Last Updated on July 26, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
Looking for a fun boat trip in Cape Town?
There are plenty of them here, and they don’t have to be expensive, either! I’ve done everything from sunset champagne cruises to shark cage diving, so now I’m going to break down the best boat trips. Whatever your interests and budget, setting sail in Cape Town should be a breeze!
So grab your lifejacket, and let’s get into it.
Sightseeing Boat Trips in Cape Town
Sightseeing boat trips in Cape Town usually last from 30 to 90 minutes. They’re not generally super expensive, and some can even be romantic!
Most sightseeing boat trips leave from the V&A Waterfront, which is nice and convenient.
1. 90-Minute Sunset Champagne Cruise
I loved watching the sunset from this catamaran champagne cruise. It was so much fun and we got a bottle of bubbles to share between two people.
Okay, so it wasn’t the best bubbly, but we still had a blast! There was music on the boat, the views were epic, and we managed to get a seat on the nets at the front of the boat. You can read my in-depth review of the experience here!
The cruise costs R580, which I honestly think is really good value for money for such a great experience. It lasts for 1.5 hours, and I think it’s the perfect way to spend an evening in Cape Town.
Click here to book your sunset champagne cruise, with free cancellation!
2. 1-Hour Catamaran Cruise
I had a really good time on this hour long Catamaran cruise. It departs from the Waterfront and sails along the Atlantic coast to the Green Point lighthouse.
I loved the views, and saw some cool marine life, too. I spotted a seal playing with its food and a sun fish, and even caught a brief glimpse of a dolphin!
The catamaran was comfy and I liked sitting on the upper deck. There was a bar on board, and prices were super reasonable. I think I paid about R25 for a Diet Coke, and beers started at R35.
The cruise costs R340, so it’s pretty budget-friendly. I thought it was an awesome way to do a bit of sightseeing.
The crew were also really fun and friendly, and there was a splash zone at the front of the boat for those who didn’t mind getting wet.
Click here to book this boat trip, with free cancellation!
3. Harbour Boat Cruise
This 30-minute boat cruise is the perfect option for those who are on a tight schedule and/or budget!
I mean, for R140 you really can’t go wrong!
We went cruising around the Waterfront area and enjoyed great views of the harbour and Table Mountain! And of course, we saw seals galore!
A free soft drink is included with this cruise, and there were beers available for purchase on board. Boats depart once an hour between 11:30 am and 4:30 pm. It’s short and sweet, and a great budget activity.
Click here to book your spot on this harbour cruise, with free cancellation!
4. Pre-sunset Champagne Cruise
This pre-sunset champagne cruise is a cheaper alternative to the sunset cruise I talked about above!
It costs R360 per person, so it’s ideal if you’re on a budget, but you still get a bottle of bubbles to share. Plus, who doesn’t love snapping photos in Golden Hour lighting?
I haven’t done this exact cruise myself, but I had such a fantastic time on the sunset version of the tour. So since this cruise offers the same boat, the same crew, and the same views, I’m very confident in recommending it to those on a budget.
The tour lasts for about 1.5 hours and ends back at the Waterfront, just in time for dinner at one of the area’s affordable restaurants!
Click here to book your boat trip!
Wildlife Boat Trips in Cape Town
5. Shark Cage Diving
I always thought that shark cage diving would be too scary for me, but with the encouragement of some friends, I ended up going! Honestly, it wasn’t anywhere near as scary as I had imagined.
The cage stays attached to the boat the entire time and I actually felt very safe – although I did squeal a little when a shark chomped the cage at the end! You can read my full review of the experience here, but I will say that I DON’T recommend that you use the same tour company I went with.
They were a bit unorganised, which caused lots of delays, and the boat was a bit cramped. The boat ride only lasted an hour, and we got 20 minutes to dive, which wasn’t long enough after spending hours on the road to get to the diving spot.
However, I booked the cheapest tour possible. I would recommend spending a little more on this shark cage diving trip. You get two hours out at sea, and you have breakfast and lunch at an actual restaurant.
There’s also a marine biologist on board who’ll tell you more about these incredible creatures, which we didn’t have on our trip.
I also like that this tour has a shark sighting guarantee, so if you don’t see any then you’ll get a repeat experience free of charge.
This boat trip costs R3,655 in total which is pretty reasonable given all of the inclusions, and has over 400 5-star reviews.
Click here to book your experience!
6. Marine Big 5 Safari
South Africa’s Marine Big 5 comprises whales, seals, penguins, sharks, and dolphins – and you can see them all on this marine safari boat trip!
Again, this tour picks you up from central Cape Town and you’ll head to Gansbaai, which is shark-central.
When you arrive, you’ll visit the Great White House restaurant and enjoy hot drinks and muffins while you listen to a safety and conservation briefing.
Then, you’ll head out, spotting lots of dolphins and seals as you go. You’re also likely to spot bronze whaler in the famous Shark Alley spot. Sadly, the Great Whites here were all massacred by orcas.
If you go between June and December, you’re also likely to spot whales! And you’ll get to visit the African Penguins at a Seabird Sanctuary. (Yes, the same ones that live at Boulders Beach!)
The entire experience takes about 10 hours in total and costs R2,700, which includes two meals. I think it’s a fantastic way to appreciate South Africa’s exciting and diverse marine life!
Click here to book this boat trip now
7. Seal Snorkelling
Getting up close and personal with adorable Cape Fur Seals is a real bucket list experience if you ask me, and you can do it on this amazing seal snorkelling tour!
I had SUCH an amazing time, even though I lost my GoPro SD card so I don’t have any photos.
You can read my full review here, but basically, it was incredible!
Our guide, Clemen, was so lovely. He taught me so much about seal behaviour and he also had a sixth sense for where they were!
I was honestly delighted to see so many seals. Apparently, it was a quiet day on that front, but we saw more than I could count!
Best of all, this tour is really eco-friendly and doesn’t disturb the seals at all. You’re not allowed to touch them, feed them, or interfere in any way. We were just there as passive observers.
After an hour of snorkelling, we went back to shore and warmed up with hot chocolate and cookies on the way back. It was the perfect end to an awesome morning.
This seal snorkelling cruise costs R950 per person, and it only runs during the summer.
You can click here to find out more and book!
8. Ocean Wildlife Encounter
I think that this 2-hour boat trip is a nice mix of a sightseeing and a wildlife cruise.
The route is chosen on the day according to the weather conditions and wildlife sightings, but you depart from near the Waterfront so you’ll have excellent views of Table Mountain and Robben Island as you set sail.
The skipper will teach you all about the fascinating marine life that inhabits Cape Town’s waters and take you to see penguins, seals, whales, and dolphins – although of course what you see varies from day to day.
What I really like about this cruise is that there’s a maximum of seven people per group, so it’s a close-knit and personal experience. There are plenty of opportunities to ask questions about Cape Town’s marine life and things don’t feel too crowded and touristy.
This boat trip costs R1,250 (£53/$67) and runs from late August to May. Hotel pickup isn’t included but the meeting point is at the Waterfront, so it’s super easy to get to.
Click here to book your Ocean Wildlife Encounter now, with free cancellation!
FAQs About Cape Town Boat Trips
What if my cruise is cancelled due to bad weather?
You’ll either get a refund or be able to reschedule your boat trip for another day. When I tried to do a harbour cruise it was cancelled due to strong winds and I got a cash refund on the spot – it was super easy!
Are boat trips in Cape Town safe?
Yes, they’re very safe. The cruises don’t go out when the sea gets too rough, and the boats are tightly regulated. You’re just as safe on a boat trip here as you would be in Europe or the US!
Are Cape Town boat trips wheelchair friendly?
Some of them are, but not all.
The 30-minute harbour cruise, shark cage diving tour, and marine big 5 safari are all wheelchair accessible.
Are Cape Town boat trips suitable for kids?
Mostly, yes.
The shark cage diving tour requires children to be at least 8 years old, and is probably too scary for some kids.
Meanwhile, the seal snorkelling tour welcomes infants on laps, but kids need to be at least 10 years old to snorkel.
However, children of all ages are welcome on most of the other boats and can often travel for a reduced rate.
I would say that the catamaran cruise, harbour boat cruise, and ocean wildlife encounter are probably the most family friendly boat trips in Cape Town! They’re not too long and you just stay on the boat rather than interacting with wildlife.
Should I book my boat trip in advance?
Yes, boat trips in Cape Town are really popular so I definitely recommend booking them in advance, especially during the summer time.
I had friends come out to visit in January and we wanted to do the Marine Big 5 Safari, but it was all booked out! If you’re going to be in Cape Town between December and February, I would strongly recommend booking your spot at least a few weeks in advance.
During the winter, you can probably get away with booking nearer to the date itself. You can book just a few days in advance, especially with the sightseeing cruises as there are multiple departures per day. The city is much quieter at this time so there’s no need to stress.
Thanks so much for reading this blog post! There are so many fun boat trips on offer in Cape Town, so I hope this helped you come to a decision about which one(s) to enjoy. And for more adventures in the Mother City, be sure to check out the following: