Southern Africa Cruises
Table Mountain, two oceans and the desert coast of Namibia.
Get Southern Africa QuotesWhere Two Oceans Meet
Southern Africa offers some of the most varied cruising on the continent: a great city below a flat-topped mountain, subtropical beaches, desert dunes running into the Atlantic, and wildlife on and off shore.
The key ports are Cape Town, Durban on the Indian Ocean coast, Walvis Bay in Namibia, and smaller calls such as Mossel Bay and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), which open up the Garden Route. Voyages range from short MSC cruises from Durban to long sailings between Cape Town and Europe or Asia.
The Main Ports
| Port | Country | Highlights within reach |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | South Africa | Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Cape Point, Boulders Beach penguins, the Winelands |
| Durban | South Africa | Beachfront promenade, Indian cuisine and markets, the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Zulu culture, game reserves on longer trips |
| Mossel Bay / Gqeberha | South Africa | Garden Route coastline, Knysna lagoon and nearby game reserves |
| Walvis Bay | Namibia | Flamingo lagoon, dolphin and seal boat trips, dunes and Swakopmund |
MSC’s South Africa Season
For the 2026–27 southern summer, MSC Cruises has scheduled MSC Armonia in South Africa, replacing MSC Opera. The season begins in Durban in late November 2026, and the ship moves to Cape Town in early 2027. Calls on the season’s itineraries include Portuguese Island and Pomene in Mozambique, Walvis Bay in Namibia, Port Louis in Mauritius and La Possession on Réunion.
These cruises are designed mainly for the South African market, so on-board style, pricing and timing reflect local holidays. They can be a fun, good-value way for visitors to add a few days at sea to a South Africa trip. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can check dates against your land plans.
Before and After Your Cruise
The Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are an easy day or overnight from Cape Town.
The Cape Peninsula
Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point and the African penguins at Boulders Beach in a single long day.
Safari
Fly to a private reserve or Kruger, or add Botswana and Victoria Falls; see Chobe River Boat Cruises.
Southern Africa Questions
When is the cruise season in South Africa?
Mainly the southern summer. MSC Armonia’s 2026–27 season starts in Durban in late November 2026 and moves to Cape Town in early 2027. International voyages call mostly between November and April.
Can I see wildlife on a South Africa cruise?
Yes, though big game is usually a land extension. From Cape Town you can see African penguins and seals; from Durban, game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal are within reach on longer tours; from Walvis Bay, dolphins, seals and flamingos.
Is Walvis Bay a good port for the Namib Desert?
Walvis Bay is the gateway to Namibia’s coastal dunes and the town of Swakopmund. The famous red dunes of Sossusvlei are much farther inland, so they need a long day trip or a flight.
Cruise Southern Africa
Tell us whether you want a short cruise from Durban or Cape Town or a longer voyage, and when. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will weigh the southern Africa options and send free quotes.
Get Southern Africa Quotes