Cruises & Boat Tours

SOUTH AFRICA

10 Best Cruises & Boat Tours In South Africa

South Africa's standouts.

A shortlist of the 10 cruises & boat tours most worth booking in South Africa, with what each one is like on the day, who runs it, and what it costs.

10 Best Cruises & Boat Tours In South Africa

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - The Red, Blue, and Purple routes: what to expect in real time

1.Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

Most Popular★ 4.8

City Sightseeing Cape Town hop-on hop-off bus with multilingual audio and Wi‑Fi, plus optional V&A Waterfront harbor cruise.

“Brilliant way to get around and see things. Audio system is very informative. We extended our ticket to 2 days as so much to see. We did all 3 loops, the Groot Constantia vineyard is excellent and you are taken right to it. You get to see so much from the top deck and it…”

3,929 reviews1 - 2 daysFrom $23by City Sightseeing South Africa

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Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise

Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise - Downtown Kickoff: Aquarium, V&A Waterfront, Museums, and Long Street

2.Cape Town Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Optional Cruise

★ 4.5

Hop-on hop-off buses in Cape Town for 1–2 days, with Table Mountain access, wine/ gardens options, free walks, and an optional harbor cruise.

“My wife and I took the hop-on hop-off bus tour in Cape Town over the past two days, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! The tour was well-organized, with a variety of routes that allowed us to see the city's top attractions at our own pace. The buses were clean, comfortable, and punctual, making…”

1,793 reviewsFrom $20.22by City Sightseeing South Africa

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Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience - Out on Walker Bay: how whale watching typically unfolds

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise - From Waterfront Check-In to Getting On Board

4.Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

★ 4.6

90-minute Cape Town sunset champagne cruise from the Waterfront with Atlantic views, Table Mountain angles, and 2 glasses of sparkling wine.

“Was a nice sunset cruise. A couple dolphins and a great time. Enjoyed the ride back even more because the music was great”

1,083 reviews1.5 hoursFrom $46by Waterfront Charters

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip - What You’re Wearing Matters More Than You Think (Boat Comfort Basics)

5.Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★ 4.6

Hermanus whale and dolphin cruise from the Whale Shack catamaran. Specialist guide, light refreshments, and up-close sightings near Walker Bay.

“Very well organised. They offered us coffee, tea, and cupcakes before the tour. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a whale, but since it was the last day of the season, that was understandable. Still, we had an amazing time with around 300 dolphins and even saw some seals. I would definitely do it again, just in…”

807 reviews2 hoursFrom $98by Southern Right Charters

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St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel - Boarding at Siyabonga Jetty: How to plan your 2-hour cruise

Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly

Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly - The route you’ll follow: Table Bay, Milnerton lighthouse, and Granger Bay

7.Cape Town: Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly

★ 4.6

Cape Town sunset cruise from V&A Waterfront on a red-sailed schooner, 2 sparkling wine flutes included, plus Table Mountain views.

“We had a fantastic time, the crew were full of energy, so helpful and accommodating, they kept the drinks flowing and the views were spectacular! Would definitely recommend.”

777 reviews1.5 hoursFrom $38by Wild Horizons Waterfront Adventures

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Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise - Getting Oriented at V&A Waterfront: Quay 5, Shop 5

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise - The water hunt in Algoa Bay: whales and dolphins when timing matters

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★ 5.0

Whale, dolphin, and penguin cruise from Port Elizabeth to Algoa Bay and St. Croix Island, with conservation-focused guides.

“Jake and his crew shared their expert knowledge of local marine wildlife and went out of their way to make our voyage a memorable one. The highlight of the trip was spotting a mother and baby humpback whale and sailing with the dolphins. Read more”

687 reviewsFrom $185.19by Raggy Charters

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Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco - Prosecco, the onboard vibe, and why the included drinks matter

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