies now filled to the brim, take a dip in one of the metropolitan's most popular spots – the Sea Point Pavilion Pool. Built on the water’s edge, the open-air structure boasts panoramic views of the horizon. Families from far and wide flock here to enjoy the scorching summer holidays. Parents swim laps in the Olympic-sized pool while toddlers splash in knee-deep water, and teens plunge from the five-metre springboard.
Rich pinks and oranges flood the sky as the sun begins to set. This beachfront is the ideal place to kick up your feet and watch the day come to a close. Adjoined by the city and sea, the promenade has created a unique ecosystem where creativity, nature, and community thrive. Around each bend, a new adventure awaits.
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