“Attending the inaugural African Boat Conference in Cape Town in October 2025 was truly an inspiring experience, marking a pivotal moment for the region’s marine sector. The atmosphere was vibrant, drawing over 200 industry experts, innovators and stakeholders from across the industry”, reports Asia Pacific Superyachts Seychelles GM, Gilbert d’Offay.
In the Panel Session, “A New Experience for Yacht Owners”, d’Offay pointed to the unique cultural and biodiversity offerings: “Besides offering a sailing venue out of the Med & Caribbean season, Africa has something money cannot buy – culture and biodiversity. There’s so much potential in this region.” Continuing on, he reported a focus of the conference was the imperative to establish a robust Southern Africa/Indian Ocean Islands Superyacht Route.
The sessions highlighted the opportunity to attract high-value tourism and essential refit business by establishing professional standards and greater regional collaboration reported The Newspaper of Cape Town. Panelists agreed that Southern Africa’s biggest advantage is its rare cultural and environmental diversity.
Conference Sessions included the idea of a dedicated superyacht route around the region entitled “Beyond the Cape: Mapping a Superyacht Route around Southern Africa”, hosted by Hillary Buckman, founder and director of Ocean Media Australia. Drawing comparisons with the well-established industries of Australia and New Zealand, Buckman emphasised the opportunities awaiting Africa if it positions itself as a premium destination. The panellists proposed Cape Town, Mozambique, Madagascar, Réunion, Seychelles, and the islands off Tanzania as prime stopovers. However, all agreed there is a strong need for intermediate facilities and safe anchorages to ensure smooth passage for captains.
The following Panel Session, “A Growing Appetite for Exploration”, focused on howsuperyacht owners are increasingly seeking unexplored destinations. The “Infrastructure and Collaboration” session foundthe success of the proposed route hinges not just on facilities but also regional cooperation. D’Offay emphasized harmonising regulations across borders: “A lot of people have worked in their individual regions, but now we must align regulations. It’s not just about the journey but also about time spent in each country. Superyachts often stay longer than intended if they enjoy the destination. Collaboration is essential for a seamless experience.” D’Offay emphasized harmonising regulations across borders, noting, “A lot of people have worked in their individual regions, but now we must align regulations.
“I had the opportunity to participate in insightful sessions, engage in meaningful networking, and explore innovative solutions tailored to Africa’s Superyacht needs. The Conference was an enriching experience that expanded my understanding of the industry and highlighted the exciting future of Africa’s Superyacht market. Overall, the event achieved its goal of creating a dedicated, business-to-business platform, leaving participants energized about the future and the collaborative strategy required to bring Africa’s marine industry to the next level.”