Sailing Trips in South Africa: 13 That Survive a Close Look

1.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

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

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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2.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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3.1 Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town

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

Set out from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on a one-hour coastal catamaran cruise. You’ll sail toward Green Point lighthouse, enjoy open views of Table Mountain and the city, then return to the same dock. Morning and afternoon departures make this an easy add-on to a Cape Town day.

“The cruise was awesome and very refreshing. Water is very therapeutic for me and it’s always lovely to be around it. Enjoyed the cruise”

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4.Cape Town Waterfront and Bay: Sailing Trip

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

Spend one hour on Table Bay aboard Serenity One when conditions allow, learning sailing basics from an English-speaking crew. Depending on the wind, you may head toward Milnerton Lighthouse or Robben Island. Calm or rough weather can bring a motorboat or harbor cruise instead. Meet at Waterfront Charters beside Sevruga Restaurant.

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

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5.1- Hour Catamaran Cruise Cape Town

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

Spend 60 minutes aboard A Beautiful Life, a 53-foot catamaran leaving the V&A Waterfront for Table Bay and Clifton Beach. You’ll see Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town Harbour, and the Atlantic coast from the water, with soft music, a cash bar, and a maximum of 60 passengers.

“This was a terrible experience. Firstly, we were told at the last minute just before boarding that we would be on a simple double-decker boat and not a catamaran. We booked a catamaran tour because it sits slightly more calmly on the water. Read more”

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6.Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise with Light Dinner and Wine

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

Spend 150 minutes aboard the 50-foot Outeniqua, Knysna’s only chartered mono hull sailing yacht. Your skipper and deck crew guide you from the lagoon toward the Knysna Heads, and possibly out to sea if conditions allow. Enjoy cheeses, fruit, savory snacks, and two glasses of South African Cap Classique.

“A lovely evening cruise with an expert and very friendly crew”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · from $21

Set out from Quay 5 at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on a one-hour catamaran sail aboard Serenity One or the 16-meter schooner Esperance. Your skipper chooses the route based on wind and comfort, with views toward Robben Island, Milnerton, Clifton, or Sea Point. Crew commentary, music, and a cash bar add to the easygoing cruise.

“Wonderful moments ❤️ we saw whales and others fish 🐟 the music was top, the vibe was good, we had an amazing time”

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8.Catamaran Sunset Champagne Cruise Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · from $37

Sail for 90 minutes from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront aboard a catamaran, with Table Mountain and Robben Island in view. Adults receive a sparkling-wine welcome drink, while children receive a soft drink. Bring a warm layer, arrive early to find the boat, and expect a social cruise with music, sea air, and possible marine-life sightings.

“An enjoyable experience on the water in the Red catamaran party boat. Crew pleasant and efficient making a fun adventure. A lovely touch; The song Africa by TOTO was played as the sun was setting. One process that could be streamlined is moving customers from the Sales Office to the boat. It is confusing as you have to move between buildings and alleyways to the mooring quay, a distance from the Office. Clear signage is needed or a written diagram.”

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9.Catamaran Champagne Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · from $37

Join Waterfront Boat Tours aboard A Beautiful Life, a modern catamaran, for a roughly 90-minute sunset sail from the V&A Waterfront toward Clifton Beach. You’ll receive a glass of sparkling wine, hear romantic music, and have open views of Table Mountain, Cape Town, and the Atlantic. Bring a warm layer for the windy return ride.

“This was such a fun way to see Cape Town! The staff was super friendly and helpful, offering to take pictures, passing out more champagne, and stopping to point out whales!”

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10.Table Bay Cruise by Catamaran

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

Spend an hour aboard the 39-foot Escape Cat, sailing from the Waterfront along Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard. Sit on the forward trampolines, chat with the captain under cover, watch for seals, dolphins, penguins, and jellyfish, and buy cold drinks from the onboard bar. English-speaking crew lead the trip.

“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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11.1 Hour Table Bay Sailing Tour

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

Board the 45-seat Spirit of Victoria at Wild Horizons on Quay 5 for a one-hour English-language sail across Table Bay. Expect views of Table Mountain, Cape Town, and the waterfront, plus a licensed cash bar serving sparkling wine, beer, and soft 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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12.Luxury Catamaran Marine Adventure Tour

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

Meet at Sirocco Jetty on Thesen Island for a two-hour catamaran sail through Knysna Lagoon and, weather permitting, the Knysna Heads. You will have a glass of bubbly, light snacks, ocean air, and possible sightings of seals and dolphins. The crew speaks English and Afrikaans.

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

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13.1.5-Hour Sailing Experience

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

Join the crew aboard Outeniqua, Knysna’s only chartered mono-hull sailing yacht, for a 90-minute trip from the Waterfront to the Knysna Heads. Expect classic hands-on sailing, forested hills, a cash bar, and possible Indian Ocean sailing when weather and sea conditions permit. Stephan and the deck crew have earned warm praise for their service.

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

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