V&A Waterfront plans $13.4 million Cape Town Superyacht Marina 

Cape Town is set to add a R230 million ($13.4 million) superyacht marina, as the V&A Waterfront moves to expand its marine offering and capture a growing slice of high-end maritime tourism. 

The project, known as the Quay 7 Superyacht Marina, will be built within one of the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest working harbors. Positioned in front of the Cape Town EDITION hotel, the basin will offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, the City Bowl and Table Mountain. Construction is expected to be completed by October 2026. 

While often described as a “parking bay” for vessels, a marina serves a broader role. It provides secure berthing, maintenance access and full-service support for yachts when they are not at sea.

Rising demand for longer stays 

V&A Waterfront Chief Executive Graham Wood said the investment reflects a steady rise in superyacht traffic over the past decade. 

“Superyacht visits have grown steadily since 2009, and we welcomed 35 vessels in the 2024/25 season alone,” Wood said. 

“Many stay for extended periods—six months, sometimes a year—drawn by Cape Town’s mix of tourism appeal, marine services and access to cruising routes not found in traditional yachting hubs.” 

The marina will accommodate vessels between 40 and 90 meters during peak season, with six stern-to berths and two beam-on berths supported by floating jetties. In quieter months, the facility will support the city’s boat-building sector, serving as a staging and commissioning hub for export-ready vessels.

Industry support and local impact 

Andre Blaine, executive for marine and industrial property at the V&A Waterfront, said the project is designed to serve both leisure and industry needs. 

“This is not only a leisure marina; it is economic infrastructure,” Blaine said. “It supports fuel suppliers, provisioning firms, marine engineers, training facilities and logistics operators.” 

Cape Town is already home to established catamaran builders, including Robertson and Caine, Two Oceans Marine and Balance Catamarans, which are expected to benefit from additional berthing and servicing capacity. 

“It gives local manufacturers the space they need for commissioning and strengthens Cape Town’s position as a technical hub,” Blaine said. 

The marina forms part of a wider precinct that includes the Cape Town EDITION hotel, the refurbished Intercontinental Table Bay and the East Pier Helistop. 

Wood said superyacht tourism delivers a higher level of spending per visitor than traditional travel segments. Visiting vessels often refuel in large volumes, source provisions locally and hire contractors for maintenance work.

Expanding a key tourism hub 

The development is also expected to create jobs and support services ranging from hospitality to marine logistics, with a dedicated concierge office planned for visiting crews. 

The marina will target Gold Anchor accreditation, a global standard for marina quality, while incorporating environmental management systems aligned with the V&A Waterfront’s sustainability goals. 

More broadly, the project underscores Cape Town’s growing role in global maritime activity. More than 30,000 vessels pass the Cape each year for trade and tourism. 

The V&A Waterfront spans 123 hectares and draws over 24 million visitors annually, combining retail, hospitality and cultural attractions. In early February, it recorded more than three million visitors and R1.4 billion ($86.7 million) in retail sales during the December holiday period, despite ongoing construction and infrastructure upgrades.