Cape Town is looking to attract more of the global superyacht market, with the V&A Waterfront investing in marine infrastructure and luxury hospitality as Southern Africa works to establish itself as an international cruising destination.
Speaking at the African Boating Conference in Cape Town, V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood outlined plans that include the new EDITION hotel, the development of superyacht facilities at Quay 7 and the longer-term transformation of the surrounding waterfront into a coastal neighbourhood.
The developments come as new BOATPro research presented at the conference shows that Southern Africa welcomed 36 visiting superyachts measuring more than 24 metres in 2025, up from 14 in 2019.
The average length of visiting yachts in the region also reached 60 metres last year, compared with a global average of approximately 34 metres.
The figures point to an opportunity for Cape Town to attract more high-value yacht visits, with potential benefits for businesses across the tourism and marine sectors.
A superyacht valued at US50millioncouldgenerateanestimatedUS105,000 to US$330,000 in local spending during a two-week visit, according to the figures provided for the conference. This expenditure can support marine engineering, provisioning, transport, hospitality and other specialist services.
The V&A Waterfront Marina already ranks among the region’s five leading marinas for visiting superyachts.
The precinct’s appeal extends beyond its berthing facilities. Its restaurants, luxury accommodation, retail outlets and cultural attractions offer visitors access to a range of experiences within walking distance of their vessels, with Table Mountain providing a distinctive backdrop.
The new EDITION hotel and planned Quay 7 facilities are expected to strengthen this offering, supporting the ambition to position Cape Town as a destination where yacht owners, captains and guests can combine marine services with luxury hospitality.
The V&A Waterfront, which spans 123 hectares, attracts approximately 25 million visits annually and accommodates more than 1,000 tenants. Its operations support a working community of about 26,000 people, highlighting the scale of the precinct’s contribution to the local economy.
Building an African cruising destination
The ambition extends beyond Cape Town, with industry stakeholders seeking to establish Southern Africa as a connected cruising region offering distinctive experiences along the coastline and into the Indian Ocean.
As the African Superyacht Working Group transitions into Superyacht Africa, the initiative aims to promote the region internationally and strengthen its appeal to yacht owners exploring destinations beyond established cruising grounds such as the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Potential routes include destinations such as Mauritius and Seychelles, alongside Southern Africa’s coastlines, wildlife experiences and growing luxury hospitality offering.
The strategy centres on developing a recognisable African proposition while improving the marine infrastructure and services needed to support visiting vessels.
Government collaboration is also expected to play a role in the sector’s growth.
At the conference, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth Alderman James Vos reiterated their commitment to expanding the marine economy, attracting investment and addressing regulatory and business barriers.
For Cape Town, the opportunity lies in translating growing interest in the region into sustained economic activity, from yacht maintenance and technical services to accommodation, restaurants and tourism experiences.
The V&A Waterfront’s investment forms part of that broader effort, as the city seeks to strengthen its position in an international market that could bring new business and employment opportunities to the region.
IOL