Viljoensdrift is the estate with the boat. The flat-bottomed "Uncle Ben 2" spends about 50 minutes on the Breede; adults pay R120, children aged 3 to 12 pay R50 and younger ones ride free (as of September 2026). The booking page still lists the cruises. Whether the boats are actually running again after the Breede flood of May 2026 is something to ask the estate before you go.
- Viljoen family winemaking
- 1818
- Cellar Door opened
- 1998
- boat trip on the Breede
- 50 min
- payment on the estate
- cashless
By its own account the Viljoen family has made wine since 1818; as Huguenots the ancestors were still called "Villion", and the farm dates from 1863. Those ancestors already made Hanepoot and Muscadel, fortified with raw spirit. The Cellar Door has been open since 1998. Today Fred looks after the cellar and his brother Manie the vineyards.
- Cost
- boat trip R120, children 3 to 12 R50, under 3 free, as of September 2026
- When
- Nov to Apr Mon to Fri 9:00 to 17:00, Sat 10:00 to 17:00, Sun 10:00 to 16:00; May to Oct closed Mondays, as of September 2026
Our tipBook the boat trip and ask specifically whether it is running after the flood. Arrive 45 minutes before departure, pay by card and buy your picnic at the deli, as you cannot bring your own food.
Viljoensdrift: frequently asked questions
Are the Viljoensdrift boats running again after the 2026 flood?
The Viljoensdrift booking page still lists the Breede River cruise (as of September 2026). Whether the boats are actually running after the May 2026 flood, check with the estate before you go.
Can you bring your own food on the Viljoensdrift boat trip?
No, your own food is not allowed on the Viljoensdrift boat trip. You buy your picnic at the estate deli.
Is Viljoensdrift open on Mondays?
In summer, from November to April, Viljoensdrift near Robertson is open on Mondays too; in winter, from May to October, it is closed on Mondays (as of September 2026).