South Africa · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in South Africa

100 tours  ·  from $5

Half an hour on Durban harbour or a full day out of Gansbaai. The 15 below range from a sunset catamaran off the Waterfront to hippo cruises at St Lucia, each priced and clear about how long you are actually on the water.

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - The blue route brings the mountain and coast together
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

1.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,929 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $23Our pick

See Cape Town at your own pace on open-top buses covering the city, coast, and Constantia. Use the multilingual audio guide, hop off at Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch, or the V&A Waterfront, and add a harbor cruise or sunset ride if available.

“the service was great. it was convenient and good value. it took me all around cape town, stopping at many major attractions. there was no guide but an audio description. thoroughly recommend it”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise - The city route from the aquarium to Table Mountain
Cape Town Tours, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise

2.Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,793 reviews · from $20

See Cape Town at your own pace on a 1 or 2-day hop-on hop-off pass covering the city, coast, Kirstenbosch, Hout Bay, and Constantia wineries. Expect clear audio in 15 languages, free Wi-Fi, walking tours, and optional harbor or sunset trips. Wine-route guide Rico is praised for his local insight.

“Experience was the best to see most of Mother Nature.We will be doing it again towards end of the year”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience - The ride across Walker Bay
Cruises & Boat Tours, Hermanus Tours, Hermanus Whale Watching, Hermanus Whale Watching in Hermanus, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

3.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,180 reviews · 1h 30m · from $93

Board a boat at Hermanus New Harbour for a 90-minute whale search in Walker Bay. An English-speaking guide explains whale behavior while you watch for southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Boats have open viewing areas, and sightings can include mothers, calves, and breaching whales.

“We saw several mother and calf pairs of Southern Right Whales, playing around near the surface of the sea.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise - Finding Shop 5 at the V&A Waterfront
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

4.Sunset Champagne Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,083 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

Sail from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront for 90 minutes aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel. Expect two glasses of local sparkling wine, sunset views toward Table Bay or Clifton, friendly crew, and possible music, dolphins, or whales when conditions allow.

“Wonderful opportunity to see Cape Town from the water and take in the sunset.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip - Checking in at the Whale Shack
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Hermanus Tours, Hermanus Whale Watching, Hermanus Whale Watching in Hermanus, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $98

Join Southern Right Charters in Hermanus for a two-hour cruise aboard a purpose-built catamaran. A whale specialist such as Ken, Jacques, or David explains the wildlife while you look for southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales, dolphins, and seals. Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and light snacks are included.

“What a beautiful experience: From the expert introduction to Hermanus' whales by Ken, to the explanations of Jacques and the Crew taking care of us and making sure to keep watching out for marine life, this tour was great. Not only did we find ourselves in the middle of a large school of dolphins and did spot a whale while it was already end of season. I also felt the Crew did run the tour with expertise, ensuring to not chase the animals but give them space to approach us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel - The first stretch across the estuary
Cruises & Boat Tours, St Lucia Tours, Tour Reviews

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

6.Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Join Shoreline Boat Cruises at Siyabonga Jetty for a two-hour Lake St Lucia safari. A 15-seat, low-sided boat brings you close to hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, and birdlife, while English-speaking guides such as Thobile explain the estuary and its wildlife.

“Was nice, enjoyed the river and managed to see a croc”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly - The first glass of bubbly and the view across Table Bay
Cape Town Sunset Cruises, Cape Town Sunset Cruises in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly

7.Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 777 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Board Wild Horizons’ red-brown-sailed 58-foot Gaff-rigged schooner at the V&A Waterfront for a 90-minute sunset sail. You’ll pass Table Bay, Milnerton lighthouse, and Granger Bay, with two glasses of sparkling wine, live English commentary, music, and possible sightings of dolphins or seals.

“My husband and I enjoyed this so so much, our tour group wasn't to friendly but the tour guides made up for that and kept us entertained so much that my husband booked another tour for the next day🥹. Thanks Tyson for everything you really made us feel very welcome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise - The first view: Cape Town opening behind you
1-Hour Experiences, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

8.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 777 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Cruise from Quay 5 at the V&A Waterfront to Green Point Lighthouse and back aboard a power catamaran. You get open views of Table Mountain, Cape Town, and the Atlantic, with chances to spot seals, dolphins, penguins, whales, or sunfish. Some departures feature guides such as Charlie or Rock.

“really nice boat, the staffs were really amazing and extremely attentive. I will definitely do it again”

Check availability →Read our full review

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - Dolphins at the bow and beyond the islands
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Port Elizabeth Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185Top rated

Meet Jake and the Raggy Charters crew at 8am for a four-hour catamaran cruise through Algoa Bay. You may see humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, African penguins, seals, seabirds, and more, with a small group capped at 20 and a strong focus on marine conservation.

“Great tour. It was a really rainy day but the crew made it an enjoyable experience. We saw lots of dolphins as well as penguins. Highly recommend this tour for all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco - Meeting at the V&A Waterfront
Cape Town Sunset Cruises, Cape Town Sunset Cruises in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, VIP

Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

10.1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 668 reviews · 1h 30m · from $57

Sail from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront toward Table Bay on a 90-minute luxury catamaran cruise. You’ll see Table Mountain from the water, receive two glasses of local sparkling wine, and may spot dolphins, whales, penguins, seals, or sunfish. Expect music, friendly English-speaking crew, wind, and a possible chop.

“The boat was nice, the views wet amazing, and me and my friends had an amazing time! I’d definitely recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise - Leaving from Wilson’s Wharf
Cruises & Boat Tours, Durban Tours, Tour Reviews

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

11.30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 665 reviews · 30 min · from $7

Join an English-speaking skipper at Wilson’s Wharf for a 30-minute cruise through Durban’s working harbor. See container ships, tugboats, cargo docks, yachts, birds, and the city skyline. Guides such as Mr Zulu and Mr Ngwenya have been praised for clear explanations, while music keeps the short ride lively.

“The activity was good I enjoyed my self and my daughter also enjoyed, i think you should fix the path that leads you to the boat it broken and at the same time it shakes , my nearly fell coz she was walking on the broken path, other than that, I’m will to share my experience with my friends”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food - The two-hour route: scenery rather than scheduled stops
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Hartbeespoort Tours, Tour Reviews

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

12.2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 621 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Spend two relaxed hours on Hartbeespoort Dam aboard the Harties Boat Company vessel. Expect a welcome drink, South African finger foods, music, and wide views of the Magaliesberg Mountains and waterfront homes. Captains such as Rasta and photographer Rene have helped make past cruises memorable.

“The boat was so massive,clean ,comfortable and nice ,the chefs,bartender and waitress were so very polite,they are hard workers and friendly.hoo,the food was delicious,everything is so perfect. I will come again”

Check availability →Read our full review

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour - Starting at The Great White House in Kleinbaai
Big Five Game Drives, Big Five Game Drives in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Shark Cage Diving, Shark Cage Diving in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

13.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 593 reviews · 2.5 - 10 hours · from $155

Set out from Kleinbaai with Marine Dynamics Whale Tours to search for the Marine Big 5 around Dyer Island. Expect a safety briefing, warm gear, about two hours at sea, a marine biologist on board, soup afterward, and an optional penguin sanctuary visit with Cape Town transfers.

“We could not hear well what the guide was telling us through the loudspeakers but we could ask her if we wanted to know something. Apart from that we saw whales for a lot of time (unbeatable experience), sharks, playful seals and penguins (from a distance). We are very satisfied and we highly recommend it”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles - Boarding at Quay 5 in the V&A Waterfront
Cape Town Sunset Cruises, Cape Town Sunset Cruises in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles

14.Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 591 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40

Set sail from Shop 7 at Quay 5 in the V&A Waterfront on a 90-minute sunset cruise aboard a 39-foot catamaran. You’ll pass Milnerton Lighthouse, cross Granger Bay, toast Table Mountain with two glasses of sparkling wine, and return to the lit-up Waterfront. Crew members such as Captain Fanie, Dylan, and Steven may be aboard.

“The Catamaran sunset tour was memorable. Music was not too loud today. And everyone got 2 glass of champagne as expected. I was surprised they provided blankets for journey back as after sunset it became a bit cold. Make sure you as well take sweater or jacket, it is sea activity after all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner - Esperance, Serenity One, and the boat you actually board
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner

15.Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 528 reviews · 4 hours · from $78

Spend four hours with Waterfront Charters on a 90-minute sunset sail aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel, with two glasses of local sparkling wine. Afterward, walk to City Grill or Raj for a three-course dinner. Bring a warm jacket, as Table Bay can turn chilly.

“A great team who were helpful, attentive and very funny. This was an amazing experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 4.7Sightseeing Cruise on CoquetteFrom $319 reviews
★ 4.7Luxury Catamaran Marine Adventure TourFrom $8416 reviews
★ 5.0Private Sunset Cruise on Knysna LagoonFrom $1245 reviews
★ 4.7Knysna Lagoon: Pontoon Sunset CruiseFrom $523 reviews
★ 4.9Knysna Lagoon Pontoon Boat CruiseFrom $2944 reviews
★ 4.82.5-Hour Day Sail & Lunch CharterFrom $1439 reviews
★ 4.91.5-Hour Sailing ExperienceFrom $955 reviews
★ 4.7Scenic Cruise Aboard a Luxury Lounge CruiserFrom $2855 reviews
★ 4.2Hartbeespoort Dam: 1 Hour Cruise & Sunday Buffet LunchFrom $4021 reviews
★ 4.330 MINUTE HARBOUR CRUISEFrom $188 reviews
★ 4.6Shark Dive & Whale Watching Combo Boat TripFrom $29222 reviews
★ 4.9Shark Cage Diving and Shark Viewing Boat TripFrom $16114 reviews
★ 3.6From Marloth Park: Sunset River Cruise SafariFrom $878 reviews
★ 3.8Blyde River Canyon Highlight & Boat CruiseFrom $1729 reviews
★ 5.0Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Boat TripFrom $2196 reviews

Keep browsing

Cape Town Sunset Cruises12Hermanus Whale Watching28Whale Watching26Shark Cage Diving23Scuba Diving17Canoes & Kayaks14Sailing13
Scroll to Top

Explore South Africa

Pick a reserve, a coastline or a cellar.

In the parks

Big Five Game DrivesKruger SafarisPilanesbergAddo ElephantsHluhluwe-iMfolozi

On the water

Whale BoatsShark CagesSunset CruisesBoat TripsDiving

Around Cape Town

Table MountainCape PointBoulders PenguinsRobben IslandLion’s Head

Food and wine

Winelands DaysWine TastingsFood ToursCooking ClassesThe Bo-Kaap