South Africa Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
25 ships from 12 cruise lines
South Africa cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 111 upcoming sailings on 25 ships from 12 cruise lines visiting South Africa, calling at 6 places. Cruises can start in Cape Town and Durban and end in Cape Town and Durban. Of 111 upcoming sailings, 52 start in South Africa and 46 end there. More Africa cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare South Africa cruise lines
See every South Africa cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About South Africa
South Africa offers the rare combination of wild coastlines, cosmopolitan cities, dramatic mountains, and world-class wildlife. For the milestone traveler who dislikes being herded, the best way to see it is on a small expedition ship with a few unhurried days on land—especially in Cape Town, the Garden Route, and a private safari reserve.
Typical routes
- Cape & Atlantic Seaboard: Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Knysna, and Gqeberha, with dramatic cliffs, whale watching, vineyards, and fynbos.
- Indian Ocean & Wild Coast: Gqeberha, East London, Durban, and Richards Bay, with subtropical coast, Zulu culture, and safari reserves.
Ports overview
Coastal cruising in South Africa is expedition-style rather than river cruising. Ships work the cold Atlantic side from Cape Town to the Garden Route, then around the warm Indian Ocean coast toward Durban. Many calls are at working ports or scenic anchorages, so the guide is what matters as much as the berth.
Cruise season
October-April for coastal cruising; May-September for safari; June-November for southern right whales. Cape Town is windiest December-February.
Find your South Africa sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at South Africa, earliest departure first.
27 Days One-Way from Venice to Durban
Ends in South Africa. Also visits Italy, Croatia, Greece
MSC Armonia
13 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Botswana, Zimbabwe
African Dream
13 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Botswana, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean Dream
Why Book With Waterways Cruise?
Four decades of expertise, one dedicated advisor, and every detail handled, from your front door to the gangway and back.
Cruise Concierge
A dedicated advisor who learns your name, your travel style and your preferences, then stays with you from the first conversation to the day you return home. Not a call center. Never a stranger.
100% Custom‑Built
No cookie-cutter packages. Flights, hotels, transfers and shore days are designed from scratch around how you actually like to travel, then refined until the trip feels like yours.
40+ Years in Travel
Founded by J. Richard, a four-decade veteran of the travel industry, and focused solely on premium river and ocean cruising. Decades of ship and itinerary knowledge go into every recommendation.
Book With Total Confidence
A travel agency that is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, CLIA, ASTA and IATA.
15 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Zimbabwe, Botswana
Zambezi Queen
10 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Zimbabwe, Botswana
Zambezi Queen
14 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Johannesburg
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Zimbabwe, Botswana
Zambezi Queen
23 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Mumbai
Starts in South Africa. Also visits France, Mauritius, Seychelles
Silver Muse
19 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Port Louis
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Madagascar, Mayotte, Mauritius
Hanseatic Spirit
16 Days One-Way from Cape Town to Port Louis
Starts in South Africa. Also visits Mozambique, Madagascar, France
ms Europa 2
4 Days Durban, South Africa Round Trip
Starts and ends in South Africa. Also visits Mozambique
MSC Armonia
5 Days Durban, South Africa Round Trip
Starts and ends in South Africa. Also visits Mozambique
MSC Armonia
19 Days One-Way from Port Louis to Cape Town
Ends in South Africa. Also visits Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte
Hanseatic Spirit
Where South Africa cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (2)
Cape Town (100) (cruises from) · Durban (68) (cruises from)
Ships by type: 20 ocean 3 river 2 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your South Africa cruise
South Africa cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
South Africa cruise port guide →More Africa cruises
Morocco · Egypt · Tunisia · Algeria · Sao Vicente Island Cape Verde · Namibia · Mauritius · Cape Verde
Frequently asked questions about South Africa cruises
How many places do cruises visit in South Africa?
6 South Africa places are visited by 25 ships from 12 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a South Africa cruise?
October-April for coastal cruising; May-September for safari; June-November for southern right whales. Cape Town is windiest December-February.
Sources and further reading
Background on South Africa draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: South Africa
- South African Tourism: Official Travel Guide to South Africa
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
- South African National Parks: Kruger National Park
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!