In a groundbreaking move that’s set to revolutionise both transportation and tourism, Uber has announced the launch of UberSub Safari, a cutting-edge submarine ride service designed to navigate Cape Town’s canals. Yes, you heard that right – soon, you’ll be able to summon your own private submersible with just a few taps on your phone!
Following the success of UberBoat in cities like London and Istanbul, Uber is taking things to the next level by offering a fully immersive aquatic experience. The UberSub Safari fleet will feature state-of-the-art glass-bottom submarines, allowing riders to soak in the breathtaking underwater scenery of the Mother City’s historic waterways.
This move follows Uber's successful introduction of Uber Safari for Cape Town’s peak summer tourist season. The Uber Safari service offered riders the chance to book a day trip to see The Big Five at nearby Aquila Private Game Reserve up till end January 2025.
The UberSub Safari is expected to launch in May and will be aimed at both tourists and locals alike, providing tourists with a fish-eye’s view of Cape Town’s Canals while also offering locals a traffic-free alternative to commute around the city centre.
City of Cape Town officials welcomed the new service as both a boon to tourism and a much-needed method to reduce heavy traffic in the CBD.
Furthermore, City tourism officials said Uber’s new submarine safari will complement The Waterfront Duck, the country’s first all-in-one land and water amphibious trip that launched in 2024. The Waterfront Duck is an amphibious vehicle that takes tourists on a tour of the waterfront and surrounding area’s land before plunging into the waters for a boat ride around the V&A Waterfront
Booking an UberSub Safari is expected to be as easy as requesting a regular Uber ride. Passengers will be able to simply select the “UberSub Safari” option in the app, choose their pickup dock, and within minutes, a sleek, electric-powered submarine will surface to whisk them away.
The service will initially only be available in Cape Town’s Waterfront district, with planned expansions to the city’s other canals and harbours in the coming months.
UberSub Safari ride will come with a range of exciting features, including:
Pricing will start at a competitive R250 per ride, with premium options for those seeking the Uber Deep Blue experience and/or onboard refreshments included.
Uber said that if the UberSub Safari service proves to be successful, it is considering launching additional water-based services in Cape Town, including UberSurf, an on-demand jet ski service, and UberShark, a thrilling (but totally safe) cage-diving transportation option for the truly adventurous.
Cape Town residents and tourists alike are buzzing with excitement over this announcement. However, before you start planning your next submarine excursion, take a quick look at today’s date!
