South Africa · SAILING

The 13 Best Sailing Trips in South Africa

13 tours  ·  from $19

Every trip has one free day too few. These 13 sailing trips justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

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

1.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

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

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”

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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

2.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.”

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1 Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town - What the catamaran feels like on the water
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1 Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town

3.1 Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 258 reviews · from $21

Set out from the V&A Waterfront on a one-hour coastal cruise toward Green Point lighthouse and back. You get open-water views of Table Mountain, Cape Town, the stadium, and possible marine life, with morning and afternoon departures and a professional crew aboard.

“Great experience, saw dolphins, seals and a lonely penguin. Staff were friendly and helpful clear water”

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Cape Town Waterfront and Bay: Sailing Trip - Finding the boat at the V&A Waterfront
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Cape Town Waterfront and Bay: Sailing Trip

4.Cape Town Waterfront and Bay: Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 190 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Set out from Quay 5 on a one-hour cruise aboard Serenity One when wind allows. Your crew may teach you sailing terms, point out seals and dolphins, and choose a comfortable route toward Milnerton Lighthouse or Robben Island. Strong weather can mean a harbor cruise instead.

“We missed the boat we scheduled for but the amazing staff helped us reschedule for a different slot. Great ride.”

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1- Hour Catamaran Cruise Cape Town - What the catamaran adds to the experience
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1- Hour Catamaran Cruise Cape Town

5.1- Hour Catamaran Cruise Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · from $18Best value

Cruise Table Bay for 60 minutes aboard the 53-foot catamaran A Beautiful Life. From the V&A Waterfront, you’ll see Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town Harbour, and the Atlantic coast toward Clifton Beach, with soft music, fresh sea air, and a cash bar.

“The boat left almost :15 minutes late and killed almost :15 just sitting in a little bay rather than cruising the coast. We merely motored the boat and there was no attempt to sail despite other boats in the area with raised sails.”

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Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise with Light Dinner and Wine - Starting at the Knysna Waterfront
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Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise with Light Dinner and Wine

6.Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise with Light Dinner and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 2h 30m · from $124

Board the 50-foot sloop Outeniqua at Knysna Waterfront for a 2.5-hour sunset sail with an experienced skipper and deck crew. Expect the Knysna Heads, possible ocean sailing, cheeses, fruit, savory snacks, and two glasses of South African Cap Classique. Bring a warm jacket and leave your shoes behind.

“A great trip, the staff made us feel very welcome. Easton and Nigel took good care of us! Lovely snacks and bubbly made the experience even better.”

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Sailing in The Bay by Catamaran (One Hour) - Is $21.28 Good Value?
1-Hour Experiences, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Sailing in The Bay by Catamaran (One Hour)

7.Sailing in The Bay by Catamaran (One Hour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · from $21

Join Waterfront Charters at Quay 5 for a one-hour catamaran sail across Table Bay. Choose from the schooner Esperance or catamaran Serenity One, enjoy crew commentary and chilled drinks from the cash bar, and watch for Table Mountain, Robben Island, dolphins, and whales.

“Outstanding experience for me. A pod of dolphins swam with our catamaran for around 10 minutes and I will never forget this.”

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Catamaran Sunset Champagne Cruise Cape Town - Ninety minutes aboard A Beautiful Life
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Catamaran Sunset Champagne Cruise Cape Town

8.Catamaran Sunset Champagne Cruise Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · from $37

Sail from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront aboard the catamaran A Beautiful Life for a 90-minute sunset cruise. Sip a welcome glass of sparkling wine, watch Table Mountain and Robben Island change color, and keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, penguins, and other marine life.

“No catamaran available so a replacement was offered. It was ok but not quite the same experience.. no safety talk, no greeting, not champagne but ok fizz! However, the sunset was spectacular and everything aside I would absolutely recommend you see it. Tip: take a blanket or layer up.. it can get chilly…”

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Cape Town: Catamaran Champagne Sunset Cruise - The Atlantic seaboard route toward Clifton Beach
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Cape Town: Catamaran Champagne Sunset Cruise

9.Catamaran Champagne Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · from $37

Join the A Beautiful Life catamaran at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront for a roughly 90-minute sunset cruise toward Clifton Beach and back. You’ll receive a glass of sparkling wine, enjoy romantic music, and have room to watch Table Mountain, the city, and the Atlantic. Bring a warm layer for the wind.

“Perfekte 90 Minuten. Leute waren cool. Crew war super aufmerksam. Locker und lustig.”

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Cape Town: Table Bay Cruise by Catamaran - Choosing the best seat on the 39-foot Escape Cat
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Table Bay Cruise by Catamaran

10.Table Bay Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 32 reviews · 1 hour · from $19

Join Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures for a one-hour English-language catamaran sail in Table Bay. From the foredeck trampolines, you get open sea views. A covered aft area, captain’s chat, and cash bar offer a calmer ride. Keep watch for dolphins, seals, penguins, and more.

“A great way to spend an hour in CT. The crew were all great - so welcoming and friendly - it was obvious they wanted us all to have a great experience. The cruise was lovely with the crew taking the time to point out features of interest - sea otters, seals, penguins, dolphins and jellyfish ( sand fish) . The crew changed direction to follow the dolphins so we had great views of them jumping and swimming around the boat. Would highly recommend.”

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Cape Town: 1 Hour Table Bay Sailing Tour - From harbor water to open Table Bay
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Cape Town: 1 Hour Table Bay Sailing Tour

11.1 Hour Table Bay Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · 1 hour · from $21

Join the 45-passenger Spirit of Victoria at Quay 5 for a one-hour English-language sail across Table Bay. You’ll see Table Mountain and Cape Town from the water, with a cash bar serving sparkling wine, beer, and cold drinks. The route usually heads toward Milnerton lighthouse before returning via Granger Bay.

“Even though it was my friend and I they still took us on a tour. It was amazing”

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Knysna: Luxury Catamaran Marine Adventure Tour - A luxury catamaran with room for a slower pace
Cruises & Boat Tours, Garden Route Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Tours, VIP

Knysna: Luxury Catamaran Marine Adventure Tour

12.Luxury Catamaran Marine Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 16 reviews · 2 hours · from $84

Set out from Sirocco Jetty on Thesen Island for a two-hour luxury catamaran cruise across Knysna Lagoon and, weather permitting, through the Knysna Heads. You’ll enjoy a glass of bubbly, light snacks, fresh ocean air, and possible sightings of seals, dolphins, and other marine life.

“Excellent cruise and fabulous crew which made for an exceptional and memorable experience.”

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Knysna: 1.5-Hour Sailing Experience - Why Outeniqua changes the feel of the trip
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Knysna: 1.5-Hour Sailing Experience

13.1.5-Hour Sailing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5 reviews · 1h 30m · from $95

Join Stephan and the crew aboard Outeniqua, Knysna’s only chartered monohull sailing yacht, for a 90-minute trip from the Waterfront through the estuary toward the Knysna Heads. With room for only 12 people, this is an intimate sail with a cash bar, toilet, and ocean access when weather allows.

“Mooie zeiltocht waar we volop van genoten hebben ; vriendelijk personeel en goede service ! Wij komen terug.”

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