V&A Waterfront Marina

V&A Waterfront Marina – Cape Town, South Africa “Where Table Mountain towers above the mastheads”

There are few places in the world where you can moor your yacht in the heart of a bustling city, step off the gangway, and walk into a cultural, culinary, and retail playground — all while having a world-famous mountain standing guard over your shoulder. But that’s exactly what you get at the V&A Waterfront Marina in Cape Town, South Africa.

For the salty old dogs, globe-trotting cruisers, and luxury-loving adventurers alike, this is where the lines between marina and metropolis blur in the best possible way.

Setting the Scene

Tucked within the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront — a working harbour turned world-class leisure destination — the marina sits like a polished jewel in Table Bay. Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain looms behind, and the open waters of the South Atlantic Ocean shimmer out front. The dockside hums with the activity of tourists, artisans, fishermen, and superyacht crew.

Originally built in the 1800s to shelter merchant ships from winter storms, the V&A has evolved into a mixed-use wonderland: 450+ shops, 80+ restaurants and bars, museums, galleries, craft breweries, a world-famous aquarium, and even a Ferris wheel. It’s Disneyland for grown-ups with an ocean addiction.

The Marina Experience

The V&A Waterfront Marina isn’t the largest in Africa, nor is it the most technically advanced, but what it offers is unique: safe, secure mooring in the beating heart of one of the world’s most iconic cities.

The marina itself offers limited berths — especially for larger vessels — so booking ahead is essential. Superyachts can be accommodated with advance notice, though space is tight, and berthing is coordinated via strict port control protocols.

While it lacks the private-club feel of Mediterranean megamarinas, it delivers seamless access to services through a well-run Yacht Office and friendly dock team.

Getting In

Access isn’t as simple as pulling up to a lazy Caribbean mooring buoy. All vessels must:

Hail Cape Town Port Control on VHF Channel 14

Contact “Swing Bridge” on VHF Channel 71 to request entry through the basin gate

Follow timed bridge openings into the secure inner marina

These layers of control help manage the mix of working freight, tour boats, ferries, and visiting yachts. It’s a civilised dance — like threading a needle between a container ship and a seal.

Life Ashore

This is where V&A Marina earns its crown.

Once you’re tied up and lines are snug, the gangplank becomes your front door to one of the most vibrant waterfronts in the world.

Cafés, bars, and fine dining line the harbour edge — from sushi to steak, tapas to African fusion.

The Watershed market is a treasure trove of African crafts, local textiles, and handmade gifts.

Zeitz MOCAA, the Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, sits in a converted grain silo and hosts some of the continent’s boldest modern exhibitions.

Two Oceans Aquarium is steps away and showcases the rich marine life of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Live music, pop-up art shows, and bustling markets keep the quay alive long into the night.

There’s also every convenience for the long-range cruiser — supermarkets, pharmacies, barbers, and chandlers are within walking distance. And if you’re heading to or from the airport, you’re just 25 minutes from Cape Town International.

Culture & Community

This marina isn’t a sleepy sailor’s hideaway. It’s plugged into city life. Expect joggers on the quay, tour groups snapping selfies at every turn, and local boatbuilders chatting with visiting captains at the dock gate. It’s international and distinctly African — polished but real.

Don’t be surprised to find a mega-cat moored next to a local day-sailer, or a solo circumnavigator swapping stories with a charter crew on shore leave. This is a maritime melting pot, and it’s part of what makes the V&A so special.

Final Verdict

V&A Waterfront Marina isn’t just a stopover — it’s a front-row berth to everything Cape Town has to offer. The infrastructure is solid, the location unbeatable, and the lifestyle is second to none. Whether you’re provisioning for a South Atlantic crossing, wintering in the Southern Hemisphere, or just treating guests to a few nights under Table Mountain, this marina delivers.