Take a blister‑short helicopter flight from the V&A Waterfront and see Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Clifton and Camps Bay from above. This 12‑minute City Hopper is a compact, affordable way to get an aerial introduction to Cape Town’s coastline and city landmarks.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You lift off from the V&A Waterfront and the city shrinks beneath you: a grid of roofs, a lattice of piers, the ocean opening like a bright coin. In twelve minutes the City Hopper rolls you along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard — sweeping over Table Mountain’s serrated rim, circling Lion’s Head, and tracing the gold crescent beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay while the Twelve Apostles push a low, stone skyline out to sea.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
12 minutes (flight); 45–75 minutes total including check‑in
Fitness Level
No special fitness level required — accessible to most travelers who can board small aircraft.
Wildlife
History
The V&A Waterfront sits in the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere and was developed in the 19th century; Table Mountain is an ancient sandstone formation central to local Khoikhoi and colonial histories.
Conservation
Operators follow aviation and environmental regulations to limit noise and disturbance; visitors can reduce impact by using licensed companies and leaving no trace at launch and landing zones.
Reserve your spot on the Cape Town Helicopter Tour: City Hopper today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring an ID or passport
A valid original passport is required at check‑in; leave photocopies at home and keep the document accessible.
Arrive early for check‑in
Plan to be at the V&A Waterfront check‑in counter 30–45 minutes before flight time for briefing, weigh‑in and locker use.
Dress windproof
Even in summer, exposed helipad conditions can be chilly — a light windbreaker and layers help during boarding and disembarkation.
Camera prep
No large bags allowed on board; set camera exposure to high shutter speed and use a neck strap to stabilize shots through the plexiglass.
Original Passport/ID
Required at check‑in for every passenger and checked for infants as well.
Compact Camera or Smartphone
Fast shutter speeds and a wide angle capture landscapes from the moving cabin.
Light Windbreaker
Blocks wind on the helipad and during boarding; mornings can be breezy year‑round.
all-year
Sunglasses
Reduces glare off the ocean and keeps light low through the cabin windows for better photos.
summer