Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise
Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise

Outty Ranking 55 3.5 · 17 traveler reviews0.7 hoursFrom $40
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Outty Ranking

55/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.5/5

Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise worth booking?

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise is a 0.7-hour experience in Cape Town, South Africa, from $40 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.5/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
55 / 100
Rating
3.5/5 (17)
Duration
0.7 hours
From
$40 per person

Discover Cape Town’s natural beauty and iconic landmarks with one flexible combo ticket! Travel along the scenic Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Route, passing lush landscapes like Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the historic Groot Constantia wine estate before reaching the charming harbour town of Hout Bay. Here, hop aboard Drumbeat Charters for a thrilling 40 minute Seal Island Cruise to see Cape fur seals in their wild ocean playground. After your cruise, continue exploring at your own pace, with the option to switch lines and visit major highlights like the Table Mountain Cableway. Book now and experience Cape Town’s mountains, gardens, vineyards, and ocean all in one unforgettable day!

What you get

    About this experience

    Discover Cape Town’s natural beauty and iconic landmarks with one flexible combo ticket! Travel along the scenic Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Route, passing lush landscapes like Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the historic Groot Constantia wine estate before reaching the charming harbour town of Hout Bay. Here, hop aboard Drumbeat Charters for a thrilling 40 minute Seal Island Cruise to see Cape fur seals in their wild ocean playground. After your cruise, continue exploring at your own pace, with the option to switch lines and visit major highlights like the Table Mountain Cableway. Book now and experience Cape Town’s mountains, gardens, vineyards, and ocean all in one unforgettable day!

    What's included

    Included

    • Admission fees
    • Live commentary on the boat
    • Admission fees
    • On-board WiFi
    • Audio commentary on the bus (available in 15 languages)

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 30 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    City Sightseeing South Africa

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Explore Cape Town by bus and boat! Ride the famous red bus to top sights, then cruise from Hout Bay to Seal Island to see Cape fur seals up close....Ride along Cape Town’s scenic coast aboard the iconic red open-top bus. Explore beaches, mountains, and must-see sights at your own pace with...Capture unforgettable moments as you ride Cape Town’s open-top bus along the stunning Atlantic coastline. Breathe in ocean air, soak up mountain...Sail to Seal Island and watch hundreds of Cape fur seals lounging and playing in the wild. Get up close to these lively creatures on a scenic...Cruise along Cape Town’s dramatic coastline and soak up endless ocean views. Feel the breeze, spot marine life, and experience the wild beauty of...Spot playful Cape fur seals swimming in crystal-clear waters around Seal Island. Get up close to these curious creatures on an unforgettable...

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    17 verified traveler reviews for Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

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    jeanyars · June 2026

    Short visit - Fantastic Overview

    Great way to get an overview of Cape Town history and significant sites. Both routes offer an introduction to places to get off and or return to with a longer visit in mind. I look at this as a way to see what there is to see in the city area and surroundings. Very friendly and easy to participate as a single or with a group of fellow travelers.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and found it to be a great introduction to Cape Town’s history and key sites. It's wonderful that the routes helped you discover places you'd like to return to for longer visits. We're also glad you found the experience friendly and easy to enjoy, whether solo or with others. We really appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    S8537EGrobertf · May 2026

    horrible experience

    The have poor hospitality and it was rainy in the afternoon , I was so disappointed with their service.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback, and I'm sorry to hear you were disappointed with your experience. Unfortunately, we can't control the weather, especially the afternoon rain. However, we take your comments about poor hospitality very seriously. If you can let us know more about your initial feedback directly – including what specifically went wrong with the service – we can look into this for you properly and work towards a resolution.

    via Tripadvisor

    LoneR514 · April 2026

    Walking tour Bo Kaap

    Maria January led our Bo-Kaap walking tour on a rainy Sunday in April and was absolutely brilliant. Knowledgeable, entertaining and warm — and despite the weather and it being just the two of us, she never rushed us for a second. You could tell she genuinely loves this neighbourhood and its history. Highly recommend her and this tour to anyone visiting Cape Town. Recommend also stopping for lunch here in the park after the tour. She will tell you where 😁

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your kind feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Bo-Kaap walking tour with Maria January and appreciated her knowledge, warmth, and dedication, even in the rain. We’re glad the experience was memorable, and we appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you again in Cape Town.

    via Tripadvisor

    Tannie_O · April 2026

    First Time in Cape Town

    If you have never been on a hop on hop off bus tour, you are given a set of earbuds, you boarded a two-decker bus and proceed to drive a large loop around town with a position-based announcement of the city highlights playing in your ears. Sometimes, you have an option to purchase extra tour items (a wine tour or a tour of a historical suburb). For us, we purchased an optional “Seal Island Adventure Cruise”. Our instructions were to get off at stop 24 (Hout Bay) for the 40-50 minute cruise. There was a lack of signage telling us where to go at stop 24 so we asked the driver. “Head towards the water. It is on the right.” Having never been in South Africa, we “headed towards the water”. Thirty minutes later, we ask a local for guidance and then we’re properly directed to the cruise. Because of timing, we ended up not going on the cruise but nonetheless enjoyed our walk around the beautiful Hout Bay neighborhood. The rest of the “ear bud bus tour” went well. Interesting stories, fantastic vistas, equipment that worked well. So, for the Cape Town Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour (HoHoBT) - it was a reasonably well done presentation of their city. I won’t blame the Seal Cruise problems on them - they were a different operator from HoHoBT and if they choose to not put up signs directing people to their place of business, that is on them. We DID find a wonderful place to eat some local seafood and spent out time in Hout Bay experiencing the local culture. We will probably return to the bus tomorrow - to visit some botanical gardens and a cable car tour to the top of Table Mountain. It is cheaper than Uber! So, mostly well done, folks. Maybe tell your partners that they need to “up their game” with some signage but we were well satisfied with our tour.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Hop-on Hop-off experience, from the interesting commentary to the beautiful views, and that you made the most of your time exploring Hout Bay—even discovering some great local seafood along the way. We’re sorry for the confusion around the Seal Island Adventure Cruise and appreciate your understanding. Your feedback regarding signage is very valuable, and we will certainly share this with our partners to help improve the experience for future guests. We hope you also had a fantastic time on our Cape Point and Penguins Tour, and that you enjoy the rest of your time in Cape Town—including Table Mountain and the botanical gardens. Thank you again, and we hope to welcome you back on board soon!

    via Viator

    Jared_V · March 2026

    Great day, content overlap with other tours.

    The hop-on hop-off bus was a great and easy way to explore the city, and everything was well organized. That said, we found much of the information overlapped with what we had already learned on our Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach tour. Still, a very enjoyable day and a

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback! We are glad you enjoyed the experience and found it well organized.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    0.7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $40 to $645
    Booked in 30 days
    6
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by City Sightseeing South Africa, who run 12 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 75.7 and 2 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything City Sightseeing South Africa runs

    Why this scores 55

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)42
    Review evidence (18% weight)49
    Booking momentum (14% weight)40
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)81
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cape Town.

    How much does Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise cost?

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    Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cape Town usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise take?

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    Plan for about 0.7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cape Town is not rushed.

    Is Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.5/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cape Town, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise?

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    Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cape Town can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cape Town and add a light layer if any part of the 0.7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cape Town within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Cape Town?

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    On Outty we rank every Cape Town experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cape Town: Lion's Head Sunrise/Sunset Hike, Hike Table Mountain or Lions Head in Cape Town Like a Local, Cape Point and Boulder's Penguins Full Day Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Cape Town?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Cape Town?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise?

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    Included: Admission fees; Live commentary on the boat; Admission fees; On-board WiFi; and Audio commentary on the bus (available in 15 languages). Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    What languages is Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise offered in?

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    It is offered in German, Portuguese, Chinese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Cape Town. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour and Seal Island Cruise?

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    Across 17 reviews averaging 3.5 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, organization, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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