A major new marina development is on the way for Cape Town, with the V&A Waterfront unveiling plans for a R230 million superyacht facility designed to cater to some of the world’s most exclusive vessels.
The Quay 7 Superyacht Marina will rise within one of the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest working harbours, positioned in front of the Cape Town Edition hotel and offering sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, the City Bowl and Table Mountain, with completion targeted for October 2026, as reported by Business Tech.
While often compared to a ‘parking bay’ for luxury boats, the project is being positioned as far more than just a docking point, providing secure mooring, maintenance access and full-service support for vessels when they are not at sea.
The investment follows a steady rise in superyacht traffic to Cape Town over the past decade, with 35 vessels recorded during the 2024/25 season alone, many of which remain in the city for extended periods ranging from several months to a year.
Designed to host yachts between 40 and 90 metres, the marina will feature six stern-to berths and two beam-on berths supported by floating jetties, allowing it to accommodate large vessels during peak travel periods.
Outside of peak season, the facility will pivot to support Cape Town’s boat-building sector, serving as a base for commissioning and exporting locally built vessels, adding another layer to its purpose.
According to V&A Waterfront executive Andre Blaine, the development is intended to function as key economic infrastructure, creating demand across multiple sectors including fuel supply, provisioning, marine engineering, crew training and logistics.
The city’s established boat-building names, Robertson and Caine, Two Oceans Marine and Balance Catamarans, are expected to benefit from the additional capacity and improved servicing capabilities.
The marina will form part of a broader precinct that includes the Cape Town Edition hotel, the revamped Intercontinental Table Bay and the East Pier Helistop, tying luxury hospitality and marine services together.
Beyond construction, the facility is expected to generate ongoing employment while boosting demand for refuelling, maintenance, provisioning and hospitality services, supported by a concierge office dedicated to visiting crews.
Superyachts are seen as a high-value tourism segment, with each visit generating significant economic activity through large-scale fuel purchases, provisioning and specialised repair work carried out by local contractors.
The project will also aim for Gold Anchor accreditation, a globally recognised marina standard, while incorporating environmental management measures in line with the V&A Waterfront’s sustainability goals.
With more than 30 000 vessels already passing the Cape each year, the new marina is being viewed as a formal step in securing Cape Town’s place on the global maritime map.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Gallo Images
