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::Two Oceans Aquarium
::Boulders Beach
::Whales in Spring
::Cape Point
::Sunset at Clifton
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WITH SO many things to see and places to visit,
the relatively short 200 km Peninsula route might
just be the one that will take the longest to complete.
For that reason, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
is the ultimate place to start from mostly
because it is also the best place to finish at.
 Its
shops are open until late and, after driving the
whole day and watching the sunset on Clifton beach,
you'll be ungry for a hot meal something
the countless Waterfront restaurants will be only
too glad to provide.
But besides the Victoria Wharf shopping complex,
the fascinating sea life on display at the Two
Oceans Aquarium is also vying for attention and
the huge Imax cinema offers a unique cinematic
experience. For all the car nuts, the BMW Pavilion
usually has the latest BMW models on display.
The first stop on your way around the Peninsula
could be the pretty seaside town of Fish Hoek.
The town is popular amongst visitors because it
offers safe swimming in warm(ish) waters. Jager
Walk, a walking route that follows one arm of
the beach, is a good point for whale watching
in spring, when southern right whales come to
calve.
Continuing with the M4 along the coast will take
you to Simon's Town. The main road of this historical
town leads you past South Africa's principal navy
base and then to the "Historical Mile",
a row of classic Victorian buildings lining the
road.
A statue of the World War II navy mascot, a Great
Dane called "Just Nuisance", can be
seen on Jubilee Square. Just Nuisance was buried
with full military honours on a hill above the
town.
A stop at the beautiful Boulders Beach is also
advisable, since this is where one of the few
land-based colonies of the jackass penguin can
still be found often diving into the waves
with their human counterparts.
 One
of the many highlights of this drive is the Cape
of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The reserve protects
mountain fynbos, over 1 200 plant species and
40 kilometres of unspoilt coastline.
Besides the spectacular views at Cape Point,
the reserve also has great picnic spots such as
Olifantsbosbaai and Buffelsbaai where bontebok
and large waterbirds such as the sooty shearwater
feed.
From the reserve's exit through Scarborough,
Misty Cliffs and Kommetjie the road hugs the coast
and offers spectacular views of a rugged coastline
punctuated by remote white beaches.
With the famous Chapman's Peak Drive now closed,
you are forced to make use of the Ou Kaapseweg
which veers off to Tokai at Sun Valley.
Doubling back to the charming fishing village
of Hout Bay via Constantia Nek, you'll pass South
Africa's largest bird park, World of Birds, which
is home to about 3 000 birds.
Much of the activity in Hout Bay takes place
in and around the harbour, where the Mariner's
Wharf emporium with its fresh fish market, seafood
bistro, restaurant and small gift shops is located.
For those who want to experience at least a part
of Chapman's Peak Drive, it is still possible
to travel far enough up it to be offered a beautiful
panoramic view of Hout Bay.
From Hout Bay onwards you are presented with
one spectacular beach after the other. Llandudno
and Sandy Bay are two of the more secluded beaches,
the latter being a renowned nudist haunt.
Camps Bay is rated as one of South Africa's favourites
and offers uninterrupted views of the Twelve Apostles.
The beach to be seen on in summer is Clifton's
Fourth Beach, to which thousands of sun-worshippers
flock every year. Clifton is also one of the best
places to see
a stunning sunset.
On the way back to the Waterfront you'll drive
through one of the most densely populated suburbs
of Cape Town Sea Point. Tucked into a narrow
corridor between Signal Hill and the Atlantic
Ocean, Sea Point, not surprisingly, has a high
concentration of restaurants and high-rise blocks,
icluding many hotels.
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