But, while lots of people plan their trips for the summer, there are plenty of reasons to visit during the chilly season.

Here are our top five things to do in Cape Town this winter.

1. Go shark cage diving.
If you’re looking for something a little more daring and out-of-the-ordinary, then this is it. Book a shark cage diving trip in Gansbaai and get up close and personal with one of the world’s most fearsome apex predators! While tours operate all year round, the best time to go is from June to September, when the formidable Great Whites tend to breach high above the surface. Water visibility is much better during the colder months, so you have a better chance of getting a clearer view of the sharks while you’re underwater.

There are many reputable shark cage diving operators who really do care about conservation and try to leave as little impact on the environment as possible. Choose an operator that goes out of its way to respect these amazing creatures. These tour operators come highly recommended:
Shark Diving Unlimited
Marine Dynamics
White Shark Divers

2. Take a street art tour through historic Woodstock
There are many things that this melting pot of a neighbourhood has to offer the curious, and one of them is the vivid street art. Take a tour with Juma Mkwela, who is passionate about teaching people about the culture and history of the area, as well as promoting responsible tourism, through the incredible murals. Make a day out of it and take a Food and Storytelling Tour, or an Art Culture and History Tour. You can find out more about Juma’s Tours by visiting the website. Take a break from exploring and pop into one of Woodstock’s edgy coffee shops for a brew, or visit the SMAC art gallery for more local art.

3. Take a coffee appreciation course
Cape Town is quickly becoming a top contender in terms of its quality roasteries and coffee shops. Coffee culture is thriving in the Mother City and sampling some of the best it has to offer is a cultural experience of its own.

If you’re a coffee-lover, consider taking a Coffee Appreciation Course with one the city’s most celebrated roasteries. Truth Coffee offers an enjoyable course in coffee history and equipment, followed by a tour of its roastery and bean chamber. Finish off the experience with a delicious cupping – taste coffee from different origins and find out more about what makes a particular bean truly unique. Visit Truth Coffee for more info.

4. Visit Table Mountain Off-Peak
Yup, we said it! While Table Mountain may be considered a tourist-trap by some in the summer months, in winter it is simply a delight! The queues for the cableway are a lot shorter and there’s none of that pesky South Easter that’s synonymous with the Mother City during the hot months. Cape Town also experiences a lot more rain in winter, so everything is much greener, and the fauna is quite lovely! Visit the Table Mountain website for rates and operating hours.

If you’re looking to meander through even more greenery, visit the Boomslang Aerial Walkway at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens for a panoramic view to write home about.

5. Go wine tasting at Cape Point Vineyards
There’s nothing like sipping fabulous wine while you’re all cozied up in a spectacular setting. The Cape Point Vineyards is an award-winning wine estate in Noordhoek that offers incredible views of the tip of the continent’s wild coastline. Spend the day tasting exceptional wines, picnicking on the lawns or sampling the delicious fare on offer at its restaurant. It’s a day out that the whole family can enjoy, so visit the website for more details on what’s on offer this time of year.

We hope you found this blog helpful and will be exploring the Mother City in a new way this winter!