Add dates

DurbanCruises & boat tours

Our most recommended Durban Cruises & boat tours

Durban: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

1. Durban: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

Indulge in a leisurely journey aboard one of our boats, including a catamaran, for an unforgettable cruising experience. This activity has gained immense popularity among locals in Durban who seek a taste of the high life. It is a public cruise. As you embark on your adventure, soothing music will accompany you from the back of the boat, creating a pleasant ambiance. Our knowledgeable crew members are readily available to provide detailed explanations about the harbor if approached. Many passengers take pleasure in dancing onboard, adding to the lively atmosphere. Immerse yourself in a tour of Durban, joining us as we explore the city from a unique vantage point on the Indian Ocean. Along the way, keep an eye out for pods of dolphins, enhancing your journey with their playful presence. As we navigate through the port, you'll pass by colossal container and cruise ships, offering a glimpse into the bustling maritime activities. Admire the picturesque beachfront from a fresh perspective on the water and discover Wilson's Wharf, a delightful hidden gem that houses an array of restaurants and entertainment options. To ensure your comfort, our boats are equipped with a semi-covered section, shielding you from the sun while allowing you to enjoy the scenic views. Please note that in unforeseen circumstances where the main boat for this cruise is unavailable, we reserve the right to utilize an alternative vessel. Rest assured, we will make every effort to ensure that the advertised boat is accessible. Certain cruises do not have a specific boat assigned to them, as we rely on a selection of available vessels to accommodate fluctuations in weather, seasonal passenger numbers, and planned maintenance. While specific boats cannot be guaranteed for every cruise, we guarantee that you will still enjoy the same exceptional cruise experience on a different vessel.

Durban: Durban: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

2. Durban: Durban: Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Embark on an exhilarating 2-hour expedition into the Indian Ocean, where you'll have the extraordinary opportunity to witness the majestic humpback whales up close. Join a qualified whale tour guide who will provide fascinating insights into these magnificent creatures and other local marine life. Upon arrival at the meeting point, you'll be warmly greeted by your guide. Step aboard the 11-passenger boat, which has been registered with the South African safety authority as a suitable Whale and Dolphin Watching vessel since 2012. It proudly holds one of the limited whale watching permits in Durban. Set sail onto the deep blue ocean, navigating towards the Mozambican current, and settle into your front-facing seats with the skipper and crew positioned behind you. Between June and November each year, keep a lookout for the awe-inspiring displays of the whales breaching the surface as they make their migratory journey from the Southern Oceans to warmer tropical waters for mating and giving birth. Witness the whales in their natural habitat, marveling at their inquisitive nature. If luck is on your side, you may witness remarkable moments such as a mother nurturing or playing with her calf, or older calves engaging in playful jumps and interactions to seek the attention of the adults. In addition to the whales, this tour offers the chance to observe dolphins frolicking in the ocean swells and, on occasion, catch a glimpse of turtles emerging from the crystal-clear depths to feed on surface delights. Prepare to be captivated by the diverse local wildlife, ranging from birds and fish to the colossal humpback whales themselves, which can reach lengths of approximately 15 meters (49 feet) and weigh around 30 tons. Occasionally, you may even encounter orcas, manta rays, and formidable killer sharks. Please note that cruises do not have a dedicated boat and rely on a selection of available vessels to accommodate fluctuations in weather, seasonal passenger numbers, and planned maintenance. While you may not be guaranteed a specific boat for your cruise, rest assured that you will still enjoy the same remarkable cruise experience aboard a different vessel. Important information: - This activity is not wheelchair-friendly. - It is not recommended for toddlers (parental responsibility). - The cruise route is subject to weather conditions.

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

3. Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

This tour will take you on an unforgettable trip around Durban. Durban Harbor is the biggest and busiest harbor in the southern hemisphere. The harbor tours are especially educational for kids, as the boat takes them to points of interest in Africa’s largest harbor and shows them the route through which ships enter the harbor, discharge cargo, and exit. The skipper will teach the passengers about the port and its operation. If the weather conditions are favourable, the boat may go further out from the shore. The skipper is in close contact with the passengers and will give you a comprehensive guided tour. The trip will either take you down the Maydon Wharf Channel or to the City and Cor Container terminal.

Durban: Luxury Canal Cruise

4. Durban: Luxury Canal Cruise

Marvel at the iconic Durban skyline from a unique perspective on a 30 minutes circular journey around Durban point canals. Relax aboard a luxury pontoon boat, which features comfortable luxury seating and a professional tour guide. Pass by Durban’s historic and impressive attractions from the comfort of your boat. Cruise and sail through the canals and take in a unique atmosphere. See historic, impressive, like uShaka and Ithala Trade Centre. Enjoy a relaxing way to do sightseeing in Durban and escape the traffic noise and congestion. Explore the open decks that allow you to feel the cooling river breeze and see the city from many points that offer perfect photo opportunities.

Durban: Gondola Ride

5. Durban: Gondola Ride

Board an African gondola at the uShaka Marine World and go on a magical ride during the day or at night.  Sit back while enjoying your trip down the scenic canal and back. Relax on the gondola and marvel at the striking surroundings.  Enjoy the picturesque canal and take in the stunning views. Pass by beautiful bridges and admire the unique atmosphere of this activity.

St Lucia Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wild Cat Day Tour

6. St Lucia Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wild Cat Day Tour

The tour leaves from Durban and heads north of South Africa to Isimangaliso Wetlands Park- Greater St Lucia.The 332,000 hectare Isimangaliso Wetland Park was announced South Africa's first World Heritage Site in December 1999, while its name still remains as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. It received this prestigious status in recognition of the beauty of the landscape, its unique ecological processes and the exceptional diversity of species that the park protects. You will go on a 2-hour boat estuary tour where you will have a chance to be close to hippos, crocodiles and the famous fish eagle. After the trip you will take a leisurely walk along the estuary and see the beauty of the coastline area. From there you will go to the Emdoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary where you will have the opportunity to learn more about South Africa's wild cat species. You will be taken aback by the beauty of the caracal, enchanted by the very playful cerval and mesmerized by the speed and agility of the cheetah. The aim of the Emdoneni Wild Cat Sanctuary is to care for wild cats that have been orphaned or injured in the wild and are in need of care and rehabilitation. They also intend to breed successfully if possible and release the offspring back into their natural habitat.

Durban: DumaZulu Cultural Village & Boat Safari Day Trip

7. Durban: DumaZulu Cultural Village & Boat Safari Day Trip

See the Unesco World Heritage Site of the ISimangaliso Wetlands Park, then witness traditional arts, crafts, and performances at the DumaZulu village. Depart from Durban and head north along the coast to northern KwaZulu-Natal. The first stop will be DumaZulu Cultural Village in the heart of Zululand. Experience a village depicting traditional Zulu culture, with beehive huts arranged in a circle around a cattle kraal. Enjoy a welcome from a local guide who will explain the traditions and customs of the Zulu people including basket-weaving, and spear and shield-making. Feel free to purchase some decorative beadwork from the locals. View the village Sangoma perform traditional bone throwing, dancing, and singing of the Zulu tribe. Next we will stop at the small town of St Lucia inside the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Board a riverboat for a 2-hour guided tour of the estuary. Encounter a unique ecosystem of pristine coastline and magnificent scenery. Keep an eye out for hippopotami, and maybe see one of the estimated 1,000 crocodiles. The Park also has wildlife like lions, zebra, elephants, leopards, giraffes, black and white rhinos, and fish eagles. After St Lucia we will take a slow drive to Durban

7 activities found
Sort by:

You might also like...

Immersive experiences

Frequently asked questions about Durban Cruises & boat tours

What are other things to do than Cruises & boat tours that are worth visiting in Durban?

The other unmissable things to do in Durban are:

Which Durban Cruises & boat tours are taking additional COVID-19 precautions?

Other Sightseeing Options in Durban

Want to discover all there is to do in Durban? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Durban

Value for money, great experience and tour guide was very helpful and friendly. Loved the whole experience. We were a bit late but they contacted us and waited until we arrived

It was nice, I really enjoyed it, our boat driver was also very nice, the only problem was the hear, it was too much

I had a great experience although I was scared in the beginning. I got used to it and it was enjoyable

The person who took us on the cruise was friendly and taught us a lot about the sea and boats.

Was nice experience just wish we can have a say on choose the boats for our selves