Why the Atlantis Dunes Cape Town Should Be on Your Cape Town Bucket List

Sand here, sand there, sand everywhere. Just 40 to 50 minutes from Cape Town, the Atlantis Dunes Cape Town offer a landscape that feels completely different from the rest of the city. Rolling white sand stretches as far as the eye can see, creating what is probably the closest thing Cape Town has to a desert.

It is also one of the city’s most popular destinations for adventure seekers. If you’d like to watch instead, click here.

There are several ways to experience the dunes, including quad biking, sandboarding and 4×4 driving. On our visit, we decided to explore the area on a guided quad bike ride with WildX Adventures. We chose this option because it was at a discounted rate, and came with a dedicated photo shoot too!

You’ll first pay your conservation fee (which is separate from the activity). The experience begins with a short demonstration covering the basics of operating the quad bikes. Even if you have never ridden one before, the learning curve is small and most people will feel comfortable within a few minutes.

Once everyone is ready, the guides lead the group through the dunes in a single file.

Atlantis Dunes Cape Town

The tour is less about learning the history of the area and more about enjoying the ride itself. A WildX guide leads from the front while guests follow through the winding dunes and open stretches of sand.

As expected, there are speed restrictions in place for safety reasons. While some experienced riders may wish they could go a little faster, the rules help ensure the activity remains safe for everyone on the dunes. We did end up being a bit bored at some point towards the end, because we were all just following each other, but this was for a very short time before the end.

Once we reached a specific point, our guide stopped and asked us to pose for pictures. He even suggested different poses we could do, which was really cool. The dunes create an incredible backdrop, and having someone willing to help capture the moment definitely enhanced the experience.

The scenery is what truly makes the activity memorable. The vast white dunes create a landscape that feels more like something you would expect to find hundreds of kilometres away from Cape Town. Whether you’re riding, sandboarding or simply taking photographs, the views alone make the trip worthwhile.

At the time of our visit, quad bike rides were advertised at R1,000 per person, although discounts and promotions are often available. We managed to book our ride for R500 per person. You can book the same experience here.

One piece of advice: always confirm your booking before making the journey. Atlantis is a fair distance from Cape Town, and you do not want to arrive only to discover there has been a scheduling issue. We had a bit of a scare with this, but since we had proof of booking, they were able to sort it for us.

If quad biking is not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to explore the dunes. Sandboarding is a popular option for visitors looking for a different kind of thrill, while 4×4 enthusiasts can also access certain sections of the dunes with the necessary permits.

Whether you are a local looking for a weekend adventure or a visitor wanting to experience a different side of Cape Town, the Atlantis Dunes are well worth the trip.

Few places so close to the city feel this far removed from it.

Bookmark this for your the next time you’re looking for something fun to do! Want more travel recommendations, both in and outside South Africa? Follow us @afor_adventures or subscribe to our food & travel blog – always honest, always helpful.