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Cape Town Sailing trips & boat tours

Our most recommended Cape Town Sailing trips & boat tours

Cape Town: Gansbaai Eco-Friendly Shark Cage Diving Cruise

1. Cape Town: Gansbaai Eco-Friendly Shark Cage Diving Cruise

Discover the thrill of diving with sharks in the safety of a cage with this tour from Cape Town. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and head to Dyer Island to hop in the water with sharks. Have snacks and drinks onboard and end your experience with soup access to the African penguin and seabird sanctuary. If the transfer option is selected, your adventure will start with a pickup from your hotel in Cape Town. Take a drive along a scenic route to get to your destination – the Great White House.  Once there, enjoy breakfast or lunch before a safety briefing about what to expect. Then, stroll to the harbor to board a dedicated shark-diving vessel. Journey to Dyer Island and drop anchor where the sharks reside. Your boat will have all the amenities, along with drinks and snacks for your comfort.  Collect your waterproof bag containing your dive kit and then get up close to these magnificent animals in their natural environment, protected of course by a cage. You'll be completely safe, but your adrenaline will be pumping like crazy. This is sure to be an experience you will never forget. Travel through shark alley if conditions permit before returning to land for a debriefing and a warm bowl of soup. Then, enjoy free entry to the African penguin and seabird sanctuary on your way back to Cape Town (if the option is selected).

Cape Town: Coastal Cruise & 2-Course Lunch Combo

2. Cape Town: Coastal Cruise & 2-Course Lunch Combo

Embark on a relaxed scenic 1-hour coastal cruise or a Bay sail followed by a delicious 2-course meal ashore - the ideal way to spend your lunchtime in Cape Town. Board a sturdy but luxurious twin-decked trawler-based vessel or an iconic sailing-vessel, taking you from the historic V &A Waterfront area out to sea. Cruise along the Atlantic coastline or depending on wind direction into Table Bay for spectacular views of Table Mountain from a Mariners perspective. For all the vessels, when the seas are running too high or the wind is unpleasantly strong, the destination is Cape Town Harbour for a Harbour Day Cruise instead of heading into Table Bay. After the cruise, enjoy a 2-course meal at a waterfront restaurant.

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner

3. Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner

Join a 90-minute sunset cruise from Cape Town and watch the Atlantic Ocean stretching away from the Table Mountain range as the sun goes down. Watch the sea while sipping on local sparkling wine. After the cruise, enjoy a 3-course meal at a sea-facing restaurant. The sailboats Esperance and Serenity One follow the wind for this cruise, and therefore the destination is dependent on the weather at the time of the cruise. Your captain will let you know before departure your expected direction, but typical Cape Town summer wind blows from the southeast. First, leave the harbor and sail across Table Bay towards Milnerton Lighthouse, returning to the protection of Granger Bay in the lee of Table Mountain to watch the sunset, and then motor back to the waterfront. After building an appetite at sea, you then have a short stroll through the waterfront to the restaurant where you can enjoy your meal. Enjoy local fare at the City Grill, featuring exquisite panoramic views of the harbor and Table Mountain. Possible Weather Variations:  During inclement weather, when the seas are running too high, or the wind is too strong, the tour destination will be Cape Town Harbour instead of Table Bay. You will be able to enjoy a Harbour Lights Cruise. This cruise offers a perfect alternative offering magical views of Table Mountain and the lights of Cape Town and the harbor in the evening. In extreme conditions, the skipper will take every aspect into account, and may cancel the tour to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Cape Town: Waterfront and Sunset Champagne Cruise

4. Cape Town: Waterfront and Sunset Champagne Cruise

Enjoy a unique view of the coast of Cape Town from the sea while relaxing and sipping on local sparkling wine on this sunset cruise. Admire the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean that stretches away from the majestic Table Mountain range. The sailboats Esperance and Serenity One follow the wind for this cruise, and therefore the destination is dependent on the weather at the time of the cruise. Your captain will let you know before departure your expected direction, but a typical Cape Town summer wind blows from the southeast. First, you'll leave the harbor and sail across Table Bay towards Milnerton Lighthouse, returning to the protection of the Granger Bay in the lee of Table Mountain to watch the sun set, and then motor back to the waterfront. In the winter months, with the Northwester prevalent, the direction will likely be towards the Clifton coastline or the Robben Island Coastline. This cruise will also return to Granger Bay and the Waterfront. On some occasions the weather may require the use of a motorboat, in which case the boat will cruise slowly along the Atlantic seaboard towards Clifton beach and then return. On all trips your skipper and crew will do their best, weather dependent, to give you the best view of the spectacular sunset over the sea - you won't believe the beauty of this sight until you experience it yourself! For all the vessels, when the seas are running too high or the wind is unpleasantly strong, instead of heading into Table Bay the destination is the Cape Town Harbor; a perfect alternative offering magical views of Table Mountain and the lights of Cape Town and the harbor in the evening. In extreme conditions the skipper will take every aspect into account, and even stay dockside to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

5. Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

Experience the South African sunset on board a luxury catamaran cruise and admire coastal views of the Cape as you sail for the horizon. Depart from the vibrant V&A Waterfront and sail towards Table Bay. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Table Mountain range overlooking the vast Atlantic and make your way to the horizon. As you sail, enjoy 2 complimentary glasses of sparkling wine and soak in the stunning views of the sun melting over the horizon. Keep an eye out for marine life, with dolphins, whales and penguins sighted regularly. Once the sun slips behind the horizon, enjoy a smooth cruise back to the V&A Waterfront with its lively bars and restaurants.

Cape Town: Coastal Catamaran Cruise

6. Cape Town: Coastal Catamaran Cruise

Enjoy a one-hour scenic coastal cruise aboard a luxury power catamaran. The vessel will take you from the historic V&A Waterfront area on an adventure out to sea. Throughout the cruise, you'll travel along the Atlantic coastline to the Green Point Lighthouse before then traveling back to the harbor. With spectacular mountain and city views, the cruise provides perfect ocean views over many of Cape Town’s splendors. Your one-hour cruise operates daily, with regular departures from Quay 5. With a cash bar on board for refreshments as well as great service, this is a trip not to be missed.

From Cape Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Seal Watching Tour

7. From Cape Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Seal Watching Tour

After departing from Hout Bay Harbour, the cruise will take you past 300 year old fortifications used to protect Hout Bay beach from enemy troops. Next the cruise will sail under the vertical cliffs of the iconic Sentinal Mountain with Chapmans Peak across the bay before the tour arrives at our destination, Duiker Island; More commonly known as "seal island" which is home to thousands of Cape Fur Seals and the Spectacular Kelp forests which are seen beneath the boat through our glass bottom viewing ports. After spending around 10 minutes with the seals, the tour will return to the harbour, pointing out any wildlife they may be along the way. Dolphins, whales and sunfish are often sighted. The experienced and knowledgeable crew are always on deck to answer any questions you might have.

Cape Town: Pre-Sunset Champagne Cruise

8. Cape Town: Pre-Sunset Champagne Cruise

A pre-sunset Champagne cruises is an extremely popular cruise, ideal for families with kids who find the regular sunset cruise too late. Whilst out on the water you can watch the sun sink into the horizon and enjoy the “golden hour”, which makes for stunning photos. You'll be presented with fantastic views over the entire city of Cape Town, as well as the always impressive Table Mountain. Aboard your vessel, you will be welcome to enjoy a glass of complimentary sparkling wine which will be accompanied by commentary from the crew whilst on board the boat. This cruise is the second-last of the day, and returns to the V&A Harbour prior to the final sunset Champagne cruise.

Cape Town: Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

9. Cape Town: Marine Big 5 Ocean Safari from V&A Waterfront

Escape of the hustle and bustle of the city to smell the fresh ocean air and learn about the Atlantic coastline's unique marine ecosystem. Your skippers and guide are experienced enthusiastic and love sharing knowledge and experiences of the ocean. Gaze at the beauty of the ocean as well as at the beauty of the Cape Town Atlantic Coastline. Cruise along and see the city from a different perspective. During the tour, you have the chance to see dolphins, cape fur seals, whales, penguins, sunfish, and more depending on the season. Get views of the 12 Apostle Mountain Range, Signal Hill, Lions Head, and Table Mountain as you make your past Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay, and Oudekraal. 

Cape Town: Table Bay 1-Hour Cruise on the Schooner Esperance

10. Cape Town: Table Bay 1-Hour Cruise on the Schooner Esperance

Set sail from Cape Town and take a 60-minute cruise along the coast. Enjoy views of Table Mountain and the city from the Atlantic.   Depart from the V&A Waterfront and head off along one of two weather-dependent routes. Either sail to Milnerton and back if the wind is blowing in a south-easterly direction, or cruise towards Robben Island if the wind is north-westerly. With either option, you will experience the thrill of sailing in Table Bay aboard the iconic schooner, Esperance. Treat yourself and indulge in chilled refreshments onboard. *In the unlikely event that the primary boat for this cruise is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, we reserve the right to utilize an alternative vessel for this experience. Be assured that we will always make every possible effort to ensure that the advertised vessel is available. Some Cruises do not have a dedicated boat for the cruise and rely on a pool of available vessels to cover fluctuations in weather, seasonal passenger numbers and planned maintenance.

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Frequently asked questions about Cape Town

What top attractions are a must-see in Cape Town?

What are the best day trips and excursions from Cape Town?

The best day trips and excursions from Cape Town are:

Stellenbosch

Other Sightseeing Options in Cape Town

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What people are saying about Cape Town

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 481 reviews

I went with my parents, and we had a fantastic trip. My mum didn’t dive but she enjoyed the views of the sharks from the upper deck regardless. We went in Feb, and saw bronzer sharks and there were 10, and they came so close to the cage! Staff for super helpful and friendly. You get a pre trip light bfast, Followed by a safety briefing, followed my a short 2-5 min walk to the harbour and then the trips lasts 2-2.5 hours. I got about 15 mins time in the cage, this may vary depending on group size and the level of shark encounter you get. Great boat- it has two toilets, it does get really wavy and jumpy so may be an idea to take an anti sickness tablet prior if you are prone to getting nausea. Well organised and clean wetsuits and shoes for us all, they took down our sizes at the beginning and later were given to us in our own bags when ready to dive. We will get free photos uploaded on their website, but there is a charge for 200 rand for videos/footage soup nd bread provided after

Way to busy

Too bad so many people are allowed in at the same time. You actually don't get a chance to enjoy the palace because you move along with a stream of people.

Perfect evening watching the sunset and enjoying a glass of Prosecco ! Staff were fun and attentive - highly recommend.

This experience was thoroughly enjoyed; both the cruise and the 2-course lunch at the restaurant was outstanding.

Fun and beautiful ! nice crew. We really enjoyed it.