Lady Stanford River Cruises

Riverboat Cruises - Kayak Rental

Hop aboard the Lady Stanford for a scenic cruise along the Klein River toward the Hermanus Estuary bird sanctuary, and back. Lady Stanford River Cruises offers a spacious eco-friendly riverboat with two spacious levels, perfect for the ultimate photo opportunities. The Klein River is home to over a hundred bird species including fish eagles, pink flamingos and blue cranes. Keep an eye out for otters, turtles, bontebok and horses along the banks of the river as you make your way toward the lagoon with Lady Stanford River Cruises. Although passengers must bring refreshments, drinking glasses and ice are provided on each trip. Lady Stanford River Cruises offers day trips to the public as well as private boat charters for team-building events, birthday parties and intimate weddings. Lady Stanford River Cruises carries 26 passengers. Kayak rental is available for those wanting to explore the river at their own pace.

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About
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About

With over 25 years of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, William Stephens is best known for his involvement in the development of CapeNature’s, De Hoop Nature Reserve.

William also chaired the Stanford Tourism Bureau for two years and has a deep passion for the historic village and its community.

Lady Stanford River Cruises is a collaboration between William and world leaders in the responsible tourism industry, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve™.

Boat Amenities

Boat Amenities

Lady Stanford River Cruises is a spacious riverboat with ample seating for 26 passengers.

Amenities
  • Birding Lists
  • Drinking Glasses
  • Ice

All you need to bring is:

  • Refreshments
  • Hat
  • Jacket (there can be a cool breeze even on very hot days)
  • Sunblock
  • Bathing Costume
  • Towel

If you would like a few extras, the Lady Stanford River Cruises team can arrange (with prior notice):

  • Inflatable Boat Tubes 
  • Gas Braai
  • Music 

The most important question, answered last:

  • Flush toilets on-site before and after trips
  • Private eco-friendly toilet onboard for emergencies
 
 
Daily Cruises

Daily Cruises

The Klein River has an abundance of natural surprises in store, and a cruise with Lady Stanford River Cruises promises to be a river safari of note. 

From sunrise to sunset, the river’s many animal species all go about their daily business, and what better way to watch the show than from a riverboat? 

Sunrise Cruise
  • Time - 8:00 until 10:00
Late Morning Trip
  •  Time - 10:30 until 12:30
Early Afternoon Trip
  • Time - 13:00 until 15:00
Late Afternoon Trip
  • Time - 15:30 until 17:30
Sunset Cruise
  • Departure Time - 18:00 (peak summer season only)

 Book Online:

Private Charters

Private Charters

Lady Stanford River Cruises offers a private charter of the riverboat so that you can have exclusive use of it for your private gathering. This opportunity is ideal for:

  • Functions
  • Team-building Outings
  • Birthday Parties
  • Bachelor Parties
  • Intimate Weddings
Cost
  • R4,200 Full Boat Charter
Departure Time
  • Pre-arranged
Duration
  • Two hours

Book Online:

Contact Lady Stanford River Cruises for more information about private charters.

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Vouchers
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Vouchers

Lady Stanford River Cruises offers the perfect gift solution with a choice of two voucher options:

1. Two-Hour River Cruise Voucher: https://ladystanford.activitar.com/services/10926

2. Private Two-Hour River Cruise Voucher: https://ladystanford.activitar.com/services/10927

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of Lady Stanford River Cruises are as follows:

  • Full payment is required to secure the booking
  • Cruises are weather dependent and are subject to cancellation up to two hours prior notice by the operator with a full refund
  • Cruises cancelled by the client no less than 24 hours before departure time receive a 50% refund
  • Cruises cancelled within 24 hours of departure time receive no refund
  • No-shows and late arrivals receive no refund
  • Indemnity forms must be signed before departure
  • Pets are not permitted onboard
Kayak Rentals
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Kayak Rentals

Lady Stanford River Cruises offers kayak rentals for your self-guided excursion along the Klein River.

Rental Cost
  • Single Kayaks - R200
  • Dual Kayaks - R300
Duration
  • +/- 2hours
Included
  • Life Vests
  • Paddles

For more information, contact Lady Stanford River Cruises.

Bird Checklist

Bird Checklist

Lady Stanford River Cruises has a knowledgeable guide who will point out some of the bird species that make their home along the estuary. 

Birding Checklist
  • African black duck
  • African darter
  • African fish eagle
  • African harrier hawk
  • African hoopoe
  • African sacred ibis
  • African snipe
  • African spoonbill
  • African swamphen
  • Alpine swift
  • Black crake
  • Black sparrowhawk
  • Black-winged stilt 
  • Black-headed heron
  • Black-winged kite
  • Blacksmith lapwing
  • Blue crane
  • Cape cormorant
  • Cape shoveler
  • Cape teal
  • Cape weaver
  • Caspian tern
  • Cattle egret
  • Common buzzard
  • Common greenshank
  • Common moorhen
  • Common tern
  • Crowned lapwing
  • Egyptian goose
  • Fork-tailed drongo
  • Giant kingfisher
  • Great white pelican
  • Greater Flamingo
  • Grey heron
  • Hadeda ibis
  • Hottentot teal
  • Jackal buzzard
  • Klaas’s cuckoo
  • Lesser swamp warbler
  • Little bittern
  • Little egret
  • Little grebe
  • Little rush warbler
  • Malachite Kingfisher
  • Marsh harrier 
  • Martial eagle
  • Olive thrush
  • Osprey
  • Paradise flycatcher
  • Pied kingfisher
  • Purple heron
  • Red-knobbed coot
  • Reed cormorant
  • Sombre greenbul
  • Southern boubou
  • Southern pochard
  • Southern red bishop
  • Spotted eagle owl
  • Spur-winged goose
  • Squacco heron
  • Water thick-knee
  • Water-backed duck
  • White-breasted cormorant
  • White-faced duck
  • White-throated swallow
  • Yellow-billed duck
  • Yellow-billed egret
  • Yellow-billed Kite
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Reviews

Reviews

“Lady Stanford River Cruises gives great bang for your buck! We cruised the river and there were amazing places to swim and tube. I recommend booking the whole boat for two sessions so you can stay out for longer than 2.5 hours!”  Ilan Ben-David
“We enjoyed a slow, relaxing cruise down the Klein Rivier under the guidance of our friendly captain. As we were a big group, we were lucky to be able to charter the whole boat. We brought food platters and drinks on board. The scenery along the river is breathtaking and a paradise for bird watchers, there are plenty of opportunities to spot them.”  Joshua Lee
“Lady Stanford River Cruises offers a modern riverboat that makes general trips or private cruises on the Klein River between Stanford and the Hermanus Lagoon. The backwaters provide copious amounts of birdlife as you glide past some of the hidden waterside homes. The wind can whip through the valley so some timetables are subject to weather conditions. The skipper was welcoming, informative and great company, taking great care that we saw many interesting things along the way. The navigable section of the river is about 8km so it is a relaxed amble through the reeds until the waterway widens. Bring drinks and a picnic for a pleasant summer outing.” Happy Client
“Lady Stanford River Cruises takes you on a gentle tour into the huge Stanford wetlands. It is a beautiful and peaceful spot. The boat is a modern aluminium, double-deck pontoon that meanders quietly along the river and is perfectly comfortable with a big upper deck for the best viewing. It is a must for any birdwatcher and the skipper knows his birds. We saw just under 60 species and I would do it all again if only I had more time. Remember to bring refreshments.” Happy Client
“We booked this cruise to experience the river and see Stanford from the water. The barge is impressive. There was a great group of people on board. Our skipper was informative and is a serious birder so if you enjoy bird-watching you're in for a treat. Don’t forget to take snacks and drinks to enjoy while you travel down the river. We will do this again!” Happy Client

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