Cape Town Sailing Tour: A Helpful Review

Cape Town Sailing Tour: A Helpful Review

Cape Town Sailing Tour: A Helpful Review

Cape Town Sailing Tour: A Helpful Review

So, you’re thinking about taking that one-hour sailing tour in Cape Town’s Table Bay, right? Very much a bucket-list contender for a trip to South Africa, actually! Before you book, maybe read on, so you can be sure you are fully clued-up and that this is really going to be for you. Table Bay can, after all, give you glimpses of gorgeousness or, conversely, challenging times. We are here to tell you more.

Setting Sail: First Impressions

sailing cape town

It’s almost impossible not to be impressed as you get ready to shove off! The harbor atmosphere alone, with its mix of fancy yachts and hardworking fishing boats, well it just fills you with anticipation. Now, before the excitement overwhelms you, checking in is vital; ensure that all your papers are good and the life jackets actually fit!

Anyway, once you’re all set, walking onto the boat just creates a thrill. And yes, the skippers and crew, well, they tend to be great guys and girls, who know a lot, it’s true, about sailing and are often eager to share a bunch of insights about the area. Table Mountain views from the water? Just staggering. Right from the get-go, it has to be said that you’re getting your picture-postcard experience.

What You’ll See: Wildlife and City Views

cape town wildlife

It’s like you just never quite know what you might glimpse during your short trip! Plenty of times, these tours take you past the local seal colony, and it’s almost too fun to watch those cheeky creatures frolicking in the waves, isn’t it?

Plus, from the bay, it has to be said that the city skyline appears incredibly stunning, framed against the backdrop of Table Mountain and, yes, if you can, be certain to bring your camera; you’re sure to capture some simply amazing shots, actually. The tour does provide a super chance to just view the iconic landmarks, such as Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated), but it is quite a long way off!

The Sailing Experience: Wind and Waves

table bay sailing weather

So, the sailing part: actually very dependent on the weather. Very often, Table Bay gets some pretty punchy winds, and then that one-hour trip can get extremely exciting – in some cases, too exciting! Bear in mind that the crew really knows what they are doing. Yet, if you’re expecting just a totally relaxed cruise, make certain to check the weather outlook first!

Also, if the breeze is very light, well, it will be very different: maybe almost too gentle! Then, you may just find yourselves drifting peacefully, with just a subtle rocking of the boat. You might still like that – you never know! Whatever the weather, the skilled crew usually keeps things interesting by discussing a few of the local history and pointing out landmarks, you know.

Comfort and Amenities

sailing tour amenities

How comfy will you feel while out on the water? A key thing to bear in mind, right! It may not be the Queen Mary. Usually, the boats used for these tours tend to have at least basic amenities, with maybe someplace to sit, plus maybe simple restroom facilities. Now, the boats don’t always boast luxurious appointments, but, you know, these trips are often kept really brief. That usually doesn’t present an issue, I’d suggest.

Of course, it has to be said that what you’ll see on these tours differs across different operators, yet some will generally offer you, for instance, blankets if it becomes nippy and, of course, sunblock is essential – that South African sun can really be quite deceptive.

Is It Worth It?: Weighing the Pros and Cons

sailing cape town worth it

Right, let’s get to that point: is it all worth the money and time? It actually can be, yeah. The plus side? Almost unsurpassed photo opportunities, and, of course, you get an unique sense of Cape Town, viewing it from the ocean. If you just have a short period in the region, it has to be said that this is usually a super method for seeing a couple of key sights without spending an age travelling.

But, as well, keep in mind the tour is very dependent on the weather. In addition, if boats aren’t really your cup of tea, or if you’re liable to seasickness, it might actually be better just viewing the mountain from solid ground, like your own two feet standing on the Earth.

Key Pointers:

  • Weather Woes: It could very well be too windy, it’s possible that it could be too calm. Bear in mind that the conditions dictate how you experience things.
  • Seasickness: Very pertinent. Consider getting those pills ahead of the voyage in the event you normally don’t like being on a boat
  • Photograph opportunities: Ensure that the camera’s batteries have all been checked, it’s all packed with enough storage! These chances are wonderful!

So there you have it – this whistle stop trip of Table Bay could give you wonderful sights or potentially it won’t quite be what you’d expected, either way, armed with a bunch of this insight, the chance of a top experience, for you, has now definitely gotten that bit more likely.

#CapeTown #Sailing #TravelReview #SouthAfrica #TableBay