New R230m superyacht marina adds to Cape Town's growing luxury appeal

The appetite from ultra-high-net-worth travellers continues to evolve. Where travellers were once willing to spend a cool million on a week-long Mediterranean charter, there has been a recalibration toward more intentional, experience-led journeys for extended periods. 

At the V&A Waterfront, a R230 million superyacht marina development, as part of a broader Granger Bay precinct expansion, is positioning the city as a serious contender in this global ocean economy. Scheduled for completion in October 2026, the Quay 7 Superyacht Marina reflects growing confidence in long-term demand for high-value, low-volume travel.

Superyacht visits to Cape Town have continued to rise steadily, with dozens of vessels arriving each season and many staying for extended periods - sometimes up to a year.  

V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood says, “Superyacht visits have grown steadily since 2009, and we welcomed 35 vessels in the 2024/25 season alone. Many stay for extended periods – six months, sometimes a year – because Cape Town offers a unique mix: world-class tourism, reliable marine services, and access to adventure cruising routes that simply don’t exist in traditional yachting hubs.”

This shift toward longer stays signals that ultra-wealthy travellers are no longer chasing quick, high-cost escapes, but rather immersive, lifestyle-driven experiences.  

Built for a new kind of demand 

The marina's design is strategically engineered for the next generation of superyachts. It will feature eight berths - six stern-in and two beam-on - accommodating vessels between 40 and 90 metres. Floating jetties will provide full utility servicing, including electricity, water and high-speed Wi-Fi, while bonded fuel will be available at Elbow Quay via the FFS refuelling facility. 

Beyond berthing, the facility introduces a level of service infrastructure previously unavailable in the region. It intends to target Gold Anchor accreditation, which sets the internationally recognised standard for marina excellence. 

Positioned at the intersection of the Atlantic, Indian and Southern Oceans, Cape Town is also being reframed as a gateway - not just for leisure cruising, but for Antarctic expeditions and long-haul exploration routes, offering a counter-seasonal alternative to the increasingly congested Mediterranean. 

The rise of Hhotel-branded yachts 

At the same time, a new layer of competition - and opportunity - is emerging: global hotel brands are moving decisively into the super yacht space. Under Marriott International (also the operator behind the new R1bn Cape Town EDITION), The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has a growing fleet that includes Evrima (2022), Ilma (2024), and Luminara (2025). 

Effectively floating luxury hotels, the vessels offer near 1:1 staff-to-guest ratios, targeting travellers who want the privacy of yachting with the reliability of a trusted brand. 

Meanwhile, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has entered the market with Four Seasons Yachts, debuting its first 95-suite vessel in 2026, with residential-style design and highly personalised service.  

Brands such as &Beyond and Orient Express are developing their own yacht concepts, signalling a broader shift: high-end hospitality is no longer land-based and continues to evolve.    

While some superyacht brands only offer itineraries across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Northern Europe, the Mother City continues to present a compelling addition to global routing, particularly as demand grows for new, less-saturated destinations.