Scratch Patch Mineral World & Cave Golf

Scratch Patch Mineral World & Cave Golf offers a unique treasure-hunting experience where children can dig through bowls of tumbled semi-precious stones and fill a small bag to take home. Located in scenic Simon's Town near the penguin colony, this attraction combines hands-on gemstone sorting with mini-golf in a cave-themed setting, making it a perfect rainy day activity or complement to a Cape Town coastal adventure.

• ✓Hands-on gemstone digging experience where kids keep all their finds
• ✓Cave-themed mini-golf course that adds extra entertainment value
• ✓Educational displays about minerals and gemstones from South Africa and worldwide
• ✓Retail section where children can purchase additional polished stones, jewelry, and fossils
• ✓Staff assistance with identifying the different stones children find

1. 1.Bring a small backpack or extra bag as kids often want to purchase additional stones or jewelry from the retail section after their dig.
2. 2.Visit on weekday mornings (especially Tuesday through Thursday) to avoid weekend crowds and have more elbow room at the digging stations.
3. 3.Wear comfortable clothes that can get dusty. The stones are clean but tumbled minerals can leave residue on hands and clothing.
4. 4.Combine your visit with the nearby Boulders Beach penguin colony (10 minutes away) for a full day in Simon's Town.
5. 5.Allow extra time for the retail shop where kids can have their finds identified and learn about different minerals. Staff are knowledgeable and patient with curious children.

Weekday mornings between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM offer the quietest experience. The venue is perfect for Cape Town's occasional rainy days. Summer months (December to February) can be busier with local school holidays, so shoulder seasons (March to May, September to November) provide good weather with fewer crowds.

Entry to dig for stones costs approximately 50-100 ZAR per child (check current pricing). The venue has free parking on-site. No food is sold on premises, but you can bring snacks. Simon's Town has numerous family-friendly restaurants within 5 minutes' drive.

Open year-round with consistent hours. South African school holidays (December, April, July, September) bring larger crowds of local families. The indoor nature of the attraction makes it ideal during Cape Town's winter rainy season (June to August).

The Lighthouse Cafe in Simon's Town (5 minutes away) offers kid-friendly fish and chips with harbor views. Bertha's Restaurant at the Simon's Town Quayside has a children's menu and outdoor seating where families can watch boats and seals.