The Insider’s List: 10 Cape Town Gems for the Yachting Couple

Welcome to Cape Town. You've traded the helm for a hotel, and your logbook for a holiday itinerary. We know the feeling: even while you're enjoying the perfect African break, you’re probably still thinking about your next sail, or perhaps plotting an upgrade for the boat back home.

As fellow enthusiasts, we know you appreciate a holiday that focuses on real quality, easy living, and incredible coastal scenery—not tourist traps. This is the HopYacht team's personal, curated list of Cape Town’s 10 best spots for a yachting couple.

Plus a chance to scratch your yachting itch! Make sure you get to number 10 on our list.

1. Local Maritime Recon: Calypso Seal Island Tour

Image: https://circelaunches.co.za/boat-trips-activities/seal-island-boat-tour/

You can’t be in a harbour town and not check out the local marine residents! Jump aboard the Calypso in Hout Bay for a quick, 40-minute run out to Duiker Island. It’s a great way to check the local conditions and see the massive Cape Fur Seal colony up close. The Calypso is the original tour operator and features a unique glass bottom, giving you a fascinating perspective on the kelp forests and the seals below. It's a quick, essential trip on the water.

2. Checking the Coastline: The Quiet Drive to Kommetjie

Image: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/long-beach-kommetjie-gm1482556461-509474059?searchscope=image%2Cfilm

Forget the congested, trendy scenes. Head for the scenic, unhurried drive to Kommetjie. The views along this rugged route are spectacular, offering authentic coastal drama—the kind of raw, beautiful shoreline we all love to see from the water. Perfect for a quiet stroll.

3. Lunch Right on the Water: The Brass Bell, Kalk Bay

Image: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=767749172065312&set=a.561274322712799

This is the closest you’ll get to dining on the ocean without having to clear the galley afterward! Situated right on the water with unique tidal pool dining, The Brass Bell offers an unpretentious, high-quality seafood experience in a busy, classic port setting. You’ll feel right at home.

4. Get Back On The Water: Kayaking in Hout Bay

Image: https://www.kayakadventures.capetown/

Grab a double kayak and paddle out into Hout Bay. It’s a fantastic, quiet workout and a chance to get a unique, low-profile view of the surrounding mountains and coastline. A simple, rewarding way to spend a morning.

5. Survey Sea Conditions From Above: Brunch at Suikerbossie

Image: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/south-africa/western-cape/suikerbossie-to-myburgh-waterfall

Enjoy an invigorating, yet gentle, walk through the expansive nature surrounding Suikerbossie in Hout Bay. Follow this with a refined, relaxed brunch at the Suikerbossie Restaurant & Estate. The views from this elevated vantage point are breathtaking, offering a magnificent perspective of the bay. Bookings are essential.

6. Learn a New Water Sport: Surfing Lessons in Muizenberg

Image: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-au/cape-town-l103/muizenberg-cape-town-private-surf-lesson-t931254

Muizenberg offers perfect, gentle waves that roll in slowly. This is genuinely the best spot in Cape Town to finally take that beginner surfing lesson you always promised yourself. It’s low-pressure, high-fun, and gets you properly into the local Atlantic water culture.

7. Swop Navionics for Google Maps : Wine Tasting in Constantia

Image: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g312660-d7386646-Reviews-14_on_Klein_Constantia-Constantia_Western_Cape.html?m=19905

Forget enduring a long passage to the distant wine regions. This is your high-quality shore run to restock the cellar. The historic Constantia Wine Valley is right on Cape Town’s doorstep—it’s the fastest way to get the good stuff. Opt for a boutique estate like Klein Constantia or Buitenverwachting for a quality, intimate experience. Bookings are essential.

8. Chase the Wind: Kiteboarding in Langebaan

Image: https://kiterr.com/kitespots/africa/kiteboarding-langebaan-south-africa/

If you need a serious wind fix, this is your pilgrimage. Langebaan is about 90 minutes north of Cape Town, but the consistent wind and flat-water lagoon setting make it an unmissable destination for serious wind sports. It’s worth the day trip if you love sailing fast!

9. Portside Pondering: Art Viewing in The Waterfront’s Silo District

Image: https://zeitzmocaa.museum/buy-tickets/?v=8bcc25c96aa5

Avoid the main V&A Waterfront walkways (too many day-trippers!). Head straight for the Silo District. Visit the impressive, curated collections at the Zeitz MOCAA, focusing on contemporary African art. It's a high-quality, quiet venue in a beautifully repurposed grain silo—a quick, discerning visit in the heart of the port.

10. The Essential Stop: View the HopYacht 30

Alright, here’s the essential stop you’ve been waiting for—the place to truly scratch that yachting itch! Here's an opportunity to view and walk-through the HopYacht 30—the pocket catamaran perfect for couples.

Hop aboard and discover a 30' catamaran packed with comfort and lifestyle features usually only found on much larger boats. Her queen size bed and full-height, spacious shower deliver unmatched quality of life on the water.

Paul and Mary-Clare, the founders, will be there to greet you at Royal Cape Yacht Club and give you their insight into why HopYacht really lives up to the promise of easy, comfortable sailing. This prestigious club offers unique maritime ambience and you'll enjoy Table Mountain as a backdrop.

To View, Make Contact Here.

Or email hello@hopyacht.co.za for direct inquiries.

Living Comfortably Afloat: How the HopYacht 30’s Cockpit Awnings Transform Sailing in Any Weather.

By Mary-Clare Tomes, Co-founder, HopYacht

When we first started designing the HopYacht 30, I have to admit we were focused on the big, headline-grabbing features: electric propulsion, the simplified single-sail rig, the walk-around queen-size bed. However, as someone who loves sailing yet values comfort above all else, and having spent years in regions where weather can shift from brilliant sunshine to driving rain within an hour, I became obsessed with something far less glamorous: the cockpit awning system.

I know, I know. Awnings don’t sound exciting. But this is where the HopYacht 30 absolutely shines for those of us who want to quality of life onboard, not just endure the elements.

"The cockpit is your living room."

On the HopYacht 30, the cockpit isn’t just a place to sit while you sail. It’s where the galley is located. It’s where you dine, entertain, relax with a book, and yes, it also incorporates the helm station! This is your main living space afloat. And in changeable weather, an unprotected cockpit would mean you are constantly at the mercy of wind, rain, and temperature swings.

The design team at North Sails understood this completely. So they created a modular awning system, using premium Italian Sunbrella all-weather fabric. This transforms the cockpit into a genuinely liveable space, regardless of what’s happening outside.

"Two layers ... for more versatile living."

Each awning panel features a simple dual-layer design that’s incredibly effective. The outer layer is mesh, allowing air to flow freely through the cockpit. This means on warm days, you get excellent ventilation without sacrificing protection from gusty winds. The inner layer is clear waterproof material that keeps rain out completely.

What I love about this system is its adaptability. On a breezy but dry day, you can drop the mesh layer to cut the wind while still maintaining airflow. When rain threatens, drop the clear layer and instantly you’re in a protected space where you can continue cooking, eating, or simply enjoying your sundowner without getting drenched.

"They're modular so you still have a view."

The awnings are designed as separate sections, which means you’re never forced into an all-or-nothing decision. If the wind is coming from starboard, drop that side’s awning while leaving the port side open to preserve your view and sense of openness. You can configure the protection exactly as conditions demand.

And remarkably even with the awnings fully deployed, you can still see through them. The clear panels maintain excellent visibility, which is crucial not just for enjoying the scenery, but for the practical matter of helming the boat. From the helm station, you retain clear sightlines for docking manoeuvres, even with full weather protection in place.

"For horrible weather sailing ... stay all zipped up!"

For those of us in regions where weather can be genuinely challenging, the full helm enclosure option is transformative. This attaches to the Bimini top on all four sides, creating a completely enclosed helm station, still allowing access from the side deck. The entrance can be rolled up for easier movement when casting off or coming alongside.

There’s a zipped window opening providing access to the winch, meaning in really foul weather, you can sail the boat single-handed from inside the full enclosure. No need to venture into driving rain to adjust the sail.

If a full enclosure feels like overkill for your part of the world, we have a tonneau cover as part of the standard specification. Inspired by vintage open sports cars, this covers just the helm station area, providing targeted protection and is quick and easy to fit.

"Make the boat lighter and brighter ... even on a bad day."

What truly amazed us all is how the full enclosure handles light. All the panels are made from clear see-through material, and when you’re sitting in the protected cockpit, the natural light flooding through is extraordinary. It’s like having a skylight in your house, making the space feel bright and welcoming rather than claustrophobic. Even in miserable weather, the cockpit remains a genuinely pleasant place to be.

'No faffing around ...that's what I like!"

The engineering of the awnings shows real attention to detail. The rolled-up sections are secured with flaps that zip together, creating a neat, tidy appearance rather than the sagging bundle you see on some boats. The attachment system uses a combination of press studs, turnbuckles, elastic loops, and hooks with large nylon zips featuring pull tabs. All easy to deploy and secure, even when you’re doing it single-handed, in challenging conditions.

"Shade, shelter, and don't forget ambience.

The HopYacht 30 is fundamentally about lifestyle afloat. We designed it for people who want to enjoy sailing without the constant physical demands and discomfort that can make traditional yachts feel like an endurance test. Our awning system is a huge part of delivering on this promise. Whether you need shade from intense sun, shelter from wind, protection from rain, or simply want to create a more intimate, comfortable atmosphere in the cockpit, the awnings give you the tools to craft exactly the environment you want. You’re not fighting the weather; you’re managing it on your terms.

The galley integration in the cockpit makes perfect sense when you have this level of weather protection. You can cook alfresco in the true sense, enjoying the views and fresh air, while knowing that if conditions change, you can simply drop the appropriate awnings and carry on without retreating below.

This is sailing reimagined for people who love being on the water but refuse to sacrifice comfort in the process and I love it!

Now Available for the HopYacht 30: The Helix Furling Gennaker.

HopYacht has always been about simplicity under sail — “one sail flow at a time.”However, for owners wanting to enhance light-wind performance while keeping sailing effortless, we’ve just added something special: a Helix Furling Gennaker, developed in collaboration with North Sails, Cape Town.

Finding the Perfect Downwind Solution

Our goal was to find the best cruising spinnaker option for the HopYacht 30 — one that could be handled safely and easily by two people. Working with the North Sails design team, we explored three configurations:

• A Code 65 furling asymmetric flown from a bowsprit

• A Cruising Asymmetric spinnaker flown from a bridle using a snuffer

• A Helix Furling Gennaker, also flown from a bridle between the bows

Each had its strengths. The Code 65 works effectively between 100° and 50° apparent wind angles, making it better suited for reaching. The Cruising Asymmetric spinnaker performs best from 175° to 100°, perfect for deep downwind sailing. The Helix Furling Gennaker offered the best of both worlds — effective from around 165° to 70–80°, making it a true all-rounder.

So, the decision was straightforward: the Helix Furling Gennaker delivered the versatility we wanted — a single sail solution for a wide range of conditions.

What Makes the Helix Furling Gennaker Unique?

North Sails designed the Helix with cruising sailors in mind. Its structured luff eliminates the need for a heavy cable, making the sail lighter, more reliable, and easier to handle. North describes it as “easy to fly, easy to furl, and easy to stow” — and our first sea trial proved exactly that. You can read more about the North Sails Helix technology here: Introducing the Helix Furling Gennaker – North Sails

Sea Trial Success in Table Bay

We recently took our latest HopYacht 30 out for her first gennaker flight in Table Bay, Cape Town.The breeze was 15 knots, gusting 18 — a solid test for a new sail. The Helix performed flawlessly: easy to hoist, quick to furl, and remarkably stable even in gusty conditions. The HopYacht maintained a steady 6.5 knots SOG, showing just how much this sail adds to light- and moderate-wind performance. Onboard, Geoff Meek from North sails, pointed out this was the speed clocked with two large fixed propellors. With folding props he reckoned we could have added another 1-1.5 knots. Or better still, with hydro-generation, at this kind of speed ther bmotors would be topping up the batteries nicely!

Effortless Handling — True to HopYacht Simplicity

Simplicity remains central to the HopYacht philosophy. The gennaker sheets are led to the helm station winch parallel to the Genoa sheets, using Harken blocks throughout. Deployment is straightforward:

• A crew member on the bow trampoline clips the furler on to the bridle and feeds the sail from its bag.

• The helm hoists the furled sail and prepares to sheet in

• A Velcro patch at the clew keeps the sail furled until pressure on the sheet unfurls it smoothly.

The Genoa is furled away before the Gennaker is deployed — keeping everything calm and controlled. With electric on-demand motors, there’s no rush. You can take your time, stay on course, and enjoy the wow factor as the gennaker unfurls!

Gybing is equally stress-free: in light airs, the gennaker passes easily across; in stronger winds, you can opt to furl it away, adjust course, and unfurl on the new tack — no drama, reducing wear and tear on the sail.

With the Karver continuous loop furler, simply sit comfortably on the trampoline and pull the furling line while the helm eases the sheet. That’s it — no winch work, no instructions being barked across the boat and no stress!

Two People, Endless Freedom

Our brief to North Sails was simple: a cruising spinnaker that two people can handle comfortably. They delivered - and more. The Helix Furling Gennaker fits perfectly with HopYacht’s philosophy: easy, relaxed single sail sailing. Still one sail flow at a time -j just with a bit more breeze in your sails!