South Africa’s Sunshine Coast
South Africa’s coastline is almost 3,000 km long, offering a wonderful variety of experiences. In this series, SA Blog dips a toe in the country’s major destination coasts.
The Sunshine Coast
- Where: The long, sun-drenched Indian Ocean coastal strip between Jeffrey’s Bay and East London, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province.
- Attractions: Jeffrey’s Bay, a major surfing center in SA; plenty more surfing in addition to J-Bay; Addo Elephant Park, inland from the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMMM – a.k.a. Port Elizabeth); Port Elizabeth, one of SA’s major cities, and East London, a river port city, one of SA’s quaintest cities; and Port Alfred and its nearby cousin, Kenton-on-Sea, with their endless beaches and many activities in and out of the water.
- How to get there… By car: From the Nelson Mandela Metropole (PE), take the N2, either west to J-Bay, or east to the R72, which runs along the coast to Port Alfred and beyond. (To get to East London, take the N2 east from PE via the historic city of Grahamstown.)
By Baz Bus: *Best Option* Just hop on! Takes you straight down the coast, from J-Bay to East London, via PE and Port Alfred. See Baz Bus route map | Book Baz Bus ticket
By bus: Take take a Translux or Intercape bus to J-Bay, PE, Port Alfred or East London.
By plane: Fly to Port Elizabeth Airport or East London Airport, then drive.
If you’re wild’n’crazy (& with at least one travelling companion): A. Get a map of SA’s entire southern coast. B. Find the main PE taxi rank, near the bus terminus in the city center. C. Ask random people about taxis to Port Alfred (alternatively, to J-Bay). D. Find the coastal village that looks most interesting to you, catch the taxi, and you’re off into the Sunshine Coast!
- Highlight: The fun you can have in the marine wilderness: surfing, sea kayaking, fishing, spelunking, hiking and so on!
- See also: South Africa’s Wild Coast
- More information: