• 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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East London

East London has three backpacking hostels which all offer something different. It is a great place to stop before the Wild Coast or Garden Route.


East London has the largest river port in the country. It’s a great surf stop and those in the know say that Nahoon Reef is comparable to Sunset Beach in Hawaii. Check out the museum’s Coelacanth. Ancestor to amphibians which in turn became land vertebrates (that’s you and me), the Coelacanth was believed to have been extinct for over 70 million years. Until one was caught by a local fishing trawler! The museum also has one of the world’s few dodo eggs. The river was known to the Hottentots as Iggab! ab (place of buffaloes). East London is a harbour for the export of citrus, mineral ores and wool. Considerable imports are also handled here.
Stock up on cash.
If you're heading for the Transkei, feed your wallet before you leave as banking in the Transkei is tiresome.
Surf’s up.
If surfing is your thing, take time to stop for some of the best waves in the country.
Bizarre.
When East London was first founded, 157 Irish woman were "imported" to become brides to the settlers.

Places to Stay

  • Buffalo Backpackers

    This East London backpackers is conveniently close East Londons's beaches, shops and bus station.
  • East London Backpackers

    East London backpackers is just 50m from Orient beach with restaurants, clubs and pubs nearby.
  • Niki Nana Backpackers

    This East london backpackers has a zany zebra striped roof you can spot from the air and bright green walls, you can't miss it.
  • Sugarshack

    This East London backpackers lodge is located right on the beach in East London and overlooking a great swell.
 Feeling lucky?
(randomly selected service providers from all regions)

Kwantu Game Reserve
Take a game ranger's course or volunteer at this private reserve.
(Port Elizabeth,Garden Route)

Johannesburg Airport Safaris
Get off the plane and into safari mode.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)

Calypso Dive and Adventure Centre
Dive at the aquarium and for close up encounters with big (and smal)l fish.
(Durban ,Durban)

Abreak Away
Want to surf, drum, kayak, have fun? It's all here.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)

Nomad Adventure Tours
An owner driven business with thousands of kilometers and a few years of adventurous travel in the bag.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Overland Trips)

Acacia Adventure Holidays
An action packed trip from Cape Town to Vic Falls, ending in Jo'burg.
(Mossel Bay,Overland Trips)

Gansbaai Backpackers
Within a yell (scream) of the shark's playground…
(Gansbaai,Overberg )

Fisherhaven Traveller’s Lodge
Fisherhaven is before Hermanus, on the Bot River Lagoon.
(Fisherhaven,Overberg )

The Hippo Backpackers
A great backpacking hostel in the centre of Port Elizabeth.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)

Apex Shark Expeditions
See the 'flying' Great White Sharks above and below water.
(Simon's Town,Cape Town)