Twelve Apostles Helicopter Tour

Twelve Apostles Helicopter Tour

The Twelve Apostles helicopter tour is the mid-length scenic flight from the V&A Waterfront Heliport, dedicated to the eighteen-peak Twelve Apostles range that forms the back of Table Mountain. Aircraft is the Airbus H120 or H130 in the operator's rotation, both SACAA-maintained (the South African Civil Aviation Authority that licenses commercial flight operations). The route tracks the Atlantic Seaboard out past Cape Town Stadium, Lion's Head, Clifton and Camps Bay before flying alongside the Apostles, then turning back to the heliport.

What does the Twelve Apostles helicopter tour include?

The Twelve Apostles tour is a short scenic flight from the V&A Waterfront Heliport along the Atlantic Seaboard, then alongside the eighteen peaks of the Twelve Apostles range behind Camps Bay, returning over the city bowl. The flight is roughly fifteen minutes airborne and focused on the western flank of Table Mountain National Park, including Cape Town Stadium, Lion's Head, Clifton and Camps Bay. Aircraft is the Airbus H120 or H130 with noise-cancelling headsets and live pilot commentary on every flight.

Where does the Twelve Apostles helicopter tour fly?

The Twelve Apostles route runs from the V&A Waterfront Heliport south-west along the Atlantic Seaboard, with the eighteen-peak Apostles range as the route's main subject. From take-off, the flight passes Cape Town Stadium, Lion's Head, the four Clifton beaches and Camps Bay, then turns inland to fly alongside the Apostles before returning over the city bowl. It is the dedicated 12 Apostles helicopter Cape Town route as flown by Cape Town Helicopters from the V&A.

The order of sights from the V&A:

• Cape Town Stadium and Green Point. The 55,000-seat stadium and the Green Point Lighthouse pass below within ninety seconds of take-off.
• Lion's Head and Signal Hill. The two free-standing peaks framing the city bowl, with Bo-Kaap visible behind.
• Clifton and Camps Bay. The Atlantic Seaboard's main beaches, distinct from the air.
• The Twelve Apostles range. Eighteen sandstone peaks (not twelve, despite the name) running south from Table Mountain to Hout Bay. The flight tracks alongside them, not over.

The view of the Apostles from the air is the angle the cable car never gives you: the seaward face that drops straight into the Atlantic. Live pilot commentary through noise-cancelling headsets on every flight.

Who is the Twelve Apostles helicopter tour for?

The Twelve Apostles tour suits guests who want a longer flight than the Hopper without committing to the Atlantico's Hout Bay loop. It is a focused product: the route is the Apostles range and the Atlantic Seaboard, and the time on board is spent looking at one of the most photographed parts of Table Mountain National Park rather than splitting attention across several regions. It is also a mid-tier pick for photographers who want the cleanest light against the seaward face of the Apostles.

• Visitors who've done Table Mountain on foot or by cable car. The seaward face is the side you can't see from the summit.
• Photographers. The Apostles in late afternoon light are the cleanest aerial subjects on the Atlantic Seaboard.
• Guests upgrading from the Hopper. Same departure point, three extra airborne minutes, an extra subject.
• Small groups of three to four. Comfortable on a single aircraft as a shared scenic flight.

In our booking team's experience, the Twelve Apostles route is the most-asked second choice after the Hopper for first-time helicopter passengers, and the most-booked tour by guests who've already seen Table Mountain from the summit.

How does the Twelve Apostles tour compare to the Hopper?

The Twelve Apostles tour is roughly fifteen minutes airborne against the Hopper's twelve, and the route extends further south along the Atlantic Seaboard with dedicated time alongside the Apostles range. The Hopper turns back at Camps Bay; the Twelve Apostles continues past Llandudno's nose and runs the full length of the eighteen peaks. The Apostles route does not include the complimentary Day Cruise that comes with the Hopper booking.

For the longer Atlantic Seaboard route that loops Hout Bay and includes the BOS400 shipwreck, see the Atlantico helicopter tour page.

How does the Twelve Apostles helicopter tour booking work?

The Twelve Apostles tour runs as both a shared scenic flight (set departure times, four to six passengers per aircraft) and as private hire of the whole aircraft. Shared booking is the entry-level tier; private hire moves up to mid-tier and gives full control over the slot. Both formats use the same aircraft and pilots. Check-in is twenty to thirty minutes before take-off at the V&A Waterfront Heliport.

• Check-in: 20 to 30 minutes before take-off at the V&A Waterfront Heliport.
• Safety briefing and weight: every passenger weighs in for the load-balance calculation; mandatory.
• Headsets: noise-cancelling, one per passenger, with live pilot commentary.
• Children: under-twos free on a parent's lap; over-twos need their own seat.
• Weather: pilot's call. If the flight cancels for safety reasons, you reschedule or refund in full.

For pricing, scroll up to the booking form on this page; for the wider tour catalogue see the helicopter tour packages category or the editorial overview on the helicopter tour page.

Terms and Conditions

• The availability of all charters is subject to weather conditions and the charter operator's discretion.
• Booking and payment currency is in South African Rands.
• All charter bookings are subject to our Charter Terms and Conditions.
• You may be required to accept terms and conditions specific to the Charter Operator.
• The Charter Operator reserves the right to return the helicopter to base if operationally required and will collect from the wine estate at the appointed time.

How to Book

• Fill in the booking form for the charter you're interested in, and select whether you'd like us to quote for additional options.
• Once we've confirmed the booking date and time, we'll email you the charter quote, including additional options and our Charter Terms and Conditions.
• We'll send you your invoice and a secure payment link once we receive your acceptance of the quote and the signed booking terms and conditions.
• To secure your charter, simply make payment in full by bank transfer or a secure payment link.
• To avoid disappointment, it's best to reserve your charter early, especially during high season.
• Once we receive your payment, we'll send you a confirmation email for your charter with all the essential details.