Top Cape Town Water Tours

Join our exclusive Robben Island tour for a guaranteed, personalized, and historically rich experience, featuring a storytelling ferry ride and rare insights from a former political prisoner.

See Cape Town’s landmarks from a new vantage point and learn more about aquatic life with this exciting boat tour. Enjoy the company of a professional guide and skipper who can teach you lesser-known facts about the local environment and the incredible creatures that live in the ocean. If you’re lucky, you may even spot dolphins during the trip.

Cruise along Cape Town's Atlantic coastline and get great views of the city and Table Mountain with this express cruise tour. You will head out from the V&A Waterfront, making your way up to the Green Point lighthouse before turning around and heading back, all in around just one hour.

Families with small children can still enjoy an evening sail on this pre-sunset cruise in Cape Town. Watch the sun sink lower in the sky and enjoy the “golden hour”, which makes for beautiful photos, on this pre-sunset cruise. You’ll get back to shore in plenty of time for dinner reservations or the kids’ bedtime. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and commentary from the crew while on board the boat.

This cruise is a great choice for travelers who want a quick sightseeing and wildlife tour that leaves them the rest of the day for other activities. Enjoy a whistle-stop cruise that boasts wonderful views of the V&A waterfront. Not only is it a great introduction to the city, but it’s also a chance to spot seals and bird life too.

With this half-day package, getting to Robben Island and back is straightforward. Pickup from your Cape Town accommodation is included, along with admission to the Robben Island Museum. Learn about the life of Nelson Mandela, see his former prison cell, and explore the island’s history—without needing to research logistics—before returning to your accommodation at the end of the trip.

Our tour offers extra conveniences you'll truly enjoy Step onto Robben Island, the place that shaped Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s journey to freedom. This unforgettable tour takes you across the ocean, deep into the heart of South Africa’s most powerful story — where struggle, courage, and hope come alive. Your journey begins at the iconic V&A Waterfront, where we personally assist you with check-in and ferry boarding. Once on Robben Island, an expert island guide leads you on a riveting bus tour around the island’s major historical sites, including the Lime Quarry where Mandela and other political prisoners worked, the Leper Colony ruins, the old WWII fortifications, and sweeping viewpoints overlooking the ocean and the Cape Town skyline. The emotional heart of the tour unfolds inside the Maximum-Security Prison, where a former political prisoner shares their personal story — giving you rare, firsthand insight into the hardships and resilience experienced during apartheid.

This Atlantic Outlook kayak tour is perfect for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. Enjoy a carefree day gliding across the Atlantic Ocean with a guide to lead the way so you don’t get lost. You won’t have to worry about bringing kit with you, as kayaking equipment and safety gear hire are included. Along the way, access views of Table Mountain, Lions Head, and the Atlantic Sea Board coastline.

Catch the sunset over Cape Town from the deck of a sailboat on this evening cruise. Sit back and relax with a provided glass of sparkling wine while watching the sun sink over the city landscape. You’ll get frame-worthy photos of the city and Table Mountain in sunset hues; captain and crew are on hand to answer any questions and provide commentary.

Don’t worry about figuring out logistics for getting to Robben Island and back—with this tour, it’s easy. Start with pickup from your preferred Cape Town pickup point, then take a shared boat to Robben Island. Once there, there’s no need for maps or planning as a guided tour is included, with stops at the island’s key attractions—including Nelson Mandela’s former prison cell.

Beginning at the V&A Waterfront, this sea kayaking adventure is a beginner-friendly way of seeing Cape Town’s beautiful scenery, without being stuck in traffic. Led by a guide, you can peacefully paddle through the sea on a route that showcases views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Signal Hill—and if you’re lucky, you might spot local wildlife too, such as dolphins and seals.

On this ocean safari, enjoy an eco-friendly way to explore Cape Town’s coastline on a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). Much quicker than a traditional sightseeing cruise, enjoy the thrill of a fast ride to begin with, then slow down to look for local marine life such as African penguins, dolphins, seals, sharks, and sunfish.

The Cape Town Robben Island Museum half-day tour offers an unforgettable journey into South Africa's history and heritage. Travellers will begin their 4-hour experience with a scenic ferry ride across Table Bay, enjoying stunning views of Cape Town’s iconic skyline and the breathtaking Table Mountain. Once on Robben Island, participants will explore the museum, which is housed in the former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years. A guided tour will provide insights into the harsh realities of political imprisonment and the struggle against apartheid, as well as the island's role in shaping South Africa's history. Visitors can expect to learn about the resilience of the human spirit through compelling stories and exhibits. Time will also be spent taking in the island’s natural beauty, including its diverse wildlife and historical landmarks, creating a deeply enriching experience that highlights both the somber and resilient aspects of the nation’s past.

This is an exceptionally good tour that combines two of the best there is on offer in Cape Town. It combines history, nature and sightseeing. The experience of the ferry trip and the rotating cable car to the top of Table Mountain is totally thrilling. You will visit the biggest attractions in Cape Town at the same time. You learn the history of South Africa and the natural wonders it has. The views from the top of Table Mountain are simply jaw dropping. Take in the amazing views of the city of Cape Town and the blue flag beaches. The critters on the mountain top and the flora and fauna is quite unique. The rock formation is out of this world combined with the stretch of the 12 Apostles peaks connected to Table Mountain. Table Mountain is the only one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in a city so it is a unique attraction.

A Cape Town sunset is beautiful, but seeing the sun dip from a luxury catamaran with incredible coastal views is even better. Take photos of the city and mountain from the water, and watch out for local marine life such as dolphins or whales during your cruise. This is your time to take a break and relax.

Spend time watching one of the world’s most feared fish on this thrilling diving experience. Learn about various shark species from your marine biologist guide, and then dive into the water in a cage to observe sharks in their natural habitat. It's an ideal choice for aquatic animal lovers. Breakfast, snacks, and hotel pick-up and drop-off are included for a truly seamless experience.

This half-day tour offers an efficient way to experience the key highlights of Robben Island. Meet a former political prisoner and explore the island with first-hand insight that you’d miss if visiting independently. With a prebooked time slot on your chosen date, entry to the Robben Island Museum is guaranteed so you can focus on the experience rather than waiting in long ticket lines.

Get up close with the ocean’s apex predators on a signature Cape Town experience: shark cage diving. With a maximum of 12 guests per boat and four divers per cage, this is one of South Africa’s most intimate shark cage experiences. Possible species of sharks include the bronze whaler shark, the seven-gill shark, and blue and mako sharks in False Bay or Cape Point. All trips are confirmed weather dependent and are not shark species-dependent. There is scuba available upon request although breath-hold has proven to be the best method.

A visit to Robben Island is a must to learn about South Africa’s history, and this tour offers a convenient and effective way to get there. Included hotel pickup and drop-off from Cape Town, entry to Robben Island, and a guided tour let you learn about the Island's role as a former prison and hear stories about Nelson Mandela’s 18 years of captivity.

Visiting Robben Island and Table Mountain on the same tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Robben Island: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds deep historical significance as the prison where Nelson Mandela and others were kept. A visit here offers a moving insight into South Africa’s struggle for freedom. One of the New7Wonders of Nature, Table Mountain symbolizes the beauty and resilience of Cape Town. From its summit, you can reflect on the country's past while enjoying panoramic views of the city, Robben Island, and beyond. Contrasting Experiences in One Day The tour shifts from the solemn and thought-provoking history of South Africa ,This contrast makes the tour emotionally powerful and visually stunning, giving visitors a well-rounded experience of the country s heritage and landscapes. this tour combines education, inspiration, and adventure, allowing visitors to leave with a deeper understanding of Cape Town’s past and present

One of the best times of day to see Cape Town from the water is during sunset and this perfectly timed boat trip offers spectacular views and a great party atmosphere. After setting off from the V&A Waterfront, you can enjoy included alcoholic and soft drinks. Soak up the views, enjoy a glass of sparkling wine, and capture great sunset views at the same time.

Discover Hermanus' famed whale watching with this private ocean tour, venturing to areas known for whale sightings. Enjoy hotel pickup and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle included in the package. Customize your adventure with optional add-ons such as lunch or a visit to the penguin colony in Betty’s Bay, tailoring the tour to your preferences.

Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Africa. It is a place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The island offers visitors guided tours through the prison, black township, and colonial buildings. Secure your shared boat trip and museum tour tickets and skip the ticketing line by booking this tour and receiving return transfers between your hotel and the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island. Embark on a unique opportunity to take the Long March to Freedom in the historical footsteps of former President of South Africa – Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners as well as leaders who fought for today’s South Africa.