Feel the fresh ocean breeze while cruising on the high seas, with the magnificent Atlantic ocean as your backdrop.
The V&A Waterfront is the perfect place to book a boat trip. Spectacular cruise options can be found along the Quay Five at the harbour and a quick trip out to sea is the perfect addition to any day. On most fair-weathered days you will find a row of stalls offering all different types of cruises.
Whether you are just looking for a casual, educational cruise around the harbour, a romantic sunset cruise on a luxury yacht, or an adventurous experience out at sea, the Waterfront has a cruise just for you.
Here are ten of our favourite V&A Waterfront boat cruises:
Jolly Roger Pirate Boat
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Fancy a pirate themed boat trip?
This intricately-crafted replica of a pirate ship is one way to enjoy yarrr-self on the high seas. The Jolly Roger is the only pirate boat in South Africa and offers young and old this particular type of swashbuckling adventure-filled experience. This ship is particularly popular as a party boat for themed year-end functions, bachelor and bachelorette parties and for families with young children.
There’s also a cash bar on the boat, so you should be more than able to quench your pirate-like thirst.
Contact: 021 421 0909
Address: Shop number 8, Ground Level, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront, Breakwater Blvd, Cape Town.
Cost: Morning, Lunchtime and Afternoon: R190 for adults, R95 for children (0-12 years), R50 for school kids. Sunset: R320 for adults, R160 for children.
Duration: 60-90 minutes
Harbour Cruise
For the educational cruise seekers, the scenic guided Harbour cruise on Dawn provides a brief yet informative introduction to Cape Town and the working harbour in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The well-informed guides will share their knowledge and history of the Cape as well as the latest harbour gossip!
Dawn is a 44 seater harbour cruise boat offering half hour cruises as well as one hour cruises around the Old Harbour and International Docks. Dawn is ideal for private functions and may be chartered privately for children’s parties, bachelor parties or tour groups.
Contact: 021 418 3234
Address: Shop number 7, Ground Level, Quay 5, V&A Waterfront, Breakwater Blvd, Cape Town.
Cost: 60 minutes – adults R120 and children R60. 30 minutes – adults R60 and children R30.
Duration: 60-90 minutes
The Alba
If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience on the high seas, the Alba is sure to float your boat. This exclusive fine dining floating restaurant is the first of its kind in Cape Town.
The Alba, a 72-seater, operates in the harbour exclusively and provides top quality service and cuisine. It is designed to offer a smooth-sailing environment with minimal rocking, so you can enjoy every bite while on the water.
The Alba is 22 metres in length with a 6-metre beam. Offering daily tours and unforgettable dishes, this experience is designed to delight the senses.
They offer a range of dining options:
Contact: 065 975 8060
Address: Pierhead, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Cost: R495-R695
Duration: 2 hours
Tigger 2 Charters
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Sail into the sunset in luxury.
If you are looking for a V&A Waterfront boat cruise then the 55 foot luxury Power Catamaran, the Tigger 2 Royale is known for offering an exclusive cruise experience with its private charters. Tigger 2 Charters offers a Lunch and Dinner Cruise priced between R600 and R1 280 and a Private Romantic Lunch or Dinner Cruise for R15 000 for special occasions.
However, the sunset cruise is by far the most popular choice with the Tigger 2 Royale.
Upon boarding, you will be welcomed with cocktails before commencing your cruise to Clifton 4th Beach or, depending on the weather and the day, past Robben Island to Blouberg in Table Bay.
On board, you can fully appreciate the scenic view while sipping drinks from the cash bar.
Address: Pier head, T Jetty, Close to the Red Clock Tower.
Contact: 021 418 0241 or for urgent enquiries or last minute booking/availability please call Tigger 2 Charters on 082 852 4383.
Cost: R400 for a sunset cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Spirit of Victoria
If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy experience, the Spirit of Victoria is a beautiful traditionally-designed 58ft Gaff Rigged Schooner, easily identifiable in the bay by her vintage brick-red sails.
Built to seat 45 passengers, this elegant boat offers regular sailing trips to Table Bayn and is one of the best V&A Waterfront boat cruises around.
The bar on board offers sparkling wine, beer and cold drinks.
Spirit of Victoria offers an authentic, laid-back sailing experience to remember.
Contact: 021 418 3234
Address: Shop 7 Quay 5 V&A Waterfront Cape Town Western Cape.
Cost: R320 for adults and R160 for kids
Duration: Around 1 hour and 30 minutes
Speedboat Eco Adventure
For the adventure-seekers, the Speedboat Eco Adventure is a 60-minute fun and fast ride aboard a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) along the coastline to see various marine life.
Different from your normal V&A Waterfront boat cruises, watch for whales, African penguins, Cape fur seals, dolphins, basking sharks, sunfish, and many species of birdlife. Adrenaline plus an eco-tour makes this a real Ocean Safari.
Within an hour on the water, riders can reach Clifton Beach and beyond. Routing depends on the experienced skipper who uses his local knowledge and takes weather and sea conditions into account. The boat is not constantly moving at high speed, sometimes going along more slowly and even stopping at times to allow passengers to take in the sights.
Address: Shop 5, Quay 5, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Contact: 021 418 3168
Cost: R756-R840
Duration: 60 minutes.
The Enigma
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An experience not to be missed is watching the sun set from the deck of a luxury catamaran off the stunning Cape coastline. In fact, you’ll want to do it again and again when you can charter a daily boat trip & private tour at the V&A Waterfront. Part of the Waterfront Charters, this beautiful catamaran is the perfect V&A Waterfront cruise boat.
Address: V&A Waterfront Pierhead (opposite the clock tower)
Contact: 021 418 3168
Cost: R585.00
Duration: 60 – 90 minutes
The Mirage Catamaran
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Get a glimpse of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town! For a totally new perspective of the city, take a boat cruise on node of the best V&A Waterfront boat cruises to see the true attractions of the city: the ocean and the skyline. See the wondrous mountains as the golden light creates a silhouette as you glide through the serene ocean.
Address: V&A Waterfront Pierhead (opposite the clock tower)
Contact:071 428 1126
Cost: R250 but get 40% off when you click here
Duration: 60 minutes.
Waterfront Charters
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With Waterfront Charters, you can enjoy 60-minute a cruise at the V&A Waterfront to Table View on a luxurious catamaran or a classic sailing schooner. It’s the ultimate Cape Town activity for seeing Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean from a different perspective.
You’ll be able to have a leisurely boat ride while being carefully supervised by a professional and experienced skipper. Remember to keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, penguins, and sunfish as you take in the splendour of the ocean and distant Table Mountain.
Address: V&A Waterfront Pierhead (opposite the clock tower)
Contact: 021 418 3168
Cost: R540 but get 50% off when you click here
Duration: 60 minutes.
Visit the Seal Island on the Calypso
Embark on a thrilling, 45-minute, Seal Island cruise around the Hout Bay Harbour with Circe Launches!
Hout Bay is well known as the starting point for picturesque day cruises to Seal Island or Duiker Island, which are both home to vast colonies of Cape Fur Seals.
A boat trip to Seal Island, also known as Duiker Island, which is home to the Cape fur seal and bird sanctuary, is a fantastic outdoor adventure for families. Your children will enjoy the chance to interact with these engaging, inquisitive animals up close. Families always have a great time on any adventure that incorporates water, and this cruise is no exception!
Address: Hout Bay Harbour, Hout Bay, 872, Western Cape, South Africa, 7806
Contact: 082 552 2904
Cost: R300 but get 50% off when you click here
Duration: 45 minutes
Pictures: TiggerToo, Waterfront Charters, The Alba, Yacoob Yachts
