The 15 Best Cruises & Boat Tours in South Africa

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

/ August 12, 2026

1.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

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

Hop-on hop-off buses with free audio guide and Wi-Fi, plus optional V&A Waterfront cruise. Cover Table Mountain, Camps Bay, Constantia.

“Hop on Hop off tours anywhere in the world are a great way to be introduced to a new city. The timing was just right - red line at 1 1/2 hours. In fact, i enjoyed the tour so much I went again in the afternoon with my wife. Just a tip though, if you are sitting in the open area, do bring an extra layer and possibly a hat. the temperature may be 16C but there is a wind chill that makes it feel like 10C!”

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

/ August 12, 2026

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

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

Cape Town hop-on hop-off bus with optional harbor cruise. Flexible 1- or 2-day pass, Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, wine route value.

“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 in Hermanus

Hermanus: Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

/ August 10, 2026

3.Boat Based Whale Watching Experience

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

Boat whale watching from Hermanus New Harbour, 90 minutes on the water. Expect close sightings, dolphins, seals, and great crew guidance.

“Amazing ! Ran on time the guide was informative . We saw soooooo many dolphins it was like something out of a dream . We also saw all three possible whale types. Looking at the other boats in the harbor -we felt this company had the nicest boats”

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Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise

/ August 12, 2026

4.Sunset Champagne Cruise

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

90-minute Cape Town sunset cruise with Atlantic views, two sparkling wine glasses, and a weather-smart route from sailboats.

“We had the best time! Staff were attentive and hospitable. Guests were well looked after. Views were spectacular.”

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Hermanus: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

/ August 10, 2026

5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Trip

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

Hermanus whale and dolphin cruise with a specialist guide, light refreshments, and possible close encounters off the coast and Walker Bay.

“The best experience ever - could have not been any better! A must do - perfect!”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, St Lucia Tours, Tour Reviews

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

/ August 10, 2026

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

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

A 2-hour 15-seat hippo and crocodile cruise on Lake St Lucia, guided in English, with bird-spotting views from Siyabonga Jetty.

“We absolutely loved it!!! Ended up adding 2 more family to join us & they were equally impressed. Thank you. Our guide was very knowledgeable in all things hippo & the surrounding fauna & flora. A++”

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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

/ August 10, 2026

7.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

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

1-hour catamaran cruise from V&A Waterfront to Green Point Lighthouse for Atlantic views, Table Mountain skyline, and marine-life spotting.

“Lovely little trip out, we went during the quieter month of August, and happened to be the only two on board. The staff still made such a fantastic effort to make sure we enjoyed it, sharing information along the way, taking pictures for us and serving us drinks. All of them made it such a lovely experience I would thoroughly recommend no matter what the time of year.”

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

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

/ August 10, 2026

8.Sunset Cruise from V&A Waterfront with Bubbly

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

90-minute Cape Town sunset cruise on a 58-ft gaff rigged schooner, sailing past Table Bay with 2 glasses of sparkling wine included.

“One of the best experiences, my son had an awesome 21st birthday. Will be doing it again, definitely.”

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Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

/ August 10, 2026

9.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

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

A slow, small-group marine wildlife cruise from Port Elizabeth to St. Croix Island for whales, dolphins, and African penguins in Algoa Bay.

“Fantastisk at se pingvinerne og opleve delfinerne som vi sejlede med i lang tid. Alle på båden var meget deltagende og bidrog med mange interessante fortællinger om både pingvinerne og delfinerne.”

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Cape Town: 1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

/ August 13, 2026

10.1.5-Hour Luxury Sunset Cruise with Prosecco

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

90-minute luxury catamaran sunset cruise from V&A Waterfront with Prosecco, Table Bay views, and chances to spot whales and dolphins.

“It was a fantastic experience. The staff was friendly and the view was all the hype. If in Cape Town one should surely do the sunset cruise. The champagne added to the fun”

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

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

/ August 10, 2026

11.30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

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

Durban’s 30-minute harbor boat cruise for $7 gives you a narrated look at ships, tugs, docks, and the skyline from the water.

“It was eonderful,especially the toue guide made it great playing music nd sharing information about the harbor Nd various catgo ships”

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

Hartbeespoort: 2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

/ August 14, 2026

12.2-Hour Dam Cruise with South African Food

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

2-hour Hartbeespoort Dam cruise with South African food, music, and Magaliesberg mountain views, plus Beach Cafe access.

“Excellent activity. Zero hassles from the booking all the way to accessing the cruise. User Friendly app for tracking the booking. Great value for money.”

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Gansbaai: Marine Big 5 Boat tour

/ August 14, 2026

13.Marine Big 5 Boat tour

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

Marine Big 5 boat tour from Gansbaai, with an onboard biologist, warm soup after, and an optional African penguin rehab stop.

“It was good enough, but could be better to spend less time for the launch and more - for the sea trip.”

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Cape Town: Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles

/ August 14, 2026

14.Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Table Bay with Bubbles

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 591 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40

A 90-minute sunset catamaran cruise in Cape Town’s Table Bay with two sparkling wine drinks, Table Mountain views, and marine life spotting.

“Good music and great vibes. Guide was funny and knowledgeable.”

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Cape Town: Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner

/ August 14, 2026

15.Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 528 reviews · 4 hours · from $78

Cape Town sunset champagne cruise plus 3-course dinner at City Grill or Raj, with 90-minute harbor views from V&A Waterfront.

“Excellent fun. Great cruise with plenty of dancing and drinking. Staff are friendly and professional. The meal afterwards was great too, with high quality food in a lovely restaurant.”

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