Cruise tourism continues to grow in the Eastern Cape with increasing numbers of international vessels docking in East London and Gqeberha during the summer months. In the 2024–25 season more than twenty cruise liners arrived in the province bringing over twenty five thousand passengers and crew.
Passengers typically spend between three and eight hours ashore and participate in guided excursions, cultural experiences, local dining, shopping and scenic coastal activities. These visits benefit local guides, transport operators, restaurants, craft markets and tourism businesses. Cruise passengers often share content online which increases international visibility for the province at no additional cost.
This steady growth diversifies the tourism market and reinforces the Eastern Cape’s position as an accessible and attractive coastal destination.
