New R230 million development for the ultra-rich coming to the V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is investing R230 million in a new superyacht marina to boost Cape Town’s marine economy by supporting tourism, local manufacturing, and maritime services while positioning the city as a global yachting hub.

The V&A Waterfront recently announced that it was launching a R230 million, Quay 7 Superyacht Marina that will create new economic opportunities for Cape Town’s marine services sector.

This development will be located at one of the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest working harbours and among the most visited destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Positioned in front of the new Cape Town EDITION hotel, the basin will offer views of the Atlantic Ocean, the City Bowl, and Cape Town’s most celebrated landmark – Table Mountain.

Scheduled for completion in October 2026, the development will position Cape Town as a key player in the global ocean economy.

The city will not just be a scenic stopover, but also a working maritime hub with the infrastructure and expertise to service an increasingly sophisticated international industry.

V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood said the marina will address a market reality that has been building for years.

“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.”

The marina is designed for dual-purpose use. During peak season, the six stern-to and two beam-on berths and their floating jetties will accommodate superyachts of 40–90 metres. Specifications and confirmed key features include:

• 8 berths, 6 stern-in and 2 beam-on for vessels 30m–90m in length.
• Floating jetties with full utility servicing (electricity, water, Wi-Fi).
• Bonded fuel supply at Elbow quay at the newly tenanted FFS refuelling facility.
• 113.71m² concierge lounge
• 100m² storage facility
• Additional services: Security, repairs, and refits (Syncrolift and Robinson Dry Dock)

In the off-season, the facility will support commissioning and export staging for Cape Town’s catamaran manufacturing industry.

This sector includes globally competitive builders such as Robertson and Caine, Two Oceans Marine, and Balance Catamarans.

A victory for Cape Town’s economy

The V&A Waterfront’s Executive of Marine & Industrial Property, Andre Blaine, explained that this isn’t only a leisure marina.

“It’s economic infrastructure. It creates sustained demand for fuel suppliers, provisioning companies, marine engineers, crew training facilities, and logistics operators.”

“It supports local manufacturers who need berthing space for commissioning. And it positions Cape Town as a credible technical hub, not just a beautiful harbour.”

The marina is part of the broader V&A precinct expansion, which includes the Cape Town EDITION hotel, the newly refurbished Intercontinental Table Bay Cape Town, and the East Pier Helistop.

The investment signals confidence in Cape Town’s ability to compete globally while delivering tangible local benefits.

The facility will require additional permanent staff with broader employment multiplier effects in the provisioning, refuelling, marine maintenance, and hospitality sectors.

The facility will have a dedicated concierge office to serve the vessels and their crews. Wood stressed that the basin represents a high-value, low-volume tourism model.

“A superyacht visit generates exponentially more economic activity per visitor than mass tourism,” he explained.

Blaine added that superyachts refuel with hundreds of thousands of litres at a time, and also source fresh provisions at scale.

“They employ local marine contractors for repair work. The spend is substantial, the volume is manageable, and the economic benefit stays local.”

The development also reinforces Cape Town’s credentials in sustainability and responsible maritime management. The basin plans to pursue Gold Anchor accreditation – an internationally recognised standard for marina excellence.

It will also incorporate environmental management systems aligned with the V&A Waterfront’s broader sustainability commitments.

The team noted that the superyacht marina sends an important message to the maritime community about Cape Town’s status and ambition.

“More than 30,000 vessels pass the Cape annually for trade and tourism. The cruise season has extended from seven to nine months,” Blaine said.

“Marine training, repair, and manufacturing sectors are already well-established. This new marina formalises what the market has been signalling for years: Cape Town belongs on the global maritime circuit.”

According to Wood, the new development is not only about the city or the V&A Waterfront chasing prestige.

“We’re responding to demonstrated demand with infrastructure that works year-round, supports local industry, and strengthens Cape Town’s competitiveness. This is about building on what we already do well – and doing it better.”