South Africa · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in South Africa

126 tours  ·  from $5 a head

Table Bay at sunset, the Hermanus whale grounds, the St Lucia estuary and the Knysna Heads. The 15 below range from a ninety-minute harbour run to a full day offshore, priced and clear about what the swell can cancel.

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - Start at the Waterfront or Long Street
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Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise - Start at the V&A Waterfront and city center
Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Cape Town, Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Cape Town, 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

Explore Cape Town by hop-on hop-off bus, with Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Camps Bay, Constantia, free walking tours, and an optional 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!”

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Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience - Arriving at Hermanus New Harbour
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Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

3.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

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

Review of Hermanus boat-based whale watching, with practical tips on timing, wildlife, weather, value, and what to expect on Walker Bay.

“It was focussed on the whales, nothing else. Guide and team were great! I will keep this moments forever.”

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Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise - The first views across Table Bay
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Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

4.Sunset Champagne Cruise

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

Review of Cape Town’s 90-minute sunset champagne cruise, with sailing routes, wine, weather tips, boarding advice, and honest value guidance.

“Not guided to the correct pier Captain came 5 minutes late and should make the safety speech.”

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip - Leaving Walker Bay on a purpose-built catamaran
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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

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

Review of Hermanus whale and dolphin watching with Southern Right Charters, including sightings, boat comfort, price, timing, and practical tips.

“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.”

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St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel - Arriving at Siyabonga Jetty
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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

Cruise St Lucia Estuary for two hours among hippos, crocodiles, birds, and wide views aboard a comfortable 15-seat boat for $23.

“The pilot / guide was very knowledgeable and obviously passionate about wildlife and the Isimangaliso Park. Not only did he tell us about the hippos and crocs, but we stopped to look at beautiful birds and trees too”

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Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly - Boarding at the V&A Waterfront
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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

Sail Cape Town’s Table Bay at sunset on a 90-minute schooner cruise with two glasses of sparkling wine and views of Table Mountain.

“My husband and I enjoyed this so so much, our tour group wasn't to friendly but the tour guides made up for that and kept us entertained so much that my husband booked another tour for the next day🥹. Thanks Tyson for everything you really made us feel very welcome.”

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Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise - The first views of Table Mountain and the city
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Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

8.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 777 reviews · 1 hours · from $25

See Table Mountain, the Atlantic coast, and possible dolphins, seals, and penguins on this affordable one-hour Cape Town catamaran cruise.

“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.”

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Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - Humpback and southern right whales in Algoa Bay
Boat Trips in Gqeberha, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Gqeberha and Port Elizabeth Tours, Penguin Tours, Seal and Dolphin Trips, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

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

Review of Port Elizabeth’s small-group Algoa Bay cruise for whales, dolphins and African penguins, with practical tips, seasons and value.

“Very professional and extremely knowledgeable Would recommend this tour to everyone Handled the boat very well considering the choppy conditions”

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Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco - Table Bay views from a luxury catamaran
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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

Review of Cape Town’s 90-minute luxury sunset catamaran cruise, with Table Mountain views, two Proseccos, wildlife sightings, and practical tips.

“Wonderful evening cruise sunset 🌅 came out behind the clouds just in time. Crew were just great and made us feel very welcome. Would definitely recommend this tour.”

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Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food - Getting through the reserve and finding the jetty
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Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour - A two-hour boat search around Dyer Island
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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

13.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 593 reviews · 2.5 - 10 hours · from $155

Review of Gansbaai’s Marine Big 5 boat tour, with whales, seals, sharks, dolphins and penguins, plus practical tips on timing, value and sea conditions.

“Quality of pickup bus and driver was amazing, Cameron was amazing. Soup and bread at the end and coffee at the beginning was really good. Highly caring staff onboard: they ask you for blankets if cold, they get you towels when wet, they offer ginger candies for your cold, and show you every marine view correctly. They make sure you are safe. Amazing services. I am sooooo impressed.”

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Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles - Choosing your seat on the 39-foot catamaran
Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner - Sailing Table Bay at sunset
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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

Review of Cape Town’s sunset champagne cruise with a 3-course dinner, sailing tips, restaurant choices, weather plans, and value advice.

“The staff was amazing and the whole experience is great. Love that they bring on blankets for those that might feel cold, if only they could get more.”

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