|
|
Heritage, Ocean Views and Wildlife |
The Eastern Cape coastline, which stretches from beyond Port Shepstone on the south-east coast to Cape St Francis in the south, is the ideal destination for those who like to holiday in peace and quiet. Holidaymakers who favour home comforts are advised to choose from among the many beach hotels with their idyllic lagoon and beachfront settings. Party animals, surfers and young backpackers find their own in places like the ocean-facing city of Port Elizabeth, the river port of East London and the surf havens of Jeffrey’s Bay (or J Bay) and Cape St. Francis.
Off the Beaten Track: Wild Coast to East London
This is rugged terrain – 4x4 vehicles are not mandatory, but definitely a plus. Coastal roads are often in an indifferent condition, gravel stretches are not uncommon, and livestock roam freely, so motorists are advised to be vigilant. The payback for travelling here is the sense of being off the beaten track, the majesty of high escarpments overlooking rivers and ocean and the delights of small tucked-away country hotels and camping sites in enviably scenic settings.
Attractions in the area include:
- ‘slackpacker’ walking trails. The region hosts some of the best guided, fully portered hiking trails in the country. Coastal trails like the Wild Coast Meander, Wild Coast Amble, Pondo Walk and Hole-in-the-Wall offer the chance to experience the inspiring scenery first-hand.
- family-owned hotels. Places like Umngazi River Mouth, Port St Johns, Coffee Bay, Hole-in-the-Wall, Chintsa, Mazeppa Bay, Morgan’s Bay and Kei Mouth are home to old-fashioned, family-orientated hotels from where the local surrounds can be explored.
- seafood treats like fresh linefish and locally caught lobster and oysters.
- opportunities to interact with the local Xhosa inhabitants, and observe their tribal customs. If you are fortunate you’ll see young tribal initiates smeared in clay, who attend local initiation schools in order to graduate to manhood.
- a round of golf next to the ocean at the Wild Coast Sun Casino Country Club links can be as invigorating as it is scenic; round off the day with cocktails next to the pool and a spin of the roulette wheel
The Sunshine Coast: East-London to Port Elizabeth
A very popular stretch, this part of the coast boasts a number of not-to-be missed holiday hideaway venues. An abundance of wildlife, historic towns, art festivals and superb beaches ensure both city slickers and locals visit regularly.
Highlights in the area include:
- beach destinations such as Mpekweni, Port Alfred with its Kowie River and Kenton-On-Sea.
- Shamwari Private Game Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park outside Port Elizabeth bring visitors face-to-face with Africa’s rhino, elephant and antelope in affordable, responsible luxury.
- Grahamstown – home to an annual mid-year arts festival in the style of the Edinburgh Festival; a magnificent cathedral, historic buildings and a vibrant student population - it serves up good times, food and music.
- Port Alfred – home to some great beaches, B&Bs and quaint restaurants.
- travel along the R72 from East London to Mpekweni and overnight.
- Port Elizabeth to enjoy the local beaches and water sports, history, cosmopolitan culture, vast number of family-friendly activities and marine-themed attractions, before heading for the surfing havens of Jeffrey’s Bay and Cape St. Francis
Laid-back Adventure: Jeffrey’s Bay, Aston Bay and Cape St Francis
Jeffrey’s Bay has gone from fishing village and surfers’ paradise to a full-blown holiday destination. However, travelling there outside of school holidays is the thing to do if you prefer a less frenetic pace and don’t like fighting over waves, as surfers travel from all over the world to this spot. With accommodation that covers  anything from rented rooms to ocean-facing state-of-the-art apartments it remains one of the country’s most sought-after beach destinations.
Minutes away in the tiny hamlet of Aston Bay, seafood platters served in sea-facing, feet-in-the-sand venues are an authentic regional treat not to be missed. Cape St. Francis and surrounds is where the die-hard surfing crowd likes to escape to. It’s beautiful, rugged and less commercial than Jeffrey’s Bay.
Take time to discover:
- make a day of it and start out from Port Elizabeth along the N2 to Jeffrey’s Bay – soak up the surfer culture, try the world-famous waves or opt for a leisurely breakfast before setting off for Aston Bay.
- settle in for a long lunch of cold beer and plentiful seafood.
- end the day at Cape St. Francis and toast the sunset with a good bottle of bubbly, then stay the night in the area and admire the moon lighting up the ocean while chatting to the local surfers who live according to their own rules.
Links:
|
|
|
|
|
|