The 15 Best Boat Trips & Cruises in South Africa

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - Getting started: V&A Waterfront and Downtown Long Street

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

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off buses with free audio and Wi-Fi, plus an optional harbour cruise, for easy views from Table Mountain to Camps Bay.

“Brilliant way to get around and see things. Audio system is very informative. We extended our ticket to 2 days as so much to see. We did all 3 loops, the Groot Constantia vineyard is excellent and you are taken right to it. You get to see so much from the top deck and it is a cheap and efficient way to get around such a beautiful place.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Tours in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Cape Town, Cruises & Boat 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

Cape Town hop-on hop-off buses with free walking tours, 15-language audio, Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, wine country, and an optional harbor cruise.

“Plan adequate time for all Activities. Traffic in CT can be a nightmare and the buses are no exception!! Staff are very knowledgeable on waiting times for table top. Mountain Also the weather. Could not go first day too windy. Plan this and traffic into your stay. Wait at tabletop was 90 mins which in the heat is not pleasant. Fast pass was a blessing!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cruises & Boat Tours, Hermanus & Whale Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Hermanus & the Whale Coast

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

3.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

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

90-minute Hermanus whale watching boat trip in Walker Bay, with top-deck views, dolphins and seals, plus coffee on arrival.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Tours in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, 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

90-minute Cape Town sunset champagne cruise on the Atlantic with two glasses of local sparkling wine, weather-dependent sailing, great views.

“The subset was amazing also the subset was amazing and plenty of room on the boat to sit down and had about 4 glasses of bubbly”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Hermanus & Whale Coast Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Hermanus & the Whale Coast

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

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

Two-hour Hermanus whale-watching catamaran with a whale specialist guide, close dolphin action, and onboard refreshments near South Africa’s coast

“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

Boat Tours in Durban & KwaZulu-Natal, Cruises & Boat Tours, Durban & KwaZulu-Natal Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

A 2-hour hippo and crocodile cruise on Lake St Lucia with a small 15-seat boat, estuary birding, and close wildlife viewing near iSimangaliso.

“Amazing !!! We got to see hippos against a beautiful African Sunset. Even saw a mummy and baby hippo on the banks of the river . It was an amazing experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Tours 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

90 minutes of true sailing from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront with sparkling wine, Table Mountain views, and a real shot at dolphins and seals.

“The crew made effort with each passanger and made sure that everyone was happy and comfortable. A lifetime unforgettable experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours in Cape Town, 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

One-hour catamaran cruise from V&A Waterfront to Green Point Lighthouse, with Table Mountain views and a chance to spot dolphins, seals, and penguins.

“Lovely little trip out, we went during the quieter month of August, and happened to be the only two on board. The staff still made such a fantastic effort to make sure we enjoyed it, sharing information along the way, taking pictures for us and serving us drinks. All of them made it such a lovely experience I would thoroughly recommend no matter what the time of year.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Tours in Port Elizabeth & Addo, Boulders Beach & Penguin Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Port Elizabeth & Addo Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

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

Slow, small-group cruise from Port Elizabeth to see humpback whales, dolphins, and endangered African penguins at St. Croix Island.

“Jake and his crew shared their expert knowledge of local marine wildlife and went out of their way to make our voyage a memorable one. The highlight of the trip was spotting a mother and baby humpback whale and sailing with the dolphins. Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Tours 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

Luxury catamaran cruise from V&A Waterfront for 90 minutes of sunset views, Prosecco, and chances to spot dolphins, whales, and penguins.

“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

Boat Tours in Durban & KwaZulu-Natal, Cruises & Boat Tours, Durban & KwaZulu-Natal Tours, Tour Reviews

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

11.30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

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

A quick, narrated boat cruise in Durban Harbor, watching giant ships maneuver, birds soar, and the skyline glide by for $7.

“I was 2min late but they phoned to check how far I was and I came running with my family the ladies at the counter called out to the guide they are here wow they were able to stop the boat which was about to move and we went in.The guides were good with taking us pictures and playing good music too.Loved everything about the cruise”

Check availability →Read our full review

2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Food, 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

2-hour Hartbeespoort Dam cruise with Magaliesberg views, South African finger foods, music, and cash bar drinks.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

Big 5 Safaris, Big 5 Safaris in Cape Town, Boat Tours in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat 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

Gansbaai Marine Big 5 boat tour from Kleinbaai to spot whales, sharks, seals, dolphins and penguins, with a biologist and penguin rehab.

“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

Boat Tours 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

90-minute Table Bay sunset catamaran with Table Mountain views, two bubbly glasses, and a chance at dolphins and seals.

“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