Ride the Atlantis Dunes: Cape Town Quad Biking Adventure & Photo Session
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
1 hour (50 minutes riding)
Fitness Level
Minimal cardiovascular fitness required; you should be able to climb short sandy slopes and brace against G-forces while standing on pegs.
Overview
Throttle up and follow a local guide over the wind-carved ridges of the Atlantis Dunes — an accessible, one-hour quad-biking tour just north of Cape Town that pairs high-speed riding with a brief photo session. Expect practical safety briefings, soft sand technique, and permit logistics at the trailhead.
Ride the Atlantis Dunes: Cape Town Quad Biking Adventure & Photo Session
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The engine thumps once, then again — a heartbeat you feel through the handlebars as the first dune rises ahead like a pale wave. Wind takes the heat off your neck and throws sand across the trail, beads of sun flickering on the plastic fairing. Your guide points to a gap in the ridgeline, and the group tips forward, tires digging, machines charging the slope. For an hour the dunes set the tempo: steeper climbs that push your chest into the harness, flat run-outs that stretch into a horizon of bleached sand and distant Atlantic blue.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Buy your entrance permit on arrival
Permits are purchased at the Witsand Aquifer parking lot (cash or card) — arrive 20 minutes early to avoid losing your booking.
Closed-toe shoes only
Sand and engine heat make sturdy footwear a must; flip-flops are not permitted for safety reasons.
Hydrate and protect from sun
Bring a small hydration pack and high-SPF sunscreen — the dunes reflect sunlight and dehydrate riders faster than expected.
Plan transport in advance
Mobile signal at the dunes is weak—organize pickup with the operator or arrange a pre-booked ride to avoid being stranded.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Karoo tortoise (padloper)
- Small passerines and the occasional Cape dune lark (locally rare)
History
The dunes are wind-deposited sands shaped over decades; nearby Atlantis town was developed in the 1970s as an industrial suburb of Cape Town.
Conservation
Permit-controlled access helps concentrate use on established tracks; avoid off-route riding and pack out all waste to protect fragile dune vegetation.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cape Town
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Closed-toe trail shoes
Protects feet from hot engines, sand and offers grip when you need to dismount on soft slopes.
Hydration pack (1–2L)
Keeps water accessible during the ride and prevents overheating in sun-reflective sand.
summer specific
Sun-protective layers & wide-brim hat (for after ride)
Lightweight long sleeves and a hat protect against intense midday sun between photo stops.
summer specific
Action camera or phone with extra battery
Guides include a photo session; you’ll want spare power to capture wide-angle dune vistas.