Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: Explore Historic Waterway to Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Discover Cape Town’s historic canal with a Hop-On Hop-Off cruise. Explore the waterway, learn about its fascinating history, and enjoy an affordable and fun outdoor experience.

Duration: 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Canal Cruise (Route)

Operating Schedule: 08h00 - 17h00: Every 20/30 minutes
1. Greg Wright Architects Pty Ltd
Battery Park
2. City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront
City Lodge Hotel
3. 1 Cast Anchor Way
AC Marriot Hotel
4. Dockrail Road
Harbour Bridge Hotel
5. 4 Lower Long St
Cape Town Convention Center…

What's Included
  • Headsets for clear guide commentary
  • Flexible hop-on hop-off canal cruise
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Any attraction fees
Additional Information

Cruise the historic canal that connects Cape Town’s bustling central business district to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and learn about its interesting history. Whether you are looking for an easy way to get from point A to point B as a water-taxi option, or a fun outdoor and extremely affordable experience, the City Sightseeing’s canal water taxis…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(86 Ratings)
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1 star
Kenneth_m
Jan 30, 2026
Cape Town tour - Reliable and easy to use. The best way to get started with the most efficient way to do things in the world
Review provided by Viator
Grisaldai
Jan 19, 2026
Awesome - A relax informative canal cruise and burger combo It was very exciting to watch all the recreational activities as the boat passes. The canal banks flora is beautiful We were pensioners and the staff was polite patient and helpful to assist to get our footing on and off the boat. My picture and video on Pensioners FB forum and church groups I had a massive amount of enquiries Thank you It was 👍 awesome
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inga
Jan 7, 2026
The most relaxing experience. - My family and had an amazing experience with the Canal cruise. The team is friendly and always ready to help. We had moments where we had to make adjustments to our booking and we always got assistance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Safari25615680923
Sep 19, 2025
Smooth and relaxing - What an absolute gem of an experience in the V&A Canals! We were a big group and were accommodated immediately on arrival by super friendly staff and a very calm captain. The onboard commentary in multiple languages was very informative and made us all smile and laugh from time to time. We were able to get off at two stops on the route and jump back on when needed. Treat yourself to this great value experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour11809853978
Jan 22, 2025
Incredible day through the canals - We were so impressed with the value of our canal cruise, what a magnificent outing, such lovely friendly staff on all the little boats, and such an interesting bonus having the history and information about the route we traveled. I am so proud of Cape Town, and of this company that has seamlessly fitted into the majestic V&A Waterfront and added such value to locals and tourists alike. We took the cruise as a surprise for a very special staff member's birthday and she absolutely loved it, as did all of us. Thank you once again, we will do this again and again. Samantha
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keabetswe_m
Jan 9, 2025
Water. - It was a nice experience and saw the buildings and the hotels. I learned a lot and I saw the water with my mom.
Review provided by Viator
Voyager732063
Feb 19, 2026
GOOD, BAD, UGLY... - PROS: I booked online via your website and there was a bus stop right outside my hotel at the V&A Waterfront, which was a wonderful surprise. When I entered the bus the process of scanning my QR code and getting my printed tickets was seamless. One of the agents walked me upstairs to the top deck of the bus and gave me an updated brochure. I have done the bus tour before in other countries and I must say, she went above and beyond any other bus experiences. I had the pleasure of running into her again while doing the harbor cruise and she was still extremely helpful and courteous. CONS: I utilized the premium pass to the fullest. The bus was worth the money and an awesome experience. My only suggestion would be to have additional buses run in the opposite direction, like I have experienced in other cities. Once I was done with the purple wine line and the botanical garden, I had to ride 10 or so stops to get back to the waterfront. I could have gone back the opposite way in half the time. One major issue I had was the driver of my Sunset Bus tour. I took the bus to Satellite Hill. The ride to the hill was okay, I felt like the bus driver was going a little faster than I felt comfortable with in the curves considering it was a double-decker bus and he was ignorant of the weight balance. Right away, I decided I would sit on the bottom deck when it was time to return to the waterfront. On the way back things took an even worse turn. After departing from the hill there was a vehicle stuck on our bus's lane. In addition, there was another car doubled parked across, preventing our bus from leaving. The two lane road to get up and down the hill is a nightmare. Our bus driver attempted to maneuver our bus around this tight spot by driving us just shy of the edge of the cliff. I was extremely nervous, scared, and honestly wanted to get off the bus. Eventually, one of the motorists was able to move their car and our driver was able to safely maneuver us around the accident. I commend him for getting us safely around the vehicles, that took real driving talent. However, the driver then proceeds to speed nonstop down every curve of the mountain. It was extremely reckless! The customers sitting on the top deck of the bus were screaming and getting tossed around. We were hitting potholes and curves so fast that the bus was making noises and we were popping out our seats. The customers on the bottom, including myself, were yelling and pleading with him to slow down. One gentleman ran down the stairs from the top deck and politely asked him to slow down. The driver responded by yelling "go sit down! I have driven this route a hundred times, I know what I'm doing." He drove over the speed limit the entire ride back to the waterfront. What started as a beautiful experience, turned into a nightmare. We were just praying to make it back safely. I will NEVER take a sunset bus again and would never put my life in the hands of that driver.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anita_m
Jan 30, 2026
Poor - The route was amazing. But you guys never sent me the barcode and I was told they could not find my ticket and spent half the trip trying to convince the crew I paid and the email stated so. Please send barcoded tickets so people do not have issues on the cruises
Review provided by Viator
Siyabonga_m
Jan 6, 2025
Angry woow - That we not informed prior that the cruise was suspended due to bad weather. I'm still waiting for my refund
Review provided by Viator
Yogayogi
Jan 1, 2025
VERY BADLY ORGANISED - VERY BADLY ORGANISED. One of the BUSIEST holidays of the year but only ONE of the two boats operating. long queues. People had paid
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $5
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).