At a glance: SANParks’ 2026/27 conservation fees apply from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. Cape of Good Hope (the Cape Point section) costs R115 per South African citizen or resident adult, R242 per SADC adult and R592 per international adult. Boulders costs R57, R118 and R282 respectively. Children aged 2–11 pay separate rates; under-twos enter free. Fees are per person, not per vehicle.
A day at Cape Point or Boulders Beach can be a modest local outing or a substantial international-visitor expense, depending on which tariff applies. SANParks’ new rate card took effect on 1 November 2026 and sets different conservation fees for South African citizens and residents, SADC nationals, and visitors from other countries. Check the category and carry the right identification: at Cape Point and Boulders, SANParks says digital ID scanning is being used to help apply local rates.
This guide uses SANParks’ published 2026/27 tariff, not estimates from last year. It covers the Cape Point entrance (officially the Cape of Good Hope section), Boulders Penguin Colony, family totals, Wild Card membership and separately charged extras.
Quick guide
- Tariff dates: 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027, subject to change without notice.
- Cape of Good Hope: R115 / R57 South African adult / child; R242 / R124 SADC adult / child; R592 / R288 standard adult / child.
- Boulders: R57 / R27 South African adult / child; R118 / R59 SADC adult / child; R282 / R138 standard adult / child.
- Age bands: Adults are 12 and older; children are 2–11; under 2s are free.
- Tickets: SANParks sells dated gate tickets online for both Cape Point and Boulders. A ticket does not guarantee immediate entry at capacity.
- Separate extras: Cape Point’s funicular is not included in the entrance ticket.
What the conservation fee covers
The fee is the daily conservation and access charge for the named SANParks pay point. It is calculated per visitor. Driving a private car, taking a taxi or arriving by bicycle does not change the per-person entrance rate. The Cape Point ticket covers the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park; Boulders is a separate pay point in the same national park. Visiting both means paying the fee at both entrances unless you hold a valid membership or qualifying permit that covers access.
These are not all-in attraction prices. A Cape Point gate ticket does not include the Flying Dutchman Funicular, and permits for activities such as cycling or fishing have their own rules and charges. At Boulders, the gate ticket covers entry to the penguin-colony site and access to Boulders Beach, subject to site rules and capacity.
Cape Point entrance fees, 2026/27
In SANParks’ tariff, the entrance area commonly called Cape Point is listed as “Cape of Good Hope”. The rates below apply per person for the period 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027.
| Visitor category | Adult (12+) | Child (2–11) |
|---|---|---|
| South African citizen or resident, with required proof | R115 | R57 |
| SADC national, with passport | R242 | R124 |
| Standard conservation fee (all other nationalities) | R592 | R288 |
| Child under 2 | Free | |
Entry gives access to the Cape of Good Hope section during the ticket’s validity and operating hours. It does not include the funicular ride up to the old lighthouse, food, guided tours or separately permitted activities. The park is large; allow enough time for the drive between viewpoints and do not leave the exit until the last minute. Cape Point’s visitor information says the entrance opens and closes seasonally, with vehicles required to leave by sunset.
Boulders Beach entrance fees, 2026/27
| Visitor category | Adult (12+) | Child (2–11) |
|---|---|---|
| South African citizen or resident, with required proof | R57 | R27 |
| SADC national, with passport | R118 | R59 |
| Standard conservation fee (all other nationalities) | R282 | R138 |
| Child under 2 | Free | |
Boulders is in Simon’s Town and is known for its land-based African penguin colony. SANParks describes three beaches, a penguin viewing area and three boardwalks. The boardwalks are there to let people observe the birds while keeping a safe distance; stay on the paths, do not touch or feed penguins, and follow ranger directions. The site is in a no-take marine protected area, so removing marine life is prohibited.
The paid access site and the surrounding Simon’s Town coastline are not the same thing. The SANParks gate ticket gives entry to the selected Boulders site, including Boulders Beach, on the ticket date. Beach space depends on tides and parking is limited, particularly in summer. Alcohol and smoking are prohibited at the site, and vessels including canoes and kayaks are not allowed in the protected area described by SANParks.
Cape Point and Boulders compared
| Visit | South African adult / child | SADC adult / child | Standard adult / child | What the fee gives access to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point) | R115 / R57 | R242 / R124 | R592 / R288 | Cape of Good Hope section; funicular extra |
| Boulders | R57 / R27 | R118 / R59 | R282 / R138 | Penguin viewing area and Boulders Beach access |
Cape Point is the larger drive-and-walk day: its coastline, viewpoints and trails are spread across a broad section of the park. Boulders is a more compact stop focused on penguin viewing and beach access in Simon’s Town. They can fit into one Peninsula itinerary, but they have separate gates, separate tickets and different operating rhythms. Allow for the drive between them and check both sites’ conditions before leaving.
Worked entry costs for families and couples
The examples below assume each person enters both pay points on the same day, there are two adults and, where shown, two children aged 2–11. They exclude the funicular, parking, transport, food and any activity permits.
| Group | Cape Point | Boulders | Both sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two South African adults | 2 × R115 = R230 | 2 × R57 = R114 | R344 |
| Two South African adults + two children | (2 × R115) + (2 × R57) = R344 | (2 × R57) + (2 × R27) = R168 | R512 |
| Two international adults | 2 × R592 = R1,184 | 2 × R282 = R564 | R1,748 |
| Two international adults + two children | (2 × R592) + (2 × R288) = R1,760 | (2 × R282) + (2 × R138) = R840 | R2,600 |
These totals use the correct child bands and assume that each traveller qualifies for the listed category. SANParks may verify local and SADC eligibility at the gate. A family with infants under two should omit those children from the fee calculation; older children aged 12 and above are charged at the adult rate.
Could a Wild Card save money?
For repeat visits, a Wild Card can replace daily conservation fees at the parks covered by the chosen cluster, for the membership’s listed people and validity period. The SANParks Cluster includes South Africa’s national parks, including Table Mountain National Park. Membership is valid for 365 days from purchase. A couple card covers two named people; a family card covers up to two adults and five children under 18.
Unlike many rate sheets, SANParks has published current Wild Card prices for 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. The SANParks Cluster costs R950 for an individual, R1,535 for a couple and R1,835 for a family. The All Parks Cluster, which includes more than 80 parks and reserves in the participating clusters, costs R985, R1,615 and R1,980 respectively. International members have a separate International All Parks option: R5,265 individual, R8,225 couple and R9,840 family.
Compare the membership price with the places and number of visits your group expects to make. A Wild Card only covers the people named on that membership and the parks included in its cluster. At the Table Mountain National Park gates, SANParks says visitors should present the membership confirmation letter and identification. Keep the confirmation accessible offline in case mobile reception is poor.
Other costs to plan for
Flying Dutchman Funicular
The funicular to the old lighthouse is a separate operator service, not part of SANParks gate entry. Cape Point’s published price page still displays 2025/26 fares—R115 return for adults and R60 return for children and qualifying pensioners—but those rates expired on 31 October 2026. We could not verify an official 2026/27 fare when preparing this guide, so treat the current price as unconfirmed and check the operator before travelling. Walking up is possible for visitors who prefer not to use it, but the route is steep.
Transport, parking and activities
Plan fuel or a taxi/transfer between the city, Simon’s Town and Cape Point; a gate ticket does not provide transport between sites. Parking availability and any separately charged services should be checked with the destination. Cycling, fishing and other permitted activities can require additional permits. Online tickets also do not guarantee immediate admission if a site has reached capacity; SANParks manages entry on a first-come basis at busy times.
Opening hours and timing
Cape Point varies its entrance hours by season. The operator lists October–March entry from 06:00 to 18:00 and April–September from 07:00 to 17:00, with vehicles required to exit by sunset. The funicular, restaurant and shops have shorter schedules than the park gate, so a late arrival may leave too little time for those facilities.
SANParks’ Boulders attraction page does not present one fixed year-round schedule in the material reviewed. Check the live SANParks destination page and ticket date before setting out. In summer, arrive early: the site lists limited parking and can restrict access when visitor capacity is reached. Tide height affects available beach space, so check local tide times if swimming is part of the plan.
For Cape Point, keep an eye on wind, fire and road notices and build a buffer before closing. For Boulders, allow time for the boardwalks and penguin viewing without approaching or feeding the birds. Our Table Mountain hiking safety guide covers broader park-planning basics; if you are putting together a longer coastal day, see our Cape Town beaches guide as well.
How to claim the right rate
SANParks’ categories are specific. South African citizens must provide proof such as an SA ID, South African passport or driver’s licence. The rates page also recognises certain valid Home Affairs visas or permits in a foreign passport and proof of permanent residence, subject to its stated documentation rules. Adults over 18 must show proof of South African ID to receive the local rate. Bring an original, certified paper copy or an acceptable electronic copy, and check SANParks’ policy if your document type is unusual.
SADC nationals must qualify as nationals and show a valid passport for the SADC rate. A residence permit from a SADC country is not a substitute for SADC nationality. All other nationalities pay the standard conservation fee. SANParks has announced digital ID scanning at Cape Point and Boulders for verifying discounted local rates. If the correct category is not applied at the gate, SANParks says it will not refund the difference after entry.
Buying tickets online
SANParks’ Gate Tickets system lists Cape Point and Boulders among the Table Mountain National Park gates available for online purchase. You need a SANParks account, must select the destination and date, and should enter the correct age and visitor categories. Tickets are tied to the selected date; present the QR code on a phone or a printed copy. The SANParks FAQ says unused tickets have a limited validity extension, but admission remains subject to operating hours and capacity. Always read the current cancellation and date-change terms before paying.
Wild Card holders do not need to buy a gate ticket when their valid membership covers the site; they should arrive with the membership letter and identification. Separate activity permits may still be necessary for certain activities.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Cape Point entry in 2026/27?
The Cape of Good Hope section costs R115 per South African adult, R242 per SADC adult and R592 per standard-rate adult. Child rates are R57, R124 and R288 respectively.
How much is Boulders Beach?
Boulders costs R57 per South African adult, R118 per SADC adult and R282 per standard-rate adult. Children aged 2–11 pay R27, R59 or R138.
Do South African residents pay less?
Yes, eligible citizens and residents with the required identification can use the local category. Carry the documentation SANParks accepts and show it at the gate.
Are children charged?
Children aged 2–11 pay the child tariff. Adults are 12 and older. Children under two enter free.
Does a Wild Card cover entry?
A valid Wild Card covers eligible visitors at parks in its chosen cluster, including Table Mountain National Park for the SANParks or All Parks cluster. Bring the membership confirmation and ID.
Can I buy tickets online?
Yes. SANParks sells dated gate tickets online for both Cape Point and Boulders. Online purchase avoids paying at arrival but does not guarantee immediate entry when a site is full.
Are the fees per person or per vehicle?
They are per person. The listed adult and child categories apply regardless of how the group travels.
Does Cape Point entry include the funicular?
No. The Flying Dutchman Funicular is a separately charged service, and its 2026/27 rate was not verifiable when this guide was prepared.
For a visit between 1 November 2026 and 31 October 2027, budget from the new official rate card, choose the correct nationality and age bands, and carry proof for any discounted category. Add the funicular or activity costs separately, and check live operating information before leaving. Those three checks will prevent the most common surprises at the gate.
Official sources
- SANParks Daily Conservation Fees, 1 November 2026–31 October 2027 (PDF; source for all entrance rates).
- SANParks Rates & Entry Fees (eligibility and age-band policy).
- SANParks, visitor verification update, 11 February 2026 (digital ID checks at Cape Point and Boulders).
- SANParks Boulders Penguin Colony (boardwalks, access and site rules).
- SANParks Gate Tickets FAQ (online ticket terms and access).
- SANParks Wild Card Types & Pricing and Wild Card overview (2026/27 prices, validity and membership).
- Cape Point visitor information (seasonal entrance hours and separately operated funicular; current fare needs confirmation).