A Cape Town sunset is a special sight to behold, but ever more lovely when experienced from the deck aboard a luxury cruise.
While there are numerous yachts, boats and cats from which to choose, we recommend the Cruise iQ Peroni Catamaran, docked just outside the Den Anker restaurant on the Clock Tower side of the V&A Waterfront.
The iQ has a list of daily scheduled cruises in Table Bay, but most famous of all must be their opulent Sunset Cruise that departs at 7pm in summer. Eager to jump on board and nab a spot upfront, we arrived 20 minutes early and descended the gang plank to the gleaming boat below.
After a brief intro by the jovial crew and skipper, our party anchored away, the swing bridge parting to let our tall mast through as we waved excitedly to onlookers.
Just as we’d passed the breakwater, a pod of dolphins and their playful seal companions surrounded the boat, gambolling through the choppy water as we rushed to the sides before they dove out of sight. The crew popped the bubbles and handed us all complimentary glasses as they turned up the party tunes for our cruise out and around the coastline. With the sun just beginning its descent, we sailed out past the twinkling V&A Waterfront harbour and around the Atlantic Seaboard – Signal Hill and Lions Head rising before us with the Cape Town Stadium and Green Point lighthouse below.
Not deterred by the wind that saw us bobbing on an impressively large swell, our dexterous team hoisted the sail, opened the bar and made some snacks available for purchase. They also handed out cosy blankets to passengers needing an extra layer of warmth – one of which I snugly wrapped around my legs, not eager to retire inside quite yet.
The iQ paused its charter around Sea Point, where we watched the glowing red sun dip below the endless ocean, casting an orange light on our smiling, if a little windblown and sea-sprayed, faces. After a top-up of champers, plenty of photos and a bit of a dance (by one particularly excited passenger who really enjoyed the killer playlist) we slowly glided back, treated to views of Table Mountain and the City as it lit up at night.
We docked back into the dazzling Waterfront at 8:30pm, alighting just in time for dinner at our choice of any number of the attractive restaurants we’d just sailed by.
Tips for Your iQ Peroni Catamaran Trip
- Dress warmly and bring a jacket, even in summer
- Bring along money for the cash bar, snacks, and to tip the wonderful staff
- There are lavatories below the deck
- The iQ can seat 35 people
- A minimum of 15 passengers is required for each trip
- You are welcome to bring along your own snacks and drinks
- Times and departures may vary according to weather and season
- The cruise costs R300 per person and includes two glasses of bubbles
Book your Cruise iQ Experience
Email: fun@cruiseiq.co.za or call +27 21 421 5565 or visit their website here.
Blog post by: Tarah Darge