Cape Town

Kelp forests, penguins and two oceans at Africa's southern tip

Key fee: Recreational scuba diving permit for Marine Protected Areas

Around ZAR 75 per year or ZAR 45 per month (indicative)

Updated Nov 21, 2025 • 10 sources

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Fees And Permits

Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.

Fees You Can't Skip

Recreational scuba diving permit for Marine Protected Areas - Around ZAR 75 per year or ZAR 45 per month (indicative)
Table Mountain National Park conservation fee (Cape of Good Hope section) - Approx ZAR 440+ per adult international visitor per day (lower for South African residents)
Typical payment pattern: Budget both for national park conservation fees and, for divers, a recreational MPA scuba permit that is required at many of Cape Town's signature sites.

What people usually pay

Budget both for national park conservation fees and, for divers, a recreational MPA scuba permit that is required at many of Cape Town's signature sites. Some fees are per person per day, while others are once-off permits valid for a year. Tariffs change regularly, so treat amounts as indicative and confirm before you travel.

Fee	Amount	Applies to	Where to pay	Notes
Recreational scuba diving permit for Marine Protected Areas

Fee

Recreational scuba diving permit for Marine Protected Areas

Per person; annual or monthly options

Amount: Around ZAR 75 per year or ZAR 45 per month (indicative)
Applies to: All scuba divers in South African Marine Protected Areas, including Table Mountain National Park
Where to pay: South African Post Office branches and selected outlets; some dive centers can help arrange permits
Notes: SANParks notes that scuba divers in the Table Mountain National Park MPA must hold a personal recreational permit issued by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Historic tariff schedules list relatively low annual and monthly fees, but exact amounts and processes can change, so confirm with your operator or the nearest Post Office soon after arrival.

Table Mountain National Park conservation fee (Cape of Good Hope section)

Per person per entry day

Amount: Approx ZAR 440+ per adult international visitor per day (lower for South African residents)
Applies to: All visitors driving or touring into the Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park
Where to pay: Gate on arrival or online via SANParks; Wild Card and certain regional passes accepted
Notes: Conservation fees fund park management, road maintenance and facilities. Tariffs are updated annually and differ for South African citizens and international visitors, so check the latest schedule on SANParks before you travel.

Boulders Penguin Colony entry fee

Per person, per day

Amount: Approx ZAR 200 - 400 per adult depending on residency
Applies to: Visitors accessing the boardwalks and main protected swimming beaches at Boulders
Where to pay: Ticket office at Boulders Penguin Colony or SANParks online
Notes: Boulders forms part of Table Mountain National Park and charges a separate conservation fee. Revenues support management of the African penguin colony and boardwalk infrastructure. Pricing bands differ for South African and SADC residents versus international visitors.

Robben Island Museum ferry and tour ticket

Single round-trip ferry and guided tour

Amount: From roughly ZAR 600+ per adult (varies by season)
Applies to: All visitors joining the standard Robben Island ferry and historic tour
Where to pay: Official Robben Island Museum ticket office at the V&A Waterfront or via the museum website
Notes: Tickets include the ferry crossing, bus tour of the island and a guided visit to the former prison. Trips are weather dependent and often sell out in peak season, so advance booking is recommended, especially if you are fitting visits between dive days.