Every now and then, when you find yourself lying lazily in the golden sunshine along the Cape’s Atlantic Seaboard, you might notice a boatload of people sailing past.

How did they get there? Where are they going? Is that champagne they are holding in their hand?

Being a peninsula and all, Cape Town is pretty much surrounded by the ocean – yet it’s not very often that us locals take the leap and explore all that the big blue has to offer.

Depending on your budget and the type of ship you wish to travel on, there are a whole lot of options departing from one of the many harbours situated along the coast, listed by The Inside Guide.

Here are five of the most affordable, because it’s always good to know what you can still do on the last weekend of the month:

Shipwreck Cruise

Sail past the seals at Duiker Island (affectionately known as Seal Island to locals) to spooky Maori Bay, famous for its shipwrecks. This trip focuses on the Bos 400, an old crane barge that ran aground during the Cape storm of 1994. You’ll probably recognise it from diving-junkie videos or panoramic YouTube shots, but this tour from Drumbeat Charters will get you up close and personal for a real-life look at the sunken star.

Route Leaves from Hout Bay Harbour, and heads to Seal Island along the Karbonkelberg mountain range to Maori Bay where the shipwreck is located.
Duration Around 1 hour
Cost R90 (adults); R50 (children); Free (children under two years)

Sunset and Bubbly Cruise

This very Instagram-worthy trip for two around the Cape coastline offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. Relax aboard the vintage-inspired Spirit of Victoria sailboat, taking in the spectacular Cape Town sunset with a glass of bubbly (this trip includes two glasses of champers per person!).

Route Leaves from the V&A Waterfront, and heads out along the Atlantic Ocean.
Duration Around 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cost R320 (adults); R160 (kids)

Chapman’s Peak Cruise

Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the most breathtaking routes along the coast, but is often closed for maintenance work due to rock falls. Since you can’t be guaranteed to hop in your car and take a drive, why not opt for a cruise instead? Drumbeat Charters offers a trip to see the seals, with a return route along the majestic cliffs and hidden caves of Chapman’s Peak. Now you can enjoy one of the most scenic routes in the city, from the sea.

Route Leaves from Hout Bay Harbour, and heads to Seal Island, sailing back along the Chapman’s Peak coastline.
Duration Around 1 hour
Cost R90 (adults); R50 (kids); Free (children under two years)

Waterfront Sunset Cruise

Sail into the sunset in luxury onboard the Tigger 2 Royale, and enjoy stunning views of Clifton Beach, and the scenic route around Table Bay, with backdrops of Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles.

Tigger 2 Charters also offers a Lunch and Dinner Cruise (priced between R600 and R1 280) and a Private Romantic Lunch or Dinner Cruise (R12 000) for special occasions.

Route Leaves from the V&A Waterfront, heads around Table Bay (dependant on weather) to Clifton.
Duration Around 1 hour 30 minutes
Cost R370 per person

Seal Colony Cruise

This one is all about the seals! While other boat trips may include a view of our furry friends, this one celebrates them. Get close enough to see (and smell) the Cape Fur Seal in its natural habitat on Seal Island, also home to many different species of birds. Be sure to book this cruise between January and March, which is moulting season, so you’ll see the most seals. Known as the performers of the sea these guys are bound to put on a show, so remember to bring your smartphones and cameras.

Route Leaves from Hout Bay Harbour, and heads to Seal Island.
Duration Around 40 minutes
Cost R90 (adults); R50 (children); Free (children under two years)

However, while travelling on the open ocean is an exhilarating experience, wearing flippie-floppies on a boat isn’t for everyone.

In fact, one step on a floating dock pier and I am man down with motion sickness, so I’ll leave the boat-travelling endeavours to you.

You can find more deets on those boat rides above, and plenty others as well, over here.

[source:insideguide]