V&A Waterfront
V&A Waterfront
A working harbour with shops, the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Silo District and Cape fur seals on the jetties, and the departure point for Robben Island.
- Best monthsAny month
- How longA few hours, longer with the Aquarium or a museum
- WhereV&A Waterfront
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is built around Table Bay's harbour, and in its South Arm district fishing industries still operate. Wikipedia reports about 24 million visits a year, which makes it Cape Town's most visited destination. Attractions include the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in the Silo District, the Watershed shopping hall and the Port Captain's Office with its clock tower, built in 1882.
The Nelson Mandela Gateway, from which the Robben Island ferries leave, stands in the Clocktower District. Cape fur seals rest on the harbour's jetties, and the Waterfront's harbour monitors move them away from jetties used by people and have two platforms reserved for the seals. The Two Oceans Aquarium runs a marine wildlife programme whose team patrols the jetties and walkways for animals in need.
The Aquarium lists its tickets through its own online shop. Together with the museums, it gives visitors an indoor option on a wet day, and the Waterfront works well as a first stop before a Robben Island ferry.
Getting there
The Waterfront sits on Table Bay's harbour edge, and the Nelson Mandela Gateway for Robben Island ferries is in its Clocktower District. Check the Waterfront's website for current parking and transport options.
Visiting safely
- If you see a seal that is tangled in litter or injured, call the Two Oceans Aquarium on +27 21 418 3823 and leave the animal to the wildlife monitors, as the Aquarium asks.
- Cape fur seals are wild animals, so keep your distance from them on the jetties, as the harbour monitors ask visitors to do.
- Cut open any plastic loops before you throw them away, since the Aquarium says litter washing into the harbour tangles seals.
Where this comes from
- Victoria & Alfred Waterfront · Wikipedia
- Everything you've ever wanted to know about seal rescues in the V&A Waterfront · Two Oceans Aquarium
- Two Oceans Aquarium · Two Oceans Aquarium
- Tourists, wildlife attempt amicable co-existence at Cape Town harbour · Africanews
