The 15 Sailing Trips in South Africa That Repay the Fare

1.Scenic 1-Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise

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

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.1 Hour Coastal Catamaran Cruise from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 258 reviews · from $21

Take a 1-hour coastal catamaran cruise from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to the Green Point lighthouse, with Atlantic views and possible dolphins.

“Great outing on the catamaran. Beautiful views of the city, stadium and mountain. We saw dolphins up close.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Cape Town Waterfront and Bay: Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 190 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

1-hour sailing from the V&A Waterfront in Table Bay, routes shift with wind, with chances to see seals and dolphins.

“Everyone that travels to Cape Town or visit the V&A should experience it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.1- Hour Catamaran Cruise Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · from $18Best value

1-hour catamaran cruise from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to Clifton, with Table Mountain, Robben Island, and Table Bay views for $18.98.

“This was a terrible experience. Firstly, we were told at the last minute just before boarding that we would be on a simple double-decker boat and not a catamaran. We booked a catamaran tour because it sits slightly more calmly on the water. Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise with Light Dinner and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 2h 30m · from $124

Sail Knysna Heads at sunset on a 50-foot mono hull yacht for up to 12, with Cap Classique, snacks, and flexible ocean time.

“A great trip, the staff made us feel very welcome. Easton and Nigel took good care of us! Lovely snacks and bubbly made the experience even better.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Sailing in The Bay by Catamaran (One Hour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · from $21

One hour sailing from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront with captain commentary, Table Mountain views, and refreshments. Route depends on wind.

“Outstanding experience for me. A pod of dolphins swam with our catamaran for around 10 minutes and I will never forget this.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Catamaran Sunset Champagne Cruise Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · from $37

Catamaran sunset champagne cruise from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront with a sparkling wine toast, Atlantic views of Table Mountain and Robben Island.

“No catamaran available so a replacement was offered. It was ok but not quite the same experience.. no safety talk, no greeting, not champagne but ok fizz! However, the sunset was spectacular and everything aside I would absolutely recommend you see it. Tip: take a blanket or layer up.. it can get chilly…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Catamaran Champagne Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · from $37

Sail the Atlantic on a new Cape Town catamaran at sunset with complimentary champagne and Table Mountain views.

“Perfekte 90 Minuten. Leute waren cool. Crew war super aufmerksam. Locker und lustig.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise, Light Dinner & Bubbly

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $104

Knysna Sunset Sailing cruise with sparkling wine, Mediterranean platter, and possible wildlife sightings. Sail the lagoon and Knysna Heads at golden hour.

“A lovely evening, we met and checked in 30 mins early as requested, we left on time, sailed to the "Heads" and the Captain decided it was safe to sail from the Lagoon into the Indian Ocean, running parallel to the Coast, returning to the Lagoon for wine and snacks, the experience was well worth taking part in.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Table Bay Cruise by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 32 reviews · 1 hour · from $19

1-hour Table Bay cruise by 39-ft catamaran in Cape Town. Table Mountain views, sea-life spotting, friendly English crew, cash bar.

“I had a bunch of fun, there was just a issue with the times and the booking but star camera people”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Knysna Sunset Sailing Cruise with captain’s steak Braai & Bubbly

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · from $97

Sail Knysna Lagoon at sunset on a spacious catamaran, pass the Knysna Heads, then enjoy captain’s steak braai with bubbly onboard.

“Awesome sunset trip around the lagoon and out the Knysna heads. Staff were super friendly and attentive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.1 Hour Table Bay Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · 1 hour · from $21

1 hour sailing from V&A Waterfront across Table Bay on Spirit of Victoria. Bar onboard, Table Mountain views, relaxed pacing.

“Even though it was my friend and I they still took us on a tour. It was amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Luxury Catamaran Marine Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 16 reviews · 2 hours · from $84

Cruise the Knysna Heads on a luxury catamaran from Thesen Island, with bubbly, snacks, and a real shot at seals and dolphins.

“Excellent cruise and fabulous crew which made for an exceptional and memorable experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Catamaran Cruise and Sushi Experience in Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $38

Relax on a Cape Town catamaran from the V&A Waterfront, then enjoy a 14-piece sushi meal with harbor views near Table Mountain.

“Booked this in a rush and didn’t realise how much extra we would have to spend. We didn’t even have the sushi because the wait time was an hour by the time we got off the boat and we didn’t have time”

Check availability →Read our full review