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Cape Town offers a spectacular variety of scenic boat trips, from romantic champagne sunset cruises to exciting kayaking in the Table Mountain Marine Reserve or multi-day adventures to explore the Cape of Good Hope and beyond.
Whether you’re exploring iconic landmarks like Robben Island or cruising the scenic coastline, there’s a boating experience for every traveller.
Here are five of the best boat trips in Cape Town and some essential tips to make the most of your experience. Let’s dive in.
Sunset Champagne Cruises on the Waterfront
If you want something quick and easy but still scenic and romantic, multiple tour operators offer sunset cruises complete with champagne and gorgeous views. For those on a tight budget, they often offer pre-sunset cruises at a cheaper price. Or, for a more luxurious experience, try the 3-hour sunset tour with champagne and a 3-course dinner while watching the sunset for a romantic boating experience.
To keep your devices powered up while taking all those scenic sunset photos, bring a portable power source like the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max with you. It offers 256Wh capacity in a compact unit that fits inside a backpack. It has South Africa-compatible AC plugs, DC, USB, and USB-C to keep all your devices going.
Robben Island
Robben Island is a very popular tourist destination. Not only is there the beautiful scenery of Table Mountain and gorgeous beaches, but this island hosts a museum with important South African history.
It was here that Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27-year jail sentence for his anti-apartheid activism before he was released and became the first president of South Africa. If you don’t have a boat, plenty of tour operators offer group or private tours of varying lengths. The tours are popular and fill up quickly, so book early to secure your seat!
The EcoFlow GLACIER Portable Refrigerator is essential on a day-long or overnight boat trip. It lasts up to 40 hours wirelessly on a charge and has a separate fridge and freezer compartment to keep your food at food-safe temperatures. It even has a built-in icemaker, so you can make ice-cold refreshing drinks no matter where you are!
Harbour and Canal Cruises
If you are just looking for a quick cruise through the Cape Town Harbour or the canal, take a harbour or canal cruise! There are plenty of boat tours that last only 30 – 60 minutes. Some allow you to hop on and off at any location along the harbour you wish, a perfect way to use it as a water taxi to quickly get in and out of the central business district while enjoying the scenery.
Enjoy the beautiful harbour sites from the water while you listen to your tour guides tell you fun and exciting stories about the area and its history.
Cape of Good Hope and Beyond
If you want a multi-day adventure, take your boat down to Cape of Good Hope, the most southwestern point on the African continent, and spend some time in the calmer waters of False Bay. Then, head further south to Walker Bay, check out the coastline and visit the lagoons in the bay. Make a three-day adventure of it.
No boat? No worries! You can still take a 3-day boat tour to the Cape of Good Hope. While they may not bring you down the coast as far, they will take you to all the popular tourist destinations like Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Boulders Penguins, and even some luxury wine-tasting tours in the area.
Whatever your multi-day adventure, bring an EcoFlow RIVER Solar Generator. These are popular generators for houseboats for a reason. They come in various capacities with portable solar panels to help you stay powered up, running lights, and even power small kitchen appliances!
If you are worried about running out of power, bring the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator (PV220W). This powerful yet compact and highly portable model has a 220W super-efficient solar panel, the best boat solar panel. It collects light from both sides for industry-best conversion efficiencies!
If you are going overnight, prepare just like you would for a camping trip, bringing all your essential devices, clothes, and gear for men and women. Also, bring your EcoFlow WAVE 2 Portable AC to keep you comfortable any time of year.
Use the AC setting to help beat the summer heat, and then use the heater setting for winter cruises or cool spring or fall nights to stay comfortable all year. It’s compact and portable, requires no installation, and can be used inside the cabin or out on deck.
Kayaking in Table Mountain Marine Reserve
If you want a scenic boat tour with some exercise, take a kayak through the gorgeous Table Mountain Marine Reserve. You will enjoy spectacular views of Table Mountain while you get to enjoy seeing the marine life in the reserve up close.
Bring your kayak and launch it from the beach. If you don’t have a kayak, plenty of tour operators will rent boats by the hour or offer guided tours if you have never kayaked before and want a guide to show you the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, boat trips in Cape Town are perfectly safe. Plenty of tour operators have been operating there safely for many years with great reviews. Tourist crimes are low in the area, but to be safe, travel in groups when getting off the boats at night. Also, bring a hat and sunscreen!
Final Thoughts
Cape Town’s stunning waterways and coastline offer unforgettable experiences; from quick sunset cruises to multi-day adventures, there is something for everyone. Whether exploring historic Robben Island or going on a multi-day adventure to the Cape of Good Hope and beyond, you’ll need reliable gear like the EcoFlow River 2 Pro Portable Power Station for uninterrupted power on your journey.
Now, pack your essentials and set sail for an unforgettable adventure.