Fees · Destination Guide
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)
Fees · Destination Guide
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)
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
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 | Around ZAR 75 per year or ZAR 45 per month (indicative) Per person; annual or monthly options | All scuba divers in South African Marine Protected Areas, including Table Mountain National Park | South African Post Office branches and selected outlets; some dive centers can help arrange permits | 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) | Approx ZAR 440+ per adult international visitor per day (lower for South African residents) Per person per entry day | All visitors driving or touring into the Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park | Gate on arrival or online via SANParks; Wild Card and certain regional passes accepted | 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 | Approx ZAR 200 - 400 per adult depending on residency Per person, per day | Visitors accessing the boardwalks and main protected swimming beaches at Boulders | Ticket office at Boulders Penguin Colony or SANParks online | 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 | From roughly ZAR 600+ per adult (varies by season) Single round-trip ferry and guided tour | All visitors joining the standard Robben Island ferry and historic tour | Official Robben Island Museum ticket office at the V&A Waterfront or via the museum website | 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. |
Fee
Per person; annual or monthly options
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.
Per person per entry day
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.
Per person, per day
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.
Single round-trip ferry and guided tour
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.