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KwaZulu-Natal Cruises & boat tours

Our most recommended KwaZulu-Natal Cruises & boat tours

St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

1. St Lucia: Hippo and Crocodile Cruise on a 15-Seat Vessel

Witness hippos, Nile crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species onboard a cruise departing from St Lucia. This two-hour safari gets you up close to the residents of the estuary. Discover St Lucia iSimangaliso Wetland Park, one of the largest Estuarine systems in Africa. Travel aboard an exclusive 15-seater vessel with experienced and knowledgable skippers and rangers onboard. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and furnish you with some incredible facts and information on the area.

Durban: 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise

2. 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: 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf

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

Spend a day touring Durban from a vantage point on the Indian Ocean. Check out the sights and look out for pods of dolphins along the route. Pass by enormous container and cruise ships at the port. See the beautiful beachfront from a new perspective out on the water, and Wilson's Wharf; a lovely hidden gem filled with restaurants and entertainment. Enjoy protection from the sun with a semi-covered boat so you can see the sights comfortably.

Durban: Canal Cruise

4. Durban: 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.

Durban: Boat Safari & Zulu Cultural Village Day Trip

6. Durban: Boat Safari & Zulu Cultural Village 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 is 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. Next, immerse yourself in the 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, before making the journey back to Durban.

St Lucia Boat Safari and Emdoneni Wild Cat Day Tour

7. 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.

Frequently asked questions about KwaZulu-Natal

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Other Sightseeing Options in KwaZulu-Natal

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What people are saying about KwaZulu-Natal

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 10 reviews

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