SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2026

HUNDREDS OF BOATS. ONE RIVER. ONE MOVEMENT. ONE UNFORGETTABLE FLOTILLA

 

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON ON THE VAAL RIVER 2026

SATURDAY 05 SEPTEMBER

Join hundreds of boats cruising down the Vaal River together!

FREE ENTRY - EVERYONE WELCOME!

All River Hotels, Estates, Lodges, and Picnic Spots, Guest Houses, Restaurants, Pubs,
Boating, Golf, and Fishing Clubs - All Celebrating In Lots Of Different Ways!

Launch your boat, dress her up, play your music, and join the flotilla! Free launching
at numerous slipways! Fun prizes for the best-dressed up boat and music boat!
Great prizes for the best photos and videos submitted!

LIVE CRUISING AUCTION

Watch a boat being auctioned live while cruising in the Flotilla! A first-of-its-kind river experience!

LIVE 'TWITCH' RIVER LINK-UP

All boats connected live for music, commentary, updates, competitions and auction action - with very low data usage!

CRUISING DANCE CHALLENGE

Help attempt a Guinness World Record for the most people dancing on boats at the same time!

ONE MASSIVE FLOTILLA

Hundreds of boats cruising together down the Vaal River in one unforgettable celebration!

ALL PARTICIPATING VESSELS MUST BE FULLY COMPLIANT AND SKIPPERED BY LICENSED OPERATORS. 

 

1. ALBATROSS ANGLING CLUB
2. RIVIERA GOLF CLUB
3. RIVIERA HOTEL
4. RIVIERA VILLAS
5. RIVIERA AQUATIC CLUB
6. RIVERSPRAY LIFESTYLE ESTATE
7. RIVERSIDE BEACH CLUB
8. EMERALD CASINO
9. LIQUID LOUNGE AND HOUSE BOATS
10. ELIGWA AQUATIC BOAT CLUB
11. EMFULENI GOLF ESTATE
12. IRON RESTAURANT
13. HERON BANKS AND GOLF CLUB
14. THE VIEW ON VAAL RESORT @ABRAHAMSRUST
15. AQUA CRUISERS

16. RIVERSIDE SUN HOTEL,
17. WATERSPORTS UNLIMITED,
18. STONEHAVEN ON VAAL
19. THE VENUE
20. VAAL RIVER LODGE
21. OLD WILLOWS HOUSE BOATS
22. VAALDRIEHOEK DEEPSEA ANGLING CLUB
23. DUCK POINT
24. VAAL VILLA
25. HUNTERS MOON GUEST HOUSE
26. CLOUDY CREEK
27. LUCIANA COUNTRY ESTATE
28. BENEDETTO ON VAAL
29. LOCH VAAL CLUB
30. SHORES OF LOCH VAAL

31. SUNSET BOATS
32. FOOTLOOSE VAAL RIVER LODGE
33. 17 ON LOCH COTTAGES
34. RIVER RETREAT ON VAAL
35. BELLAMY ON VAAL
36. LOCH VAAL COTTAGE
37. HOUSE OF BELL
38. VAAL VILLA
39. VAAL RIVER HOUSE@LOCH VAAL
40. LION'S REST
41. VAAL RIVER RETREAT
42. WATERFRONT COUNTRY LODGE
43. MILOS
44. BISHOPS BAY
45. DRAGONFLY VIP

Hundreds of boats and South African flags on the Vaal | Vaalweekblad
Spectators lined the riverbanks, cheering and waving back at the passing boats. Some participants brought their pets along for the ride, while others turned their decks into floating lounges, complete with snacks, braais, and speakers pumping their favourite tunes.
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www.citizen.co.za

I don’t have a boat — can I still participate?

Absolutely! You can still be part of the flotilla aboard one of these commercial cruisers taking part in the celebrations:

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes — bookings are essential if you’d like to join the flotilla aboard one of the commercial cruisers.

Is the day family-friendly?

Definitely! Besides the flotilla itself, many river venues will be celebrating the day on land, with live entertainment, kiddies activities, great food and festive vibes all day long. And to top it all off — the Springboks vs All Blacks at 5pm, being shown at most river venues!