Last Updated on August 20, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
A boat cruise from the Waterfront is a lovely way to take in views of Cape Town’s beautiful Atlantic Coast. After 3 years of living in Cape Town, this is one of the most relaxing ways to sightsee that I’ve ever come across.
I mean, what’s better than relaxing and maybe enjoying a drink or two while you soak in the views and spot marine life?
I recently did this 1-hour boat cruise from the Waterfront, so I wanted to share my full review to help you decide whether or not it’s worth it while you’re in Cape Town. I’ll go into the pros, cons, and what to expect!
About the Waterfront boat cruise
Price: R300
Duration: 1 hour
Departure time: 11 am, 1 pm, or 3 pm
Leaves from: V&A Waterfront
I wanted to do a Waterfront boat cruise primarily to enjoy views of the city’s gorgeous, mountainous landscape from out on the water. I thought it would be a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon, and so I went ahead and booked it for myself!
I chose this particular cruise because it was reasonably priced and had over 100 5-star reviews, so it seemed like a good choice.
I ended up having a really good time! I was lucky enough to spot a seal playing with a fish (although I’m sure that the fish didn’t feel quite so fortunate), as well as a sunfish and a dolphin.
I didn’t manage to snap a photo of the dolphin as it was pretty brief, but it was very exciting!
There was a fun atmosphere on the boat and the crew were really cool. It’s suitable for both families and groups of friends, but I went on my own and still had fun.
You can grab your spot on the Waterfront cruise here!
What’s included?
The cruise that I did cost R300 , which is the price for the cruise only. Drinks cost extra, and there’s a bar on board where they sell reasonably priced drinks. In fact, they even had some specials, such as two gin and tonics for R60.
I’ll admit I was slightly hungover when I did the cruise so I played it safe with a Diet Coke, which cost R25. These are pretty standard prices for Cape Town!
What will I see on a Waterfront boat cruise?
The views of Table Mountain are awesome from the outset and it didn’t take long for Lion’s Head to come into view.
I went on a clear day, so I could see out all the way to Robben Island, as well as Green Point and Sea Point.
Best of all, I saw a fair amount of marine life, too! I spotted a sun fish floating on its side, as well as seals and dolphins. The captain even turned off the engine and drove the boat closer to the animals so that we could all get a closer look.
Do you get wet on a Waterfront boat cruise?
Only if you sit in the splash zone!
The people who chose to sit at the front of the boat were warned and were able to keep their valuables inside so that they didn’t get damaged. However, I chose to sit on the top floor and I stayed completely dry.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes! There were quite a few families with young kids on board when I went and they all seemed to be having a fantastic time.
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes, but not very far. You just need to make a reservation online, but not weeks in advance or anything like that.
I went during the first week of January, which is peak season in Cape Town, and was able to book my ticket just a few days in advance.
Is this the best boat cruise in Cape Town?
It’s not my personal favourite, no.
I did enjoy it, but I preferred the sunset champagne cruise that I did. It lasted for longer, the sunset was epic, I got complimentary bubbles, and there was a party atmosphere on board. You can read my full review of the sunset cruise here!
However, I think that a daytime boat cruise is definitely a better choice for families because the sunset one is a bit more boozy.
You can grab your spot on the Waterfront boat cruise here!
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