On the water · CAPE TOWN BOAT TOURS
Deck space is finite and the good departures go early. These 15 cape town boat tours are priced and timed so you can decide in a couple of minutes and get on with the rest of the trip.
Use a one or two-day City Sightseeing pass to explore Cape Town by red, blue, and purple routes. Hop off at Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch, the V&A Waterfront, District Six, and Groot Constantia. Add a harbour cruise or sunset ride, then use the multilingual audio guide to understand what you are seeing.
“I have enjoyed both rides, the hop hop sight seeing bus a cruise harbour”
Use a 1 or 2-day pass on Cape Town’s red, blue, and Constantia wine routes. Hop off at Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Camps Bay, Hout Bay, the V&A Waterfront, or Groot Constantia. Audio commentary comes in 15 languages, with kids’ narration, free Wi-Fi, walking tours, and an optional harbor cruise.
“Traveling with teen. Busses were frequent and clean. Easy check in process. Audio guide was excellent, informative and entertaining. Offered a great look at Cape Town. Stopped at all the key locations.”
Set out from the V&A Waterfront for a 90-minute sunset cruise aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel. Sip two glasses of local sparkling wine while the crew sets a course toward Table Bay, Clifton, or Robben Island, depending on the wind. Expect music, photo help, sea air, and a warm jacket-worthy ride home.
“Excellent staff on the cruise - they were very engaging and helpful. Really liked their enthusiasm. The ride itself was a tad windy and cold so bring jackets and hats. The only thing that could have been done better was to point out more landmarks as we were heading towards the sunset. otherwise lovely cruise and great staff.”
Set sail from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront aboard a 58-foot gaff-rigged schooner with distinctive red-brown sails. Over 90 minutes, you’ll pass Table Bay, Milnerton lighthouse, Granger Bay, and views of Table Mountain and the stadium. Two glasses of sparkling wine are included, with blankets available when the wind turns cool.
“Unreal vibes from the crew members and brilliant boat ride with gorgeous views. Managed too see dolphins, seals and jellyfish”
Join an English-speaking crew aboard a power catamaran from Quay 5 at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. You’ll cruise toward Green Point Lighthouse and back, with open views of Table Mountain, seals, dolphins, penguins, and occasional whales. Guides such as Charlie and Rock have helped make some departures especially engaging, while the onboard cash bar adds a relaxed touch.
“The activity was awesome. We got to see seals, dolphins, the sea was calm, the breeze was refreshing, and it was hot. The staff were very friendly and took very nice photos. Highly recommended.”
Sail from the V&A Waterfront toward Table Bay for 90 minutes on a luxury catamaran. You’ll get two glasses of local sparkling wine, wide views of Table Mountain and the Cape coast, and a lively return with music. Keep your eyes open for dolphins, whales, penguins, seals, and sunfish.
“Awesome experience and well worth it! Love that it was not full and could actually enjoy it without it being elbow to elbow. Very lovely sunset.”
Set out from Kleinbaai with Marine Dynamics Whale Tours to search the Dyer Island ecosystem for whales, seals, sharks, dolphins and penguins. A marine biologist explains each sighting, while the Great White House provides coffee, muffins, safety gear, soup and bread. Cape Town transfers and a penguin sanctuary visit are optional.
“The experience was amazing as all the big 5 were spotted and well explained by the guide.”
Join Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures at the 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 turn dark against the sunset. The crew serves two glasses of sparkling wine, with music, blankets when needed, and a chance to spot dolphins, seals, penguins, or whales.
“We loved this sunset cruise! We had fun, didn’t mind the music (it wasn’t too loud), and enjoyed the bubbles. We did have a lovely sunset and were rewarded by a whale that joined us for the cruise! Amazing to see. Thanks to the team for being great hosts.”
Spend four hours at the V&A Waterfront with a 90-minute sunset cruise aboard Esperance, Serenity One, or another available vessel, two glasses of local sparkling wine, and a 3-course dinner at City Grill or Raj. Expect changing sailing routes, lively music, cool wind, and excellent views of Table Mountain.
“One of the best activities in Cape Town! Great captain and the staff were top class. Pure good vibes and beautiful scenery….definitely take a jacket!!!!”
Set out from the V&A Harbour on a one-hour late-afternoon cruise aboard a luxury vessel. You’ll sip South African sparkling wine, watch Table Mountain and Cape Town glow in the late sun, and look for dolphins, seals, whales, or sharks. Expect friendly English-speaking crew, music, and a lively atmosphere that can feel more like a party boat than a quiet sail.
“I liked everything about it, the music, the vibe. the cabin crew was really friendly”
Take a 25-minute shared helicopter flight from the V&A Waterfront around Table Mountain, the Atlantic coast, Hout Bay, False Bay, Muizenberg, and Constantia Valley. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, and you receive a catamaran harbour-tour ticket valid for seven days. Pick-up is available within 3 km.
“Professional pilot whi balanced piloting and tour guide roles accordingly.”
Travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai, then cruise toward Hermanus and De Kelders in a speedboat limited to 25 people. Look for southern right whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, penguins, and orcas with an English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup, drinks, snacks, and a seven-hour day are included.
“The trip was absolutely incredible! It was organized with such attention to detail that every moment felt special. I was especially thrilled with our driver, Tyrone—he was even better than the guide! During our drives, he found the most stunning photo stops and captivated us with fascinating local stories. And can you believe it? We even got to see penguins waddling in their natural habitat! But the highlight of the adventure? Whale watching! After years of waiting, I finally spotted a whale! It was such an exhilarating experience!”
From Waterfront Charters at Quay 5, you’ll board a double-decker trawling boat for a 30-minute cruise around Cape Town’s working harbor. Expect views of Table Mountain, moored vessels, harbor history, and possible close looks at seals. The ride is short, easy to fit into a Waterfront visit, and conducted in English.
“easy process to book, kind staff, everything was on time, had no issues, value for money, boat was not filled to capacity which was nice, would definitely go again, it was a refreshing start to our work function”
Travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai for a marine biologist led shark cage encounter near Shark Alley. You will meet bronze whaler sharks from a secure cage, enjoy breakfast, snacks, lunch, and drinks, then visit a penguin and seabird sanctuary. Cape Town transfers are optional.
“Amazing activity. A must-do in South Africa sharks seals stingrays whales 3 different species of sharks. Giant stingrays and Antarctican species whale all seen on tour”
Board at the V&A Waterfront, directly outside the Two Oceans Aquarium, for a 30-minute harbour cruise. You’ll look for Cape fur seals on floating tyres, pass working docks and large ships, and hear clear recorded commentary in 15 languages. With regular departures, free Wi-Fi, and a price of about $6, it is an easy add-on to a waterfront visit.
“I liked the ride but the narration was lost midway through the journey.”
Pick a hull, a coast or an hour of the day.
