Bucketlist Item: Helicopter Ride, Cape Town

Travellers and adventurers alike often ask us: is the helicopter ride in Cape Town worth it? You can also watch our experience here.

In a nutshell? If you are visiting Cape Town for the first time and have the budget to splurge, the views are amazing. If not, we can recommend other activities for you!

This one has been sitting on our bucket list forever! And we finally got to tick it off our list. If you’ve ever seen those dreamy aerial shots of Cape Town and wondered what it’s like to see the city from up there, here’s the full breakdown of our experience.

The helicopter dashboard, just before take-off

The Process

The whole thing starts at their satellite office at the V&A Waterfront, where you check in and get assigned a shuttle to the main helipad office. Once you’re there, it’s admin time: you submit your weight, sign disclaimers, and wait for your chopper.

🔈 It gets really noisy in the waiting area — if you’ve got noise-cancelling earphones, use them!

Aliasgher covering his ears from the loud noises

The Helicopter Ride in Cape Town Itself

Walking up to the helicopter is exhilarating. The blades are spinning, your heart’s racing, and you just know this will be one of those unforgettable moments. The staff seat you in a way that balances the helicopter, so don't expect to choose your seat, and once you’re strapped in, you’ll get a pair of headphones for noise-cancelling and listening to the pilot.

The pilot also acts as a guide during the flight, pointing out places and giving quick facts about what you’re seeing below.

Honest Opinions from Both of Us

• Saleha: Loved it. I had the window seat, and the views were lekker. Seeing the ocean, the city, and Table Mountain from above gives you such a larger-than-life perspective.

• Aliasgher: Felt it was cool, but not wildly different from paragliding. And honestly, paragliding feels more immersive. You're literally in the air by yourself.
  

We both agreed that the “guided” part of the tour could be better. Most of the info is geared towards tourists, which makes sense, but some info shared was… well, a bit off (our pilot said Cape Point is the southernmost tip of Africa. Not quite. That’s Cape Agulhas, my guy.)

Price & Duration

We did the 12-minute flight, which sounds short, but it’s honestly enough to get a proper bird’s-eye view of the city. Alternatively, there are 16 min and 24 min options too. It’s a costly experience, so we’d recommend it if:

• You have the budget for it

• You’re looking to celebrate something special

• You’re treating someone to a big moment (birthday, proposal, etc.)
  

Want to book your own helicopter ride or add it to your Cape Town itinerary? Contact us or check our Cape Town Travel Guide!