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.
City Sightseeing Cape Town hop-on hop-off bus with multilingual audio and Wi‑Fi, plus optional V&A Waterfront harbor cruise.
“Was a great way to see everything around Cape Town area without the pressure of being on a timeline.”
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.
“The red and blue lines of the HOHO bus travel around Cape Town, providing a unique perspective of the city. The two-day premium price is quite reasonable and includes a riverboat ride.”
90 minutes in Hermanus, Western Cape: whale watching from the top deck when weather allows, plus dolphins, seals, coffee, and expert guidance.
“Great experience. Would recommend Whale Watchers. Not good for those that suffer sea sickness though. Saw two whales & hundreds of dolphins”
90-minute Cape Town sunset champagne cruise from the Waterfront with Atlantic views, Table Mountain angles, and 2 glasses of sparkling wine.
“The subset was amazing also the subset was amazing and plenty of room on the boat to sit down and had about 4 glasses of bubbly”
Cruise Lake St Lucia on a small 15-seat boat for close hippo viewing, possible crocodile sightings, and great birding in iSimangaliso Wetlands.
“A wonderful experience that we did twice, three days apart. Each time, we were able to enjoy very close encounters with the three hippo groups, plus some nice little nature bonuses: a fish eagle and a swimming iguana the first time, and a group of crocodiles gathered around a carcass the second time. The boat…”
Hermanus whale and dolphin cruise from the Whale Shack catamaran. Specialist guide, light refreshments, and up-close sightings near Walker Bay.
“Exceptional tour with many whale sightings. The sunrise tour is magical. Very knowledgeable and professional staff.”
A 1-hour Cape Town catamaran cruise from V&A Waterfront to Green Point Lighthouse with Table Mountain views and chances to spot marine life.
“It was very enjoyable just that the guide was not friendly or welcoming he was just dull. Either than that the cruise was amazing.”
Cape Town sunset cruise from V&A Waterfront on a red-sailed schooner, 2 sparkling wine flutes included, plus Table Mountain views.
“The trip was amazing and the guides was very friendly....I highly recommend if you want to end the day with a lovely sunset good music and a glass a bubbly..”
Whale, dolphin, and penguin cruise from Port Elizabeth to Algoa Bay and St. Croix Island, with conservation-focused guides.
“Great tour. It was a really rainy day but the crew made it an enjoyable experience. We saw lots of dolphins as well as penguins. Highly recommend this tour for all.”
90-minute luxury catamaran sunset cruise from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront with 2 Prosecco glasses, wildlife spotting, and Table Mountain views.
“We had the most awesome time. The sun set was amazing, crew brilliant. Really worth the experience.”
