SOUTH AFRICA · BOAT TRIPS IN DURBAN
The good boat trips in Durban fill up a season ahead, and school holidays here run over Christmas. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.
Review of Durban’s 30-minute harbor cruise, with giant ships, tugboats, skyline views, birds, guides, pricing, tips, and family advice.
“The cruise was nice. The gentleman was able to explain and give us valuable information about the harbour. Mr Zulu if I’m not mistaken was proper.”
See Durban from the Indian Ocean on a one-hour Wilson’s Wharf cruise with harbor views, music, friendly guides, and great value.
“The service received was beyond our expectations. Keep up good service. The infrastructure you can tell it's ageing need new look, but above all we had a great time.”
Review of Durban’s 30-minute luxury canal cruise, with skyline views, local history, friendly guides, practical tips, and honest value advice.
“The boat captain Samuel was a tour guide and gave background history on the buildings as well as the harbour.”
Cruise Durban Harbor by pontoon boat, see giant ships, enjoy music, coastal views, and finish at Wilson's Wharf.
“It was fun and scary at the same time We didn't have life jackets.”
Review of Durban’s $8.91 luxury canal cruise, with family-friendly sightseeing, fish spotting, guide stories, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.
“I loved that the guys were willing to take pics of us at nice views But the cruise was very short and there's nothing much to see”
Review the Durban whale and dolphin boat tour, with seasonal whale sightings, guide quality, boat details, price, and practical tips.
“Great, seeing whales up close in their natural environment is a unique experience. Keep your eye on the weather though, a windless day with small swells will give you a better chance of viewing them.”
Review the Durban Gondola Night Cruise, with canal lights, romantic views, pricing, timing, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.
“It was an incredible experience. The environment and driver friendly definitely coming again with my kids next time”
Combine a St Lucia hippo cruise with a Hluhluwe-Imfolozi safari on this long, wildlife-packed day trip from Durban.
“We were picked up and returned to the ship by an easy to spot zebra colored van. The pleasant guide, Vuzi was from the area and knowledgeable. We saw rhinos, hippos, birds, zebras, impalas. We were told in advance that the animals do not always cooperate and show their faces. I was happy to see this alluring country and some of it's beautiful creatures. My sister thought the St. Lucia Boat ride was boring, but I enjoyed the leisurely trip down the river.”
Review the Durban Point Gondola canal ride, with practical tips on timing, value, scenery, private bookings, duration, and cancellation.
“A different experience, well worth the visit and trip . Friendly and informative staff , clean and tidy”
Review of Durban’s one-hour luxury pontoon cruise, with harbour views, boats, port activity, practical tips, value, and honest drawbacks.
“Dancing in the middle of the sea , , at first it was scary , but when the boat is moving re just realise that nothing bad will happen , so started dancing ,and singing , sometimes you feel the vibration of waves , the fresh air and the sound of waves makes you relax”
Relax on a 40-minute private gondola ride through Durban’s Point Waterfront Canal with a picnic of local snacks and chocolates.
“Everything was memorable. The tour guides? Absolutely amazing. Love how friendly, patient and welcoming ther were.”
Review of the St Lucia boat safari from Durban, with hippos, crocodiles, birdlife, UNESCO wetlands, transport tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.
“Private tour for my wife and I. Driver Visit was great, Gave us a lot of local color. Animals were not very cooperative for viewing on river boat. As a result, driver on his own took us to other viewing areas which were great”
Pedal through Durban’s protected Point Waterfront canals for 30 minutes of easy family fun, scenic views, fish spotting, and excellent value.
“Your are left to paddle at your own pace . My daughter was in control , it was quite an experience for her . The host was easy to engage too”
Review of the full-day iSimangaliso tour from Durban, with a game drive, St Lucia boat cruise, wildlife tips, timing, price, and booking advice.
“This is a beautiful tour Full Day Isimangaliso Wetlands & Boat Cruise Tour from Durban. The boat cruise was so nice as we went on the St Lucia Estuary. We saw a lot of hippos and some crocodiles. Our guide was able to give us a lot of information. Absolutely nice tour.”
Cape sea days, bush mornings, tasting rooms and the long road east.
