ADVENTURES IN MELKBOSSTRAND

Tandem skydiving
Hair-raising, yes. Unforgettable, absolutely. Tandem skydiving is offered by Extreme Scene at the Delta 200 Airfield near Melkbosstrand. The experience is guaranteed to knock your socks off as you climb to 9 000 feet before launching out of the plane, racing towards the ground. Although the free-fall lasts for only 30 seconds, when you’re plummeting towards earth it feels like a lifetime. Your jumpmaster will pull the parachute and you’ll then gently glide back to terra firma. Cherish the memory of your bravery forever with a DVD.

Depending on the weather, skydiving can be done seven days a week from 9h00. Cost is R2 850 pp. To book phone Gavin Pfister: 079 6669789.

Sandboarding & Dune Thrashing
Ride the gleaming dunes of Atlantis under the guidance of Dylan le Roux of Sandboarding Cape Town. Do it standing up, lying down or a combo of both. No experience? Don’t fret: all are welcome, including groups. Experienced instructors will guide riders through balancing and turning techniques. On the tandem run each boarder picks a partner and they’re then sent down a gentle slope with one in front and one controlling the board from the back. Bring closed shoes, sunglasses, sunblock, cameras and jackets. This is a year-round activity and the sessions last 2 hours. Cost is R450 – R700pp. Book: 084 6651314 or dylan@sandboardingcapetown.com.

But while we’re at it, something less laborious but twice the thrill is the Dune Thrasher – the rollercoaster of the dunes. Experienced drivers take visitors on a mean ride in this bad-boy 400hp V8 air suspension American Sandrail car – sideways, wheelies, you name it. Cost is R1 200pp for a minimum of two people in a 20-minute session. Contact: info@dunethrasher.com.

Quad biking
For an extreme rush, try out quad biking in the Atlantis dunes. Whether riding through the fast stretches or navigating technical sections, quadding will satisfy your need for speed. All bikes from Extreme Scene are fully automatic or semi-automatic, thus even the inexperienced can join the fun. A minimum of three people need to book and the cost is R900pp for an hour. Phone Gavin on 079 6669789.

Hiking
Located just off the R27, the Koeberg Nature Reserve has two walking trails. The Dikkop Trail is a circular walk (9.5 – 23.3 km) which meanders up north. It includes pristine strandveld, dune veld and a 2 km walk along the beach. The Grysbok Trail is a two-hour walk starting at the Visitor Centre. It includes a stretch along the beach and passes a salt marsh which is rich in birdlife. From there it sidles around the main reactor, heading for the beach on the Cape Town side.

Animals to look out for are grysbok, steenbok, bontebok, springbok, caracal, the African wild cat, grey mongoose and genet, plus 153 bird species. It’s not necessary to book, but do bring your ID along to sign in at the Visitor Centre kiosk. Phone: 021 5504021.

Laser games & Paintball
Anyone from age 9 upwards can come play cops and robbers at the Melkbos 4×4 Arena, off the R27. Safe and fuss-free, lasers games can be played indoors or outdoors. Cost is R150pp for a minimum of 12 players for two hours. Bookings essential: 064 6551894.

Paintball Pyrozone in Robben Rd, Melkbosstrand has three paintball fields offering different gaming scenarios: Speedball – a field with bunkers; Bush field – in natural vegetation; and Tournament field where the fastest paintballers test their mettle against each other. Rental packages are from R110pp. Book: paintballmelkbos1@gmail.com.