On Seal Point, the most westerly point of Cape St Francis, you’ll find a lighthouse which was built in 1873 and is now a national monument. Just past St Francis Bay, you’ll find the Cape St Francis Nature Reserve in which the dunes and fynbos are protected. The angling in Cape St Francis is excellent.
- Jeffreys Bay
Until fairly recently, Jeffreys Bay was not much more than a couple of rocks that made good sunset perches. Then, in the 1960's, waves were discovered by local surfers and since then, the town has become increasingly popular. Especially amongst backpackers.
- Thornhill
A little dorp not far from J'Bay, with plenty of unspoilt nature all around.
- Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is the 5th largest, and reportedly the safest, city in South Africa. It's surrounded by good beaches and has consistently good surf conditions.There are some fantastic backpackers in this city and if you are on the Baz Bus a stop over in PE is manditory.
- Kenton-On-Sea
Tthis quiet little paradise is off the beaten track. Ain't much to write home about the town itself. But who cares when the surroundings are so divine… Nature freaks should get off the bus and do their thang.
- Port Alfred
Port Alfred is a charming little town with a graceful architectural integrity not often found in South African seaside towns. Port Alfred is a very quaint and unassuming place with heaps to do. Actually, we're very fond of it – and not just 'cos the beer's cheap. There is one backpackers in town.
- HamburgEC
Tucked away at the end of a dirt road, Hamburg is an enchantingly dilapidated little village that nestles on an exquisite estuary.
- East London
East London is the largest river port in South Africa and is the gateweay to the Wild Coast
- Gonubie Eastern Cape
Rocking surf, dune boarding, diving and plenty of hiking.
- Sundays River
The Sundays River is a river in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa that is said to be the fastest flowing river in South Africa. The Khoisan people originally named this river Nukakamma (Grassy Water) because the river’s banks are always green and grassy despite the arid terrain that it runs through. The source of the 250 kilometres long river is in the Compassberg Mountains (the highest mountains in the former Cape Province) near Nieu-Bethesda.
- St Francis Bay
This little village on the outskirts of Jeffreys Bay is architectually very pleasing with all the white washed homes having thatched roofs. There is a new backpackers in town which is a great palce to stay as they offer great accommodation and have a lot of entertainment on tap.
Cape St Francis
Named after the patron saint of sailors, St Francis Bay was first discovered in 1575 by the Portuguese. It's become somewhat exclusive but still has one of the finest surf spots in the world according to King/surf bum Geoffrey and other surf rats.
The rocky cape of St Francis is named after the patron saint of sailors. Bruce ‘Endless Summer’ Brown, the patron saint of surfers, is probably a lot more famous than Francis. In 1961 Bruce and his buddy found their way to ‘dem big waves dere’, and the legend of Bruce’s beauties was born. It lives on today.
The waves
If you travel in search of great waves, be warned that Bruce’s Beauties only work a few days a year and that the area is more often flat than it is working. Hear the words of a surf guru: "Ah, Bruce’s Beauties. The green jewel of South Africa. A misguided view, apart from the rarity of Bruces at its awe-inspiring best, is that because it gets so perfect, it's a walk in the park. Nope. This 4m wave cranks down that point at Cape St Francis like a runaway steam train. To feast your eyes on these grinding tubes is to see one of the wonders of the world! Seal Point, or "Seals", with its landmark lighthouse, is a point with two distinct sections: an outside and a fullstop rock, from where the inside breaks. The inside is a more common phenomenon, except during peak surfing season between April and September."
If you travel in search of great waves, be warned that Bruce’s Beauties only work a few days a year and that the area is more often flat than it is working. Hear the words of a surf guru: "Ah, Bruce’s Beauties. The green jewel of South Africa. A misguided view, apart from the rarity of Bruces at its awe-inspiring best, is that because it gets so perfect, it's a walk in the park. Nope. This 4m wave cranks down that point at Cape St Francis like a runaway steam train. To feast your eyes on these grinding tubes is to see one of the wonders of the world! Seal Point, or "Seals", with its landmark lighthouse, is a point with two distinct sections: an outside and a fullstop rock, from where the inside breaks. The inside is a more common phenomenon, except during peak surfing season between April and September."
Places to Stay
- Cape St Francis Backpackers
Cape St Francis backpackers is located just off the beach. The town of Cape St Francis will give you some of the best surf breaks in South Africa.
- Seal Point Lodge and Backpackers
Bruce's elusive beauties are found around here…
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
This is a great backpackers where you can discover some country charm whilst in Greyton.
(Greyton Overberg,Overberg )
Little Brak Beach House offers fab out-of-town tranquillity and loads of comfort .
(Little Brak,Garden Route)
This Cape Town backpacking hostel is between the mountain and the city and within walking distance of everywhere.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
This East London backpackers is conveniently close East Londons's beaches, shops and bus station.
(East London,Sunshine Coast)
This is Cape Town backpackers is in the centre of Long Street.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Footsteps from the beach… and awesome waves.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
Buccaneers is one of the best backpackers in South Africa, this unique backpackers is a place that most travellers will visit - check it out for yourself.
(Chintsa-East,Wild Coast)
A riding centre on the edge of the winelands.
(Joostenbergvlakte,Wine Region)
This backpackers in Livingstone is close to the bus stop in Livingstone, this is town's newest backpackers.
(Livingstone,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
Car hire around Inhambane! Cool beans.
(Inhambane and Tofo,Mozambique)
