Highlights of the Harbour Cruis Cape Town
- Best way to explore the V&A Waterfront harbour, the oldest working harbour in South Africa!
- View the SAS Somerset boom defence vessel, the Bascule Bridge and other intriguing attractions of the harbour
- Fun and family-friendly cruise
Description
Departing from the jetty outside the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, the Waterfront City Sightseeing Harbour Cruise puts Cape Town’s bustling harbour in the spotlight. Expect to see key attractions including icons of maritime history as well as epic views of the city’s natural landscape. Highlights include the SAS Somerset, the only remaining boom defence vessel in the world, and the southern hemisphere’s largest synchro-lift and only drawbridge, the Bascule Bridge. The cruise also includes views of Table Mountain, the Nelson Mandela Gateway, Chavonnes Battery Museum and the well-known Clock Tower. Of course, experiencing the bustling waterways of Cape Town from a boat is a highlight itself, and this cruise offers a perspective of the city that no other tour can offer.
History
Built-in 1941, the SAS Somerset was previously known as Ship No 280. It originally sailed to South Africa to provide services at the vibrant fishing area of Saldanha Bay. Today, the SAS Somerset remains harboured at the V&A Waterfront as a museum ship for public viewing. Also at the V&A is the Bascule Bridge, a pedestrian swing bridge that crosses the water to the Clock Tower. Before it was built, dockworkers and sailors used the Penny Ferry – a small rowing boat that crossed this section of water. The historic Clock Tower, built-in 1882, was the original Port Captain’s Office and has been maintained to resemble its original design.
Day | Open | Close |
---|---|---|
Monday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Tuesday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Wednesday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Thursday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Friday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Saturday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
Tour departure and return times vary depending on tour types.
Canal Cruises offer hop-on hop-off access from marked pick-up and drop-off points.
Phone: +27 (0)86 173 3287
Website: www.citysightseeing.co.za
City Sightseeing Cape Town
Advice for visitors
The cruise departs every 20-minutes and lasts for about 30-minutes. While there’s no hopping off available, the tour is so packed with useful and historic info you’ll want to stay for the whole ride. Once you have completed the cruise, hop on the red bus tour that picks up outside the V&A Waterfront City Sightseeing office to see more of the city’s best attractions.
Did you know
The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s oldest working harbour. The area encompasses 123 hectares and attracts more than 23 million visitors a year.
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Waterfront Charters Sunset Champagne Cruise
Cape Point Explorer Tour
Groot Constantia Wine Tasting and Tour
Two Oceans Aquarium
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Marine Dynamics Shark Cage Diving
Great White Shark Tours
Drumbeat Charters Seal Colony Cruise
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience
Mojo Market R100 Bar Voucher
Urban Oasis Eatery & Bar
Fish & Chips in Hout Bay
Enjoy a Free Burger & Chips in Camps Bay (sit down only)
Acrobranch Constantia
Acrobranch Stellenbosch
Ocean Experiences
Helicopter & Ocean Combo
Flying Dutchman Funicular
Zeitz MOCAA Museum
Mama Africa Restaurant
Circe Launches Seal Island Cruise
Cape Town Helicopters’ Twelve Apostles Scenic Helicopter Flight
Beerhouse on Long
PlayDate SuperPark
Gold Restaurant – African Dining Experience
Stellenbosch Vineyards
Aquila Game Reserve and Spa Afternoon Safari
Vredenheim Winery & Big Cat Sanctuary
Cobra Experience
Free Tasting at Woodstock Gin Company
Franschhoek Wine Tram Explorer Tour
World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park
City Sightseeing Bo Kaap Walking Tour
Spier Wine Farm
Shimansky Rockwell Diamond Experience
Iziko South African National Gallery
Bo-Kaap Museum
Iziko South African Museum
Norval Foundation
Iziko Slave Lodge
Franschhoek Adventures Historical Village Walk
City Sightseeing LaGuGu Township Tour
The Franschhoek Cellar
Tour and Tasting at Pienaar and Son
Cape Town Diamond Museum
The Diamond Gallery
Cape Wheel
Avontuur Estate Farm and Wine Experience
Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures
SUP Cape Town (Stand Up Paddle Boarding)
City Cruiser Bicycle Rental
Dyer Island Cruises Whale Watching
Castle of Good Hope
Alpaca Loom Barn Tour & Coffee Shop
Rush Trampoline Park
Simonsig Wine Estate
Franschhoek Winelands Luxury Cycle Tour
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Cape Peninsula Pedal
Stellenbosch Half Day Winelands Cycle Tour
Stellenbosch Vineyard Meander
Stellenbosch Adventure Ride
City Sightseeing Historic City Walk
City Sightseeing Imizamo Yethu Township Tour
Eagle Encounters
Waterfront Charters Harbour Cruise
South African Jewish Museum
City Sightseeing Harbour Cruise
City Sightseeing Canal Cruise
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Waterfront Charters Harbour & Bay Cruise
Cape Side Cars Chauffeured City Tour
Cape Town Holocaust Centre
District Six Museum
TOKARA Wine and Olive Farm
Scratch Patch
Lovane Boutique Wine Estate and Guesthouse
Cave Golf
Honest Chocolate
Tanzanite International
Diamonds 27
Sport Helicopters Huey City Hopper Flight
Cape Explorer: Wine Tour & Tasting Full-Day Excursion
City Grill Steakhouse
Wharfside Grill at Mariner’s Wharf
Moyo Restaurant, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Cape Town Tandem Paragliding
Two Oceans Aquarium Diving and Penguin Encounter