ShowMe South Africa

The 200km of coast from East London to Port Edward is called the Wild Coast. This remote stretch of coastline is home to some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world. It is sparsely populated except for rural Xhosa villages – their traditional huts perched on hills and open grasslands, which run down to deserted white beaches and a rocky coastline, ideal for fishing, hiking, surfing and diving. Visitors must share the beaches with local cattle, creating a feeling of being lost in time.

Hikers, surfers, fishermen, nature lovers and cyclists navigate the coastline, bathing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and wonderful tidal estuaries surrounded on either bank by indigenous riparian forest. The Wild Coast is also a paradise for bird watchers with some 320 species of birds listed.

Some visitors choose to self-drive and navigate gravel roads, goats and cattle, while others prefer to join scheduled activity-based tours like hiking, horse riding and mountain bike tours.

Bungalows, backpackers, beach lodges and modest hotels comprise the majority of accommodation in the Wild Coast’s populated areas. Accommodation is cheap in comparison to South Africa’s main tourist cities, but the remoteness of the area means that some pre-trip planning is necessary.

Places to visit

Cintsa, a small seaside paradise set against a tranquil lagoon, is only 45 kilometres from East London. Cintsa is surrounded by forested dunes and blessed with many perfect beaches and the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve close by, for game drives.

Haga Haga lies in a secluded bay, with breathtaking coastal cliffs and long, white beaches on either side that are safe for swimming.

Scenic Morgan Bay boasts a 1.5km unspoiled beach, forested dunes, a tranquil lagoon and tumbling dolerite cliffs with a range of magnificent horse trails to enjoy.

Kei Mouth has a wide range of accommodation and a long list of activities including everything from deep-sea fishing to golf. It is also the start of the popular 4 day Strandloper Trail which can be done the conventional way or by slackpacking.

Further along the coast is Coffee Bay, which is regarded as one of South Africa’s most beautiful beach destinations. The undulating hills dotted with traditional Xhosa huts provide a calm contrast to the striking cliffs and thrashing waves of Coffee Bay. There is also an incredible natural wonder here called the Hole in the Wall, seen left.

Abseiling, quad biking, spear fishing, horse riding and village tours are just some of the activities on offer in Coffee Bay. Or you could do the Hole in the Wall 5 day hiking trail. South of Coffee Bay is the Dwesa-Cebe Nature Reserve that protects one of the biggest sections of indigenous coastal forest in the Eastern Cape and is also a critically important marine conservation area.

Still further north is Port St Johns, one of the Wild Coast’s most popular seaside destinations. It is set against the Umzimvubu River mouth and surrounded by subtropical rain forest and cliff faces. There are 3 nature reserves closeby. 6km south of town, the beautiful Silaka Nature Reserve is a popular hiking and birding spot and a little further south is the Hluleka Nature Reserve. 30km north of town is the beautiful Mkhambathi Nature Reserve. The Wild Coast Pondo Slackpacing Walk is also very popular.

Other things to do

The Wild Coast is the place to be for anglers! Winter and spring bring game fish but all year round there is good fishing. Deep-sea charters are available as well as rock, surf, fly and spear fishing. Fishing licenses are required and can be obtained from your local post office. See our fishing articles.

There are stunning 4×4 Routes. Operators offer exciting trails on the Wild Coast, including the Mazeppa Bay area. Tourists are advised to explore these trails with a recognised guide as there are no maps available and much harm is done to private property and the environment. No driving on beaches is allowed.

Snorkelling and scuba diving can be done at many sites along the Wild Coast. Divers and treasure hunters find endless excitement in searching for coins, crockery, cannons and other relics from numerous old shipwrecks along the coast.