Superyachts, cruise ships proving to be big business for Cape Town

New BOATPro research presented at the African Boating Conference, held in Cape Town this week, shows that Southern Africa recorded 36 visiting superyachts over 24 m last year, compared with just 14 in 2019.

Significantly, the average length of visiting yachts in 2025 was 60 m, compared with a global average of around 34 m.

The research also shows that the economic benefits of these visitors extend well beyond the marina.

A superyacht valued at $50-million could generate an estimated $105 000 to $330 000 in local expenditure during a two-week visit, supporting businesses ranging from marine engineering and provisioning to hospitality, transport and specialist services.

The V&A Waterfront’s new R230-million Quay 7 Superyacht Marina is expected to open in November and will cater specifically to this high-value market.

Unlike conventional marina developments, the V&A Waterfront’s Superyacht Marina is designed for dual use.

In-season, the eight berths will accommodate superyachts, which typically carry elite tourists.

In the off-season, the basin will support the commissioning and export staging for Cape Town’s globally recognised catamaran manufacturers, including Robertson and Caine, Two Oceans Marine and Balance Catamarans.

Cruise Tourism Growing

A new economic impact study by StratEcon shared at Cruise Cape Town’s Annual Review 2026 shows that cruise tourism contributed a cumulative R5.7-billion to the Western Cape’s GDP over the past four cruise seasons.

The 2025/26 cruise season saw Cape Town, and the Western Cape, welcome 64 vessels, 106 240 passengers and 37 200 crew members.

Despite receiving cancellations during the season, owing to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, international passenger numbers remained above 2022/23 and 2023/24 levels.

The Port of Cape Town was also named Africa’s Leading Cruise Port at the World Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year.

Key findings from the economic impact study highlighted that, over the last four cruise seasons, cruise ship arrivals supported 7 875 yearly full-time equivalent jobs; generated R2.76-billion in household income; and contributed R791-million to the national fiscus.

In the 2025/26 season alone cruise ship arrivals contributed R1.35-billion to the Western Cape’s GDP; ensured R1.47-billion in total industry expenditure; and supported 1 700 full-time equivalent jobs in the Western Cape.

The study also found that the 2025/26 season recorded the second-highest number of embarking and disembarking passengers to date.

World cruises remained the largest contributor to GDP, while ship calls at the province’s smaller harbours, including Mossel Bay, Hermanus and Saldanha Bay, generated a further R11.2-million in visitor spending.

Looking ahead, Wesgro is focused on attracting new, strategic cruise investment and strengthening Southern Africa’s shared tourism offering. (Wesgro is the tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape.)

Central to this is the Southern Africa Cruise Alliance, established with partners in Namibia, Angola, St Helena and the Seychelles to develop multi-country itineraries, attract new cruise lines and extend the benefits of cruise tourism to more coastal communities.

Cruise Cape Town has also announced luxury rail operator Rovos Rail as its latest private sector partner.

This public-private partnership will aim to strengthen the connection between cruise tourism and premium land-based travel experiences across South Africa, thereby supporting regional tourism growth.

Cruise Cape Town aims to grow the cruise sector and brings together Wesgro, the Western Cape government, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, Transnet National Ports Authority, the South African Maritime Safety Authority, the V&A Waterfront, KASADA Asset Management Group (owners of the Cape Grace and Pullman Cape Town hotels) and Rovos Rail.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter