Cape Point in summer 2026-27

What are the Cape Point opening hours in summer 2026-27?

The gate is open 06:00 to 18:00 from October to March, an hour longer at each end than in winter. You must be out by sunset.

The Cape Point visitor page says vehicles leaving after closing time are fined, so keep an eye on the clock if you drive yourself. Inside, the funicular runs 09:00 to 17:30 and the Two Oceans Restaurant 11:00 to 17:30. From the gate to the Cape Point car park is a 10 to 15-minute drive at 60 km/h.

Early is the move. At 06:00 the car park is near empty and the light on the cliffs is soft. If you drive yourself, that first hour is yours.

What does a Cape Point visit cost this summer?

A foreign adult pays R592 at the gate and R282 at Boulders from 1 November 2026, about $54 together, on top of the tour price.

Most of the summer's price changes land on visitors from abroad. The new SANParks rates hold until 31 October 2027. Shared tours start at $40 for the half day and $44 for the full day, with the gates paid on the day by card. The fee post has every category and the WILD Card maths.

Is the funicular running this summer?

Yes. It reopened on 1 October 2026 after maintenance and a new control system, and runs 09:00 to 17:30 through March.

The Flying Dutchman was out of service for much of 2026, reported closed in March. It is back for the whole summer, though Cape Point does close it for odd maintenance days (it ran a shuttle on 26 October). Read our funicular post for the timeline, prices and the walk.

On a busy December afternoon the queue at the lower station can eat into a tour stop. Ride up, walk down, and you lose less time.

How windy is Cape Point in summer?

Very, on some days. The south-easter, the "Cape Doctor", blows from about September to March and hardest in January and February, with gusts around 60 km/h.

Cape Town Tourism puts the strongest south-easter in January and February and says it can gust at 60 km/h. Wikipedia notes it is at its worst around the Cape Peninsula. At the tip, on an exposed cliff, it feels stronger still.

Pack a windproof layer even on a 30-degree day, hold on to hats and phones at the railings, and keep children close on the paths. The wind usually brings clear skies, which is the upside: the views from the old lighthouse are at their sharpest. The sun is fierce, so wear sunblock and a hat.

When are the school holidays and the busiest weeks?

South African public schools break from 10 December 2026 to 12 January 2027. Christmas to New Year is the busiest stretch at Cape Point and Boulders.

The national school calendar has term 4 of 2026 ending on 11 December (learners finish a couple of days earlier) and term 1 of 2027 starting on 13 January. All provinces share the same calendar. Local families on holiday and overseas visitors escaping the northern winter arrive at the same time.

The quieter summer weeks are late October to early December, and mid January to March once the schools are back. Term 1 ends on 19 March 2027, when the Easter break brings a smaller second wave. In peak weeks, book a few days ahead and go early: the tours that start first reach the gate before the self-drive crowd.

Starts early from your hotel and runs Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak, both capes and Boulders in one day.

★ 4.8 · 10 hours · from $44

Check dates → Tour details

Does the Chapman's Peak toll affect a Cape Point day trip?

Only if you drive yourself. The car toll is R68 from 1 July 2026; tours that use the road include it.

The 2026 government gazette sets the Class 1 light vehicle toll at R68 and motorcycles at R45, both from 1 July 2026. The full-day tour lists tolls and fuel in its price, and the private tour includes the Chapman's Peak toll.

Self-drivers: the toll is the cheapest part of the day. Use the drive one way and come back along False Bay through Simon's Town for the penguins. Our cost guide adds it all up against a tour.

Frequently asked questions