15 Cruises & Boat Tours in South Africa Worth the Drive

Cape Town: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise - Start at the Waterfront or Long Street

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,929 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $23Our pick

Explore Cape Town by open-top bus, with Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Kirstenbosch, Constantia, Wi-Fi, audio guides, and an optional cruise.

“visited Kirstenbosch and Victoria and Alfred waterfront. then just viewed the sights on the bus. locations are well advertised and spread across cape town. easy to use, great value, good commentary and flexible. you can make it as much or as little as you want”

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Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,793 reviews · from $20

See Cape Town at your own pace by bus, with Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, coastal stops, Constantia wine estates, and an optional cruise.

“Every time I visit a new city I use the hop on hop off bus. Its a great way to explore a city on your first visit and pick out places you want to visit again or avoid.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Hermanus Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Hermanus

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

3.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,180 reviews · 1h 30m · from $93

See whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds from Hermanus on a guided 90-minute boat trip with wide ocean views and expert crew.

“We had an amazing whale watching experience! 🐋 Before departure there was a clear briefing about which whales we might see, so we felt prepared and excited. The group was limited to only 40 people, and there were different types of boats to choose from, which made everything feel well organized. During the trip, huge whales appeared right next to us and even around us — truly breathtaking! We were lucky to spot a mother and baby whale breaching in the distance. The guide told us it’s a rare sight, which made it even more special. Overall, we are super happy and grateful for such a memorable adventure.”

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Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

4.Sunset Champagne Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,083 reviews · 1h 30m · from $46

Review of Cape Town’s 90-minute sunset champagne cruise, with sailing routes, wine, views, weather tips, meeting point, and honest value advice.

“Strongly recommend this on a beautiful sunny day - they say two drinks but you definitely get more and the views are beautiful. Also line up early to get a good seat”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Hermanus Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Trips in Hermanus

Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $98

Review of Hermanus whale and dolphin cruise, with practical tips on sightings, seasickness, value, safety, and what to expect aboard.

“Best Whale watching in the world. We saw lots of Southern Right Whales in Hermanus' Walker Bay. You will even see them from the Coast. Beautiful place and professional company with good Crew a Guide.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, St Lucia Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 807 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Cruise Lake St Lucia for close hippo views, Nile crocodiles, birdlife, expert guides, and wide estuary scenery on a small 15-seat boat.

“everything was good. from the guide and her knowlidge of the animals was excelent. keep the good record”

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Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, V and A Waterfront Tours

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

7.Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 777 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Sail Cape Town’s Table Bay at sunset on a 58-foot schooner with two glasses of sparkling wine, mountain views, and chances to spot seals.

“The crew made effort with each passanger and made sure that everyone was happy and comfortable. A lifetime unforgettable experience.”

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1-Hour Experiences, Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Cape Town: Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

8.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 777 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Review of Cape Town’s one-hour catamaran cruise, with Table Mountain views, marine life, practical tips, price advice, and booking guidance.

“What an amazing experience with a fantastic crew! Had lots of fun, got very wet!, saw seals, penguins and a Sun fish. Loved every second, thank you.”

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Boat Trips in Port Elizabeth, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Penguin Tours, Port Elizabeth Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185Top rated

Review of Port Elizabeth’s small-group whale, dolphin, and penguin cruise, with wildlife seasons, price, conservation, logistics, and booking advice.

“We were in a small group on the boat and were lucky enough to see a pod of 200 dolphins, penguins hunting for fish and some seals sunbathing. The team really care about the wildlife and spent time explaining to us the different animal behaviRead more”

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Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, VIP

Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

10.1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 668 reviews · 1h 30m · from $57

Watch the Cape Town sunset from a luxury catamaran with two glasses of Prosecco, Table Mountain views, music, and possible whale sightings.

“Amazing experience, the crew were outstanding and made the excursion so special.”

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Boat Trips in Durban, Cruises & Boat Tours, Durban Tours, Tour Reviews

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

11.30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 665 reviews · 30 min · from $7

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.”

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2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Food, Food & Drink, Pretoria Tours, Tour Reviews

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

12.Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 621 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Review of Hartbeespoort’s 2-hour dam cruise, with South African food, music, mountain views, practical tips, costs, and honest drawbacks.

“The ride and hospitality was great but the food was a bit cold”

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Boat Trips in Cape Town, Cape Town Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Safari Tours, Safaris in Cape Town, Tour Reviews, Tours

Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

13.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 593 reviews · 2.5 - 10 hours · from $155

Review of Gansbaai’s Marine Big 5 boat tour, with whales, sharks, seals, dolphins, penguins, conservation, costs, and practical tips.

“Their focus in conservation and education is very obvious. Everyone from reception, to check in and briefing, to the crew afterwards was amazing. They truly went out of their way to ensure everyone’s experience was pleasurable.”

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