With a year-round subtropical climate, stretches of Blue Flag beaches and renowned for being a watersport paradise, take full advantage of one of KwaZulu-Natal’s greatest assets by cruising around on an array of boat rides in Durban and its surrounds.
Explore the warm waters of the KwaZulu-Natal rivers and coast by boat in the balmy city of Durban. Flanked by the expansive warm Indian ocean, a day spent aboard a boat may just be the adventure you are after! Choose between romantic gondola rides and full-day St Lucia tours. There’s so much beauty to be found here.
Highlights
- Scenic drive with amazing views
- A personal guide to point out landmarks and animals
- Relax and enjoy the beauty
Know before you book
- Cancel your booking up to 24 hours ahead of time for a full refund
- Bring sunscreen for day trips
- Not wheelchair accessible
The coastal city of Durban is known for its eclectic mix of African, Indian and colonial influences. Admire how these come together on a boat cruise through the Venice-style waterways or enjoy a trip out into the nearby wilderness!
Abundant in culture and nature, Durban is a fantastic place to explore by boat. You’ll see things you wouldn’t have access to any other way, and enjoy both people-watching and animal-spotting! We compare different types of Durban boat trips so that you can find the perfect one for you.
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Durban Boat Cruise Prices 2021
The cost of the tours starts at about USD $10 to $25, depending on the boat cruise. These range from half-hour sunset cruises around the beautiful Durban bay, to full-day cruises on the St Lucia river! Find the best boat trip for your Durban holiday!
Compare prices across the ticket providers below:
Times
You can find boat cruises on both the river and the ocean at most times of the day! Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset cruise or lengthy boat tour starting in the early hours of the morning, you can find everything here!
Monday – Friday: 6am – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday: 6am – 10pm
Best time to go
Durban is known as a city with no winter! The temperatures never drop too low, and the water is always warm. Durban’s driest season is between the months of May and August. This is the best time to visit. You will be able to enjoy the sweeping vistas and spot animal life without rain or cold!
Durban Sunset
Durban sunsets are some of the most beautiful in South Africa! Clouds turn bright orange and pink and the Durban cityscape takes on a golden hue. Both tour types include a view of the sunset if you choose. Check out when the sun sets in Durban at your time of visit, so that you can be sure not to miss it!
Durban Boat Cruise Tours
Cruise the Durban coastline or the nearby St Lucia river on the cruise of your choice. There are such fantastic choices in this city, you may want to do them all! Cruises are enjoyable for everyone, including couples, solo travelers, families, and friends. Some are all-inclusive, while others provide only the classic boat tours. Find the best one for you!
Romantic Boat Cruise in Durban
One for the lovers, a scenic cruise on a Venetian-style gondola is the perfect opportunity to steal a romantic moment with that special someone. The tours are short and sweet, a great way to end the night after a romantic dinner.
Make magic happen with an evening gondola ride amongst twinkling lights and a star-filled night sky. Treasure a quiet moment as you float away from the bustle of the Durban Point Waterfront Canal, and return feeling relaxed and energized. You can also enjoy this cruise at sunset, and enjoy the Durban cityscape in gorgeous golden hour.
One of the best things to do in Durban at night, you can choose between a simple gondola ride and a ride with picnic and drinks included! Open your beautiful handcrafted picnic basket, brimming with snacks, and lay back to soak up the sights on the 40-minute tour.
- Gondola ride
- Picnic (if specified)
- Private guide
- Food and drinks
- Gratuity (optional)
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Cruises from Durban – St Lucia Boat Rides
Enjoy the best of both worlds on this full-day tour departing from Durban to the ‘Elephant Coast.’ Ease back in the comfort of your guide-driven van as you hug the coastline on a scenic 3-hour trip, passing by Umhlanga, the Dolphin Coast, and Richards Bay before arriving in St. Lucia.
The Elephant Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is home to iSimangeliso Wetland Park (formally known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) and marks the first stop in this day-long adventure. Enjoy a historical trip down memory lane as your knowledgeable guide shares the rich history of Durban, and more specifically St. Lucia.
Untouched wetlands await as you take a guided stroll down the boardwalk from the estuary to the warm Indian Ocean, where regular sightings of hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife are enjoyed.
Get up close, but hopefully not personal, with more crocs and learn more about these prehistoric animals at a crocodile farm before heading out on the day’s grand finale, a 2 hour St. Lucia boat safari.
This unforgettable boat safari sees you cruise along Africa’s largest estuarine system, passing an array of habitats from mangrove swamps to riverine forest and home to hippopotamuses, crocodiles, fish eagles, and herons.
- Experienced guide
- Durban-area round trip transferss
- Boat cruise
- Estuary boardwalk tour
- Crocodile farm entrance
- Food and drinks
- Gratuity (optional)
Specification: Boat Cruise Durban (Gondola Rides & St Lucia Tours)
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Photos: Boat Cruise Durban (Gondola Rides & St Lucia Tours)
a GetYourGuide customer – France –
très enrichissant, animaux + culture zoulou (grâce au guide)
Graham – Australia –
Met our expectations The guide was exceptional, a true asset to his organisation