V&A Waterfront
Two Oceans Aquarium
The kelp forest tank alone is worth the ticket. Ragged-tooth sharks, a penguin colony, and enough to hold a six-year-old for two hours.
Opening: Daily 9.30am to 6pm.
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Explore Cape TownMake a day
V&A Waterfront
Make a day
of the harbour.
There is enough here to return for another day.
Watch the boats, explore marine life at the Two Oceans Aquarium or spend an afternoon with contemporary African art at Zeitz MOCAA. Between them, browse local design and find a comfortable place to sit.
Choose your starting point
For a family day, begin with the aquarium and leave time for a waterside walk. For art and shopping, start at Zeitz MOCAA in the Silo District, then continue through the harbour towards the Watershed. On market days, make Oranjezicht your breakfast stop before the rest of the Waterfront.
The precinct has several opening schedules. Shops, markets, museums and boat operators keep their own hours, shown below and on each place’s Visit tab. Bring a layer for the wind and keep weather-dependent outings flexible.
Aquarium, art and the harbour
Choose an indoor anchor for the day, then leave room to explore the working harbour on foot. Book ferry and boat departures separately.
V&A Waterfront
Zeitz MOCAA
A museum of contemporary African art in the grain silo at the Waterfront. Under-18s go free, which makes it a useful rainy-day option.
Opening: Daily 10am to 6pm; last entry 5.30pm.
V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront and the red harbour boat
Thirty minutes on the red boat past the seals and the working harbour, then the Waterfront itself: the Cape Wheel, the shops, and a prayer room open around the clock with Jumu'ah on Fridays.
Opening: Operates daily. Departure times vary by route and season; use the current timetable for your stop.
Ferry from the Waterfront
Robben Island
Where Tuan Guru wrote out the Qur'an from memory and where Mandela spent eighteen years. The tour bus passes the shrine of Sayed Abdurahman Motura and the guide points it out. Book well ahead; sailings depend on the sea.
Opening: Daily departures at 9am, 11am, 1pm and, in peak season September to April, 3pm.
Markets and local design
Browse the Watershed and Victoria Wharf, or build a weekend morning around Oranjezicht City Farm Market. Check the market days before choosing your route.
Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront
Oranjezicht City Farm Market
A weekend market for fresh produce, local food and a slow breakfast near the harbour. There is a seasonal Wednesday evening market too.
Opening: Saturday 8am to 2.30pm; Sunday 8.30am to 2.30pm. Wednesday evening 4pm to 9.30pm, closed during June and July.
Halal arrangements vary by stall. Confirm with the individual kitchen.
Confirm on the day.
V&A Waterfront
Watershed at the Waterfront
A place to browse local design, ceramics, fashion and gifts, next to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Opening: Daily 10am to 6pm.
V&A Waterfront
Shopping at the V&A Waterfront
Browse the Waterfront’s shops and make room for the harbour, the Aquarium or a walk along the water in the same visit.
Opening: Victoria Wharf shops generally open daily 9am to 9pm.
A pause by the water
Sit down for coffee or tea at One&Only, or book a paddle on the canals when conditions allow. Each venue sets its own service and access arrangements.
Dock Road, V&A Waterfront
Coffee and afternoon tea at One&Only Cape Town
A comfortable pause at Vista for coffee, tea or a light bite, followed by a walk through the public Waterfront.
Opening: Confirm the current coffee, light-dining and afternoon-tea service times when reserving.
Halal preparation arrangements are not established. Confirm with Vista when reserving.
Confirm on the day.
Area view · V&A WaterfrontV&A Waterfront
Stand-up paddleboarding at the Waterfront
See the Waterfront canals from a paddleboard. SUP Cape Town offers rentals and lessons, with an introduction before you head onto the water.
Opening: Available year-round except Christmas Day. Choose the date and session time in the booking calendar.
Food, prayer and getting around
For a sit-down meal, look at Saray in the Clock Tower District. Barakat at Time Out Market is another listing to check when planning food. Market-wide halal certification is not assumed: ask the particular kitchen about its current arrangements and confirm on the day.
The Waterfront has a prayer room. Use the prayer guide for directions and the day’s times. Set a precise meeting or ride pick-up point, such as your chosen attraction’s entrance, because “the Waterfront” covers a large area. Stay on public paths and ask before entering private hotel areas.