The V&A Waterfront is set to open a R230 million (US$14 million) superyacht marina in October. The developers say this will be the first-ever superyacht marina in sub-Saharan Africa and it aims to position Cape Town on the global stage as a premium superyacht berthing destination with the port also pursuing Gold Anchor accreditation.
The development comes in response to shifts in global superyacht routing patterns away from congested Mediterranean ports and bypassing the Suez Canal. The harbour recorded 35 superyacht calls in the 2024/25 season with many vessels using it as a seasonal base for stays of up to 12 months.
“Cape Town offers not just a safe harbour and world-class provisioning but access to expedition cruising grounds – Antarctic expeditions, Southern Ocean passages and Indian Ocean islands – that will define the next era of luxury yachting,” said Andrew Blaine, V&A Waterfront: Marine & Industrial Property Executive.
Quay 7 Superyacht Marina will be a stern-in, six-berth marina designed for vessels of up to 90m in length. The facility will provide floating jetties, 24/7 security, off-season catamaran berthing, bonded fuel supply and access to repair and refit companies. Passengers will have access to a concierge lounge at the Cape Town EDITION hotel as well as the waterfront’s dining, shopping and entertainment.
Graham Wood, CEO of V&A Waterfront, said: “We’re not chasing megayachts or building speculative infrastructure. We’re responding to demonstrated demand with a facility scaled for market reality. The opportunity is structural and Cape Town is perfectly placed to capture it.”
