Quad Biking Atlantis Dunes Cape Town — 1-Hour Guided ATV Adventure
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
1–1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Basic fitness and mobility; able to handle light bumps and stand briefly on the pegs if instructed. Not suitable for those with spinal injuries.
Overview
Throttle up and follow an orange-jersied guide across the fast, wind-sculpted Atlantis Dunes — a one-hour ATV tour that pairs tight sand runs with panoramic coastal light. Practical, safe, and accessible to beginners, this outing is a high-energy way to experience Cape Town’s northern coastline.
Quad Biking Atlantis Dunes Cape Town — 1-Hour Guided ATV Adventure
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The engine rumbles to life and a plume of sand takes off ahead of you — the Atlantis Dunes open like a dry, shifting sea. Wind pulls at your jacket and the guide in the orange jersey calls a line through a bowl of soft sand; you follow, tires biting into slopes that rise and fall with the tide of wind. For an hour the pace is bright and immediate: tight berms, flat sprinting runs, and pockets of coastal scrub that hush the gusts.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early for briefing
Get to the Witsand parking area 20 minutes before start time so you can complete paperwork, buy your entrance permit, and get kitted out without losing riding time.
Bring cash for the permit
Entrance permits are slightly cheaper for cash (R200) versus card (R205); having both avoids delays.
Plan transport — phone signal is poor
Mobile reception is limited at the dunes; pre-book a pickup or drive yourself because hailing a ride from the parking lot is unreliable.
Protect against dust and sun
Wear closed-toe shoes, sunglasses with a strap, a neck gaiter to block sand, and sunscreen for afternoon rides.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Small dune birds and larks
- Occasional Cape grysbok or small mammals tracks in quieter sections
History
Atlantis was developed in the 1970s as an industrial town; the dunes themselves are older, formed by wind-driven sands from ancient shorelines.
Conservation
Dune ecosystems are fragile — stick to marked routes, avoid driving over vegetation, and carry out any trash to protect nesting birds and endemic plants.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cape Town
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Keeps feet protected from quad footwells and hot footplates.
Sunglasses with strap
Shields eyes from sand and glare; strap prevents loss when bouncing.
summer specific
Neck gaiter or buff
Useful for dusty gusts and adds a layer under the helmet.
Light windproof jacket
Wind chills can be surprising between runs, especially in late afternoon.
fall specific