South Africa · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Boat Trips in South Africa: The 15 Best Sailings

109 tours  ·  from $6

Harbour cruises under Table Mountain, whale boats out of Hermanus, lagoon runs at Knysna. The 15 below range from a forty-minute sunset sail to a full day on the water, each priced and honest about what the wind can cancel.

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - Use the blue route for Table Mountain and the Atlantic coast
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Cape Town, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, 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

Use a one or two-day City Sightseeing pass to explore Cape Town on red, blue, and purple routes. Audio commentary comes in 15 languages, buses offer panoramic views and Wi-Fi, and optional extras include a harbour cruise and sunset tour. Hop off for Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch, District Six, or Groot Constantia.

“It was perfect. Nice ride, good info in ears and nice drop at Tablemountain”

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Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise - The red city and coast route
Cape Town Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Cape Town, Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Cape Town, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, 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 one or two-day hop-on hop-off pass covering the city, Atlantic coast, Kirstenbosch, Hout Bay, and Constantia wineries. You get multilingual audio commentary, Wi-Fi, free walking tours, and frequent buses. Add a harbor cruise, sunset ride, or township tour for a fuller day.

“Fantastic day wine tasting. Our guide, Rico was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and told us about the areas visited.”

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

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

3.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

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

Board at Hermanus New Harbour for a 90-minute whale-watching trip with an English-speaking guide, safety briefing, and ocean wildlife viewing. The crew may spot southern right whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. You can use the upper deck in good conditions, and the boat stops with engines off near whales.

“A great trip out seeing the whales. 2 hours was the perfect amount of time, and we managed to catch many breaching whales at sunset too. Would highly recommend!”

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Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise - Leaving the harbor and finding your sea legs
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Cape Town

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

4.Sunset Champagne Cruise

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

Spend 90 minutes on the Atlantic aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel. You’ll leave the V&A Waterfront, follow a weather-dependent route toward Milnerton, Clifton, or Robben Island, and return around sunset with two glasses of local sparkling wine. Expect sea views, music, friendly crew, and a chilly ride home.

“It was amazing! Definitely the highlight of my trip so far ⭐️ loved that it wasn’t too crowded, and the guides were absolutely awesome”

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip - Searching for southern right whales
Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Hermanus, Dolphin Watching, Hermanus Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching in Hermanus

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

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

From Hermanus New Harbour, you’ll join Southern Right Charters for a two-hour catamaran cruise with an English-speaking whale specialist. Expect seasonal southern right and humpback whales, year-round Bryde’s whales and dolphins, light refreshments, and wide viewing areas. Guides including Ken, Jacques, and David have led past trips, with optional drone footage available to buy.

“Very well organised. They offered us coffee, tea, and cupcakes before the tour. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a whale, but since it was the last day of the season, that was understandable. Still, we had an amazing time with around 300 dolphins and even saw some seals. I would definitely do it again, just in the middle of the season to see the whales.”

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

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

Board a roofed 15-seat boat at Siyabonga Jetty for a two-hour cruise on the St Lucia Estuary. Guides such as Thobile, Brandon, and Mr Brown have led guests past hippo families, Nile crocodiles, fish eagles, and other wildlife. Bring binoculars, a jacket, and snacks. Crocodiles are possible, but hippos are the dependable sighting.

“It was brilliant. We saw loads of hippo. The guide had very interesting facts about the hippo , birds their nesting habits. The area. Most interesting fact was that the hippo wonder around the town. Naturally we thought he was telling a tall story. Naturally we drove sound every nite hunting them down. On our last nite, a HUGE hippo strolled up the side street past the Reef & Dune. Made our holiday!”

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Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly - Table Bay with Table Mountain behind you
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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

Join Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures for a 90-minute sunset sail from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront aboard a 58-foot gaff-rigged schooner with red-brown sails. You’ll pass Table Bay, Milnerton lighthouse, and Granger Bay, with two glasses of sparkling wine included. Crew members such as Tyson and Captain Lucky are known for keeping the mood warm and lively.

“Fun trip around the bay as the sun set. Spotted seals too. Great group of people, not crowded and the bubbles were flowing. Great team”

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Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise - Wildlife watching without false promises
1-Hour Experiences, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Cape Town, 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

Take a one-hour power-catamaran cruise from Quay 5 at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to Green Point Lighthouse and back. You’ll get wide views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic coast, with a chance to spot seals, dolphins, penguins, whales, or sunfish. English-speaking crew, a cash bar, music, and photo help add to the outing.

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

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Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - Why the small group changes the experience
Cape Peninsula Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Penguin Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

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

Set out from Port Elizabeth at 8am on Raggy Charters’ twin-engine catamaran for a four-hour wildlife cruise in Algoa Bay. With a maximum of 20 people, the crew takes a slow, careful approach to whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, and African penguins around St. Croix Island. The tour runs once daily and includes conservation guidance and carbon-offset tree planting.

“We had a wonderful experience! The team was super helpful, engaged and living for their mission. We were so lucky to see jot only dolphins, seals, two whales but also a hammerhead shark and a bunch of penguins swimming to feed. Would recommend everytime!”

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Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco - The Route Toward Table Bay
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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 for 90 minutes aboard a luxury catamaran. You’ll have two glasses of local sparkling wine, open sea views, music, and possible sightings of dolphins, whales, penguins, seals, or sunfish. The crew speaks English, and the mood can shift from relaxed sunset watching to a lively singalong on the return.

“This is more of a fun cruise than a romantic one, and the bubbles were ick, but boy, if you're looking for spectacular views and sunsets, and a serious party on the way back, this is for you! We had such a good time.”

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

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

11.30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

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

From Wilson’s Wharf, your English-speaking skipper takes you through Durban’s working harbor, past tugboats, docks, container ships, yachts, and birds. Guides such as Mr Zulu and Mr Ngwenya have been praised for clear explanations, while music adds a festive touch. Bring sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, and your own cold drink.

“every thing was grate no complains, we enjoyed every moment”

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Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food - Arriving through Kommando Nek Nature Reserve
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Food & Drink, Pilanesberg & Sun City Tours, Tour Reviews

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

12.Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

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

Spend two hours aboard the Harties Boat Company vessel, cruising Hartbeespoort Dam beneath the Magaliesberg Mountains. You’ll receive a welcome drink, South African hot and cold finger foods, music, and access to Kommando Nek Nature Reserve. Choose the 10 AM, 1 PM, or 4 PM sailing, and bring cash or a card for the onboard bar.

“The overall experience was great. what can be improved is the seats and tables that were used.”

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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour - Shark Alley and Geyser Rock
Big 5 Safaris, Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Hermanus, Hermanus Tours, 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

Cruise from Kleinbaai into the Dyer Island ecosystem with an English-speaking marine biologist. Look for whales, sharks, dolphins, Cape fur seals, and penguins, then warm up with soup and bread. Cape Town transfers can include the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. Sea conditions decide both timing and sightings.

“It was good. Saw Southern right whales, sharks that were being baited by shark cage boat company. Seals were great, went to island with penguins. Couldn’t really see them because boat could not get close enough. That was disappointing.”

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Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles - Milnerton Lighthouse and the first coastal views
Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours in Cape Town, 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

Join Wild Horizons at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront for a 90-minute sunset sail on a 39-foot catamaran. You’ll pass Milnerton Lighthouse, cross Granger Bay, and watch Table Mountain fade into evening light with two glasses of sparkling wine. Expect music, an English-speaking crew, and possible whale, dolphin, seal, or penguin sightings.

“Insane sunset. Great atmosphere and we were even lucky enough to see a whale”

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Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner - A 90-minute route shaped by the wind
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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

Sail for 90 minutes from the V&A Waterfront aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel, with two glasses of local sparkling wine and sunset views toward Table Bay. Then stroll ashore for a 3-course meal at City Grill or Raj. Bring a warm jacket and arrive 30 minutes early.

“was fantastic. highly recommend it. great crew on cruise too. and dinner was absolutely amazing.”

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