Cape Town’s iconic waterfront is preparing to welcome a bigger share of the global superyacht market, with new developments at the V&A Waterfront strengthening the city’s position as a luxury gateway to Southern Africa.
From high-end hospitality to upgraded marina facilities, the investment signals a broader ambition: to make Cape Town more than a stopover for wealthy international travellers and turn it into a starting point for exploring Africa’s spectacular coastlines.
The vision was outlined by V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood at the African Boating Conference in Cape Town, where industry leaders discussed the region’s growing potential as a superyacht destination.
Among the developments supporting that ambition are the new EDITION hotel, plans for superyacht facilities at Quay 7 and longer-term proposals to transform the surrounding waterfront into a vibrant coastal neighbourhood.
Cape Town has a natural advantage when it comes to luxury yacht tourism. Few destinations combine a working harbour, dramatic mountain scenery, established tourism infrastructure and easy access to restaurants, hotels and cultural attractions in one location.
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At the V&A Waterfront, visiting yacht owners and guests can step ashore and find themselves surrounded by some of the city’s best-known hospitality and entertainment offerings, with Table Mountain providing a striking backdrop.
The planned Quay 7 facilities and the addition of the EDITION hotel are expected to strengthen that appeal, supporting a destination where marine services and luxury experiences sit alongside one another.
For the city, the opportunity extends beyond attracting impressive vessels to its harbour. It is about encouraging visitors to spend locally, creating business opportunities and supporting jobs across the tourism and marine sectors.
Research from BOATPro presented at the conference points to a growing market.
Southern Africa welcomed 36 visiting superyachts measuring more than 24 metres in 2025, up from 14 in 2019.
The vessels visiting the region are also considerably larger than the global average. The average length of superyachts visiting Southern Africa in 2025 was 60 metres, compared with a worldwide average of approximately 34 metres.
The V&A Waterfront Marina already ranks among the region’s five leading marinas for visiting superyachts, giving Cape Town a foundation on which to build.
The potential financial benefits are significant. According to estimates presented in the source material, a superyacht valued at US$50 million could generate between US$105,000 and US$330,000 in local spending during a two-week stay.
That money can flow into a wide range of businesses, from marine engineering and yacht provisioning to accommodation, restaurants, transport and specialist services.
With the V&A Waterfront attracting approximately 25 million visits annually across its 123-hectare precinct, the existing tourism hub offers an established platform for expanding this high-value market.
Cape Town’s ambitions also extend beyond its own harbour.
As the African Superyacht Working Group transitions into Superyacht Africa, the industry is working towards a more coordinated international offering for the region.
The vision is to connect Southern Africa’s coastline with Indian Ocean destinations, including Mauritius and Seychelles, creating more opportunities for international yacht owners to explore the continent.
Rather than trying to replicate established cruising destinations in the Mediterranean or Caribbean, the region can offer something different: dramatic coastlines, wildlife experiences, adventure tourism and luxury hospitality.
For Cape Town, becoming a gateway to these routes could help attract visitors who stay longer, spend more and explore destinations beyond the city.
The Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town have also expressed support for growing the marine economy.
At the conference, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos highlighted the importance of attracting investment, improving the ease of doing business and addressing regulatory barriers affecting the industry.
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Picture: Supplied
