The Best African Boating Destinations For Yacht Owners

There are fantastic boating destinations around Africa’s coastline that offer superb opportunities for yacht owners to experience the wonders of marine wildlife and the peacefulness of the open ocean. Africa’s coastline is home to some of the world’s largest marine animals, and these top African destinations provide yacht owners with unforgettable experiences for oceanic travel in Africa.

Yacht Ownership in Kenya

Kenya is a prime destination for luxury yachting in Africa. There are several marinas and yacht clubs along the Kenyan coast where owners can choose berthing and mooring facilities for their yachts. The beautiful bays stretching between Watamu, Malindi, Lamu, Kilifi, and Mombasa offer Kenyan yacht owners lots of options to enjoy water sports and year-round fishing. All yachts entering and operating in Kenya must comply with safety standards set by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA).

Yacht Ownership in Tanzania

Boating off the coast of Dar es Salaam, Pemba, Mafia, and Zanzibar Islands is an aquatic playground for yacht owners in Tanzania. Tanzania’s coastline is surrounded by a vivid underwater world of snorkeling islets and dive sites. Sport fishing is regulated under "tag and release" programs, and there is a bountiful array of game fish to be found. Yacht owners in Tanzania must register their vessels with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and obtain relevant licenses for operation.

Yacht Ownership in Mozambique

Owning a yacht in Mozambique can be a unique and rewarding experience, as the country has a long coastline and many beautiful islands and marine parks to explore. For high-intensity experiences, yacht owners in Mozambique enjoy deep-sea fishing around the islands of Pemba, Benguerra, and Bazaruto. Owning a yacht in Mozambique also opens up a world of marine wild life experiences that this part of Africa’s east coast offers, its not uncommon to sight dolphins, the rare and elusive dugong, turtles, manta rays, and the massively graceful whale shark. Some yacht owners opt to charter their boats for a return on investment from the high number of international travellers that visit the country looking for offshore excursions. Registration and licensing of vessels in Mozambique is a requirement of the Mozambique Maritime Authority (MMA), and yachts operating in Mozambique must comply with the safety standards set by MMA.

Yacht Ownership in South Africa

The deep seas that surround South Africa are home to some of the world’s largest, feistiest, and speediest ocean predators. Experiences like deep sea diving and fishing, witnessing the sardine run, and encountering migratory whales, are just some of the thrills that yacht owners in South Africa enjoy. This rich marine life makes for an abundance of year round boating experiences for yacht owners. South Africa has a number of yacht clubs and marinas suited to mooring luxury yachts including Knysna, Cape Town, Langebaan, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, Port Alfred, and Durban. The beautiful marina of the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is a gateway to cruising around the coast. Be it sunset or sunrise, the coastal views are regarded as some of the best in the world. Cape Town is also well known amongst the international sailing community for the many round the world saling races the city hosts. All yachts entering and operating in South African waters must be registered with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and comply with safety standards set by SAMSA. 

Yacht Ownership in Angola

The bay of Luanda is a watersport playground for luxury yacht owners in Angola, who berth their yachts at the Luanda Yacht Club, Marina Baia. In the summer months, Luanda and Lobito offer thrilling sportfishing experiences for anglers due to the interaction of the warm tropical current flowing south from the Gulf of Guinea and the cold Benguela current flowing north, but it can be unpredictable, hence it is important to have the necessary navigational equipment and an experienced skipper to charter these waters. All yachts entering and operating in Angola must comply with safety standards set out by the Angolan Maritime Authority.

Yacht Ownership in Africa

Overall, boating in Africa can be a rewarding experience for those who enjoy being on the water. However, it is important to be aware of the legal and practical considerations involved and to take the necessary precautions to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations. And, each African country has its own set of regulations and requirements. Weather conditions play an important part in planning longer trips and it is important to have up-to-date navigational charts and equipment. At all times, boat owners are encouraged to be mindful of their environmental impact and take steps to minimize pollution and protect marine life.

Get in touch with Boating World to find the best available new and second hand yachts for sale in Africa.