Cape Town - The City SightSeeing water taxis are now doing harbour trips at the V&A Waterfront.
With the construction of a huge new parking garage on at the V&A Waterfront, City SightSeeing’s cheerful little red water taxis are no longer plying the canal from the One&Only hotel to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and back, but have been repurposed for harbour tours.
Departing every half an hour or so – more frequently as summer approaches – from outside the Two Oceans Aquarium, the round trip takes about 25 minutes at a gentle pace. There is commentary available in 15 languages which will tell you stories about what you are seeing as you wind your way through the basins within the harbour.
The frequency and length of the ride meant I could take advantage of a perfect not-quite-spring day but sunny and warm nonetheless to hop on between appointments and meetings. This opportunity was in itself a wonderful thing and illustrates how easy it is to enjoy Cape Town as a visitor would. Why not just take a little time out and enjoy the scenery?
From the aquarium the boat glided out under the drawbridge and past the clock tower, before circling into the basin from which the Robben Island ferry departs, and then winds back in front of quays four and five.
If you’ve never done any of the many harbour trips at the Waterfront it’s a great way to get a new perspective on the boats, ships, and buildings. Of course, there is the magnificent view of Table Mountain and Signal Hill to enjoy. It was nice to be out on the water when the noon gun went off and get an idea of what it is (and was) like to be out at sea, hearing it and then seeing the smoke from the gunpowder drifting on the breeze.
Attractions include the SAS Somerset (the only remaining boom defence vessel left in the world), the southern hemisphere’s largest synchrolift and only drawbridge (Bascule Bridge).
There’s no hopping off but everything you see is a short walk from the start and end point if you want to extend your visit.
Unlike with whales, you are virtually guaranteed to see seals, whether they’re rollingin the water flapping their flippers almost within touching distance, or basking on the jetty between the multimillion-rand luxury yachts outside the Cape Grace hotel.
There is also a place outside the aquarium where the clever ones come every day to have the plastic and litter removed from themselves by the kind staff. There is a guy whose job it is to go out and fetch the other ones who haven’t learnt yet.
l Tickets are R40 (R35 if you book online) and R20 for children. See www.citysightseeing.co.za.
Weekend Argus