A uniquely East London adventure – Southern Cross Cruises
If you enjoy the great outdoors, why not enjoy the best East London has to offer, our beautiful rivers and our stunning warm ocean teaming with wildlife… from the water.
John Barry and Katinka Heidkross have been doing just that for many years and are the proud owners and operators of East London’s premier ocean and river cruising company, Southern Cross Cruises, currently operating from Latimers Landing in the Port of East London, the only natural harbour in South Africa.
With over 10 000 hours of experience at sea, skipper and owner John has been delighting locals and visitors alike with his exciting and unique cruise offerings. With 4 different vessels, Southern Cross Cruises caters for all appetites, from the sedate to the seriously adventurous, and everything inbetween. As the only SAMSA approved Tour Operator operating in the East London harbour, John runs a professional tourism operation and adheres to all the regulations and requirements, putting the safety of his passengers first.
Group Co-ordinator Katinka (John’s partner and right hand wo-man) originally hails from Germany but has fallen in love with and made East London her home. She has hosted and educated the many local, national and international guests and students who have enjoyed our river and coastal waters aboard the Southern Cross Cruises vessels. Her love of boating and sailing is only exceeded by her love for the environment and it is this passion which has driven her to educate the young school children, many of which have never seen the sea or been on a boat before… on the devastating effects that plastics and pollution have on our beautiful marine wildlife.
River Cruises – The Kwezi
Time and tide waits for no man so if you are a local and have never seen East London from the water… what are you waiting for? If you are not too adventurous and just want a sedate river cruise with some friends or family, the beautiful Kwezi is a lovely river barge capable of taking up to 20 passengers. Enjoy the harbour and the lovely Buffalo River from aboard this sedate lady. It is an unique way to enjoy our lovely harbour and river, and an experience that you won’t forget.
River Cruises – The Inyathi
How about a more intimate (8 – 12 passengers) sunset harbour cruise with your family and friends? The Inyathi is a gorgeous twin hulled yacht offering informal seating on the bow, hulls and near the wheel. This is the perfect vessel from which to sip a chilled drink while you watch the sun go down over the river. We highly recommend this option so hurry up, invite your nearest and dearest to experience the mellow rhythm of a laid back, sundowner river cruise. If you have guests from inland, don’t miss out on the opportunity to show those binnelanders why we choose this life over all the other options in South Africa.
Ocean Coastal Cruises – The Inyathi
If you would prefer to leave the harbour and do a coastal cruise, the beautiful Inyathi twin hulled yacht is perfect for this too. Taking (min 8 max 12) passengers, the Inyathi is the perfect way to view the lovely East London coastline and it’s abundant wildlife and marine life from the sea. Very popular with foreign tourists and visitors to our city, the coastal cruise is also popular with locals who hire it for private parties and fun corporate functions and events.
Ocean Sailing Cruises – The Samanta
If it is pure sailing you want, then your choice has to be the elegant sailing boat, the Samanta. Leave the harbour behind you, hoist the sails and let the wind take you for a true sailing experience. View our beautiful coastline under full sail aboard the Samanta… a unique, exciting and enervating experience. This lady is selective, only taking (4 min – max 6) at any one time. May the wind be with you.
Ocean Adrenalin Adventures – The Adrenalin
So river cruises and coastal cruises are a bit sedate for you are they? If you are an adrenalin junky then there is no doubt that a high speed ocean thrill ride aboard The Adrenalin is exactly what you need to get that blood pumping. Head out to sea onboard the Southern Cross Cruises high speed, agile rubber duck and enjoy 45 minutes of pure wave jumping and high speed antics. This exciting adventure is perfect for the young AND the young at heart!
Choosing your Tour Operator
Your safety is the most important issue you need to consider when choosing the correct cruise tour operator. A lesser known fact is that the law states it is your (the passengers) responsibility to make sure that you have checked the credentials of your tour operator before boarding one of their vessels. A good tour operator will be licensed, will adhere to carrying limits and will ensure that their passengers have all the safety equipment required by law.
So what do you need to do before you board the vessel for your river or ocean cruise?
- View the Skippers licence (should be on display at boarding point)
- View the Boat Licence (should be displayed at boarding point)
- See how many passengers are allowed onboard that particular boat (should be displayed at boarding point)
- All children under 12 are required by law to wear lifejackets
- If you are not a strong swimmer, make sure you ask for a lifejacket
As the most experienced, approved SAMSA Tour Operator in the East London Harbour, Southern Cross Cruises puts the safety of their passengers first.
This professional operation lead by it’s experienced skipper John and it’s dedicated Co-ordinator Katinka, has created a truly special experience, which attracts many visitors to our city and locals to our coastal waters. It is also one of the key reasons that makes East London integral to the Adventure Province visitor experience.
Article: Sandy Loppnow
Photographs: Southern Cross Cruises