A Small Sailing Yacht (CS-30)

Yachting in South Africa is a popular but elite sport. However it is not by any means exclusive to yacht club members. One can charter a yacht, join a club, or befriend someone who owns a yacht to experience the vast and wondrous marine life of South Africa.

With 2 800 kilometres of coastline, South Africa has many water sports but none as prestigious as yachting. Aside from requiring costly equipment, one would need a crew and a lot of free time. However, the rewards of yachting are incomparable mainly because of the sense of freedom one gets while out on the waters.

South Africans who are experienced in yachting will tell you that you can actually choose between your routes based on the temperature of the waters. In the Western Cape, the waters tend to be cold while along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal you can enjoy a dip in the warm waters after staying under the hot sun for hours. Additionally, with the continual developments in technology, yachting has become increasingly safe, and, so long as you buy an iPhone or an equivalent piece of equipment, you should always know where you are due to GPS.

South Africa’s Hot Spots for Yachting

You’ll find a hot spot in almost all provinces in South Africa. In fact, with 23 yacht clubs already running and more in the pipeline, it’s impossible not to have one wherever there is a coastline. However, 5 of the most popular yachting hot spots are found in Port Elizabeth, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay, Cape Town, and Knysna. Drop by any of these areas and you will find that there is always something exciting happening whether it be a yachting competition, sailing adventure, rentals, or lessons on yachting. If you fall in love with traversing the open ocean,  you should definitely check out the property for sale in George and the property for sale along the Garden Route: besides being the most scenic coastline in the country, living in this area will give you an opportunity to explore the waters further south as well as further north…

One of Cape Town’s most fabulous yacht clubs is the False Bay Yacht Club in Simon’s Town. Simon’s Town hosts the annual invitational Intasure Spring Regatta in September. In Cape Town there is a wonderful tradition among the yacht clubs in the area. Each one is to host an annual event which fosters better camaraderie between the clubs and their members.

If one isn’t a member of any club, it is still possible to enjoy the events or even yachting by renting from commercial establishments. The rental fee includes the yacht and crew so it’s completely an experience without any hassle – the perfect R&R for anyone!

South Africa’s Yachting Experience

Once you try yachting in South Africa, you’ll understand the intense love South Africans have for their surroundings. The marine life is amazing and one is able to come up close to seals, dolphins, penguins, whales, and hundreds of schools of fishes.

The experience is usually topped with an incredible buffet of seafood like oysters, fish, and of course, champagne.

While out at sea, you also get a chance to enjoy other water sports like snorkelling, swimming, and scuba diving. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you might want to try some treasure hunting although the treasure is not your usual gold and silver but tracking down the incredible kelp forests, tropical fish, and beautiful corals.

The Royal Natal Yacht Club: Oldest Yacht Club in South Africa

The Royal Natal Yacht Club in Durban was established in 1858. However, it was only able to start planning its own clubhouse in 1891 when it was awarded its charter. Aside from the annual regatta events, the club also plays host to dinghy races, keelboat races, and non-sailing events like socials and special events. Members also compete in local and international events. One can be a member of the club by filing an application form and paying the relevant fees.

In 2011 the club was in the news because of a threat by the municipality to cancel its on-going lease which still has 20 years to go, and shift the club to a month-to-month lease contract. This puts the 150 year old club at risk of being kicked out of its premises at any time. The Royal Natal Yacht Club is fighting the move and sees it as a legal challenge that can be resolved over time.