Anchoring is forbidden within "any channel of the harbor." Any vessel arriving into Cape Town must have a berth at either the Royal Cape Yacht Club or the V&A Marina.
Cape Town is not a place for yachts that wish to anchor. Granger Bay can be used for day stops, but it is open to any weather from the N/NW and can get swell and surge. It can also be very windy and is not recommended to leave your boat unattended.
If you really want to anchor, either Saldanha Bay, 50NM to the north or Hout Bay to the south are possibilities. You will have to return (with boat) to Cape Town to check out.
In Cape Town, you currently have the choice between the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) in the south-eastern part of the commercial harbor and the marina in the "Waterfront", also called the V&A, Cape Town's favorite tourist centre on the eastern end of the port.
The RCYC has 386 block and chain moorings for members and visitors. Bookings are required in advance of any visit. A professionally managed, large marina with almost all facilities, but 5 minutes away from the city and the V&A by car. It also is squeezed in between the industrial parts of the commercial harbor. Visitors' berths are the first two berths inside the first pontoon.
For marina bookings email: marina@rcyc.co.za
For quotations/invoices/payment: email: diane@rcyc.co.za
The V&A can also be noisy with the motorway nearby, but is very close to a large number of shops, bars, cinemas, the aquarium and much more. It is necessary to call the bridge control (VHF channel 71) to arrange access into the marina. Berthing is alongside and stern-to the dock. A superyacht berth is under construction next to a new hotel (see photo below). This marina quickly books up for high season - the period from the end of November to the end of January.
Email: yachtoffice@waterfront.co.za
Hout Bay Yacht Club welcomes visiting yachts. Hout Bay Harbor is located some 20 miles south of Cape Town.
OSASA representative and OCC Port Officer: Robert Ravensburg - Ph: 082 555 0876
Last updated: September 2025
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