Skydiving Get high, very high, and then plunge to earth in a whirlwind of colour, speed and adrenalin. Go it alone or tandem jump, but this is one view of Cape Town you won't forget in a hurry.
Bungee Jumping No parachute or plane required for this jump, just a rope, one very high bridge and cojones of the metaphorical kind. At 216m, the highest commercial bungee (or bungy) jump in the world can be found at Bloukrans on the Garden Route, just past Plettenberg Bay and about five hours and a sandwich from Cape Town by car.
Don't want to jump that high or drive that far? Try the Gouritz River jump. At 60m high and about three hours drive from Cape Town, it's far more sensible, but be warned that you may find yourself regarding it as only a practice jump.
Paragliding While the above two require plummeting to the ground at breakneck speeds, with paragliding you can soar mountain ridges and share a thermal with eagles.
Stunning views with just a wing (a very high tech wing) and some trust in your tandem pilot and you will enjoy some of the most spectacular surroundings with just the wind in your hair and a smile on your face. Cape Town is blessed with a unique landscape and frequent winds which means she has can offer a variety of beautiful paragliding sites, all reachable by car in a few minutes or hours.
Hiking & Trail Running Explore the Cape's beautiful mountains on foot. You need a backpack, some warm clothes, food, water and common sense and then you're all set to enjoy some exceptional hiking close to the city, but a lifetime away.
Alternatively swap the biking boots for some trail runners and get running on the mountains. Cape Town has a packed road running calendar and an exciting and challenging series of trail runs.
Mountain Biking Forests, jeep tracks, single track ... the Cape offers MTB adventure seekers a basketful of options. Do the research, and only cycle where allowed, but there is plenty of choice so your exploring will be rewarded.
Rock Climbing If you prefer your feet on solid ground, grab those ridiculously tight climbing shoes and hit some of the many crag spots in and around Cape Town.
Get in touch with a club via an equipment store or climbing gym and you'll probably find yourself committed to a weekend of craggy adventure.
Abseling & Kloofing Lower yourself off Table Mountain with the Atlantic Ocean glistening in the distance or abseil down a 100m high waterfall into refreshing rock pools. Hike into the mountains and then, walk, swim and kloof-jump your way out. Be sensible and do it in a group led by someone who knows the area well, or join a tour.
Kayaking Explore the oceans from the comfort of a kayak. Head out at sunrise with the fishing boats and seagulls and ride the swells, get a little wet and become a part of ocean life for a while. Guided sunset and sunrise trips (or any time of day for that matter but those are best) can be enjoyed on both sides of the peninsula.
Canoeing Try a day (or week) on of the Cape's many rivers or head up north to the mighty Orange (but that's another section). The Breede (meaning 'wide') River is a fantastic one to play on and the Berg can get pretty exciting when its water levels are high.
Diving Get your kicks below the waves. Cape Town's waters are dotted with interesting ship wrecks (it's not called the Cape of Storms for nothing) as well as large and small fish and excellent macro life. Siinking below the waters at Oude Kraal on a still day can reward you with an incredible, and seldom-seen perspective of the Cape's beauty. Be warned though, the water is cold.
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