Port Alfred (original) (raw)
Port Alfred, Sunshine Coast
Port Alfred, with its stretches of sandy beach that extend for miles, lies on the banks of the Kowie River. Port Alfred was established by a group of English settlers in the early 1800s and, although now an active commercial and residential town, it has retained most of its English fishing village feel. Port Alfreds former thwarted attempts at becoming a major seaport, impossible due mainly to the sandbank at the mouth of the Kowie, have given rise to a huge yacht harbour and residential marina.
Port Alfred is known fondly as the �heart of the sunshine coast� and lies on Route 72 equidistant from Port Elizabeth and East London. Port Alfred boasts a wonderfully temperate climate - never too hot or cold - with rainfall in the spring and autumn months. This makes it an ideal water sports destination enhanced by the fact that the Kowie is navigable for about 28 kilometers upstream. The Kowie River, which flows into the Indian Ocean, divides the town in two and the banks are linked by a couple of bridges. Boat cruises and various hiking trails navigate this river region, rich in indigenous vegetation, fauna and bird life.
It is also the venue for the Kowie River Canoe Trail - a 40km-long return paddle and a 12km hike. Participants navigate the river to Waters Meeting Nature Reserve near Bathurst and then hike through forests famous for sheltering endangered barred owls.
The town of Port Alfred is now much sought after and it attracts holiday makers to its shores, not least because of its wonderful swimming beaches. Much like Jeffrey�s Bay, you can collect shells on the beaches and over 1800 different types of seashells have been spotted, including perlemoen. Water sport abounds here and you can swim, surf, boat, water-ski and scuba dive when you�re not fishing.
For those seeking dry land, there is always the Gary Player golf course at the Fish River Sun hotel, just 20 minutes drive from the town and neighbouring game reserves such as Shamwari. There are a few shopping centres, although not very large, cinema, restaurants and a marketplace in Port Alfred.
Travellers' Reviews
5 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified reviewexcellent
I ❤️ Port Alfred! Been going for years. We always have a lovely time here. People are friendly, lots to do, but still has a small-town feel about it. See y'all in December again!!
shannica (east london)
Verified reviewexcellent
I ❤️ Port Alfred! Been going for years. We always have a lovely time here. People are friendly, lots to do, but still has a small-town feel about it. See y'all in December again!!
shannica (east london)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
Wavecrest Self Catering Apartments
All accommodation suites have their own private entrances and sea views with a good mix of accommodation which is ideal for couples, small or lar...
Self Catering
Fat Gecko on Freshwater
Fat Gecko on Freshwater is a one bedroom self catering cottage in Port Alfred sleeping two guests. The bedroom is furnished with a double bed. Th...
Guest House
Villa Majestic
Villa Majestic is situated in the seaside town of Port Alfred. The house offers both bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation in a choic...
Self Catering
Pomeroy Lodges
Enjoy peace and tranquility at Pomeroy Lodges on this private game and nature reserve. Each thatched lodge accommodates up to four persons in one...
Self Catering
Dockside
Dockside is situated directly across the road from the picturesque small boat harbour on the East Bank of Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. You ha...
Self Catering
De' Nessie
De' Nessie is a three bedroom holiday home (accommodates six guests) situated in Kleinemonde just 17km from Port Alfred. The house is in walking ...
Self Catering
Starfish on Freshwater
Starfish on Freshwater is a quirky self catering cottage in Port Alfred sleeping two adults and one child. The bedroom is furnished with a doubl...
Bed & Breakfast
Sheilan House
Chic Afro-Mediterranean elegance awaits you at Sheilan House where you can enjoy 4 Star service in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The 4 doubl...
Self Catering
Bretton Beach Crest Holiday Cottages
Bretton Beach Crest resort offers accommodation in 9 comfortably furnished beach cottages in a superb setting in the natural coastal dune forest,...
Self Catering
Milkwood on Freshwater
Milkwood on Freshwater is a spacious holiday home in Port Alfred sleeping ten guests. The main bedroom is furnished with a Queen-size bed, the se...
Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
Richmond House Cottages
We offer upmarket accommodation for discerning guests seeking privacy and comfort. Our three charming cottages are comfortably furnished, generou...
Guest House / Self Catering
3040 on Freshwater
Tucked away along the Eastern Cape bush, 3040 On Freshwater offers peaceful accommodation. Our property surrounds a beautiful Milkwood tree gard...
Self Catering
Westend Apartment
Westend Apartment offers self catering accommodation in Kleinmonde, a small village just 15km away from Port Alfred. Here you are in the ideal lo...
Self Catering
Rusty Hook on Freshwater
Rusty Hook on Freshwater is a two bedroom fisherman cottage in Port Alfred sleeping four guests. The first bedroom is furnished with a Queen-size...
Self Catering
Westend House
Westend House is a fabulous self catering home offering accommodation in Kleinemonde, a small village just 15km away from Port Alfred. When stayi...
Game Lodge
Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve
Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve is located on the malaria-free Sunshine Coast in the Eastern Cape, where we have more daylight hours than any oth...
Game Lodge
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Great Fish River Lodge is located in the magnificent malaria-free Eastern Cape, Kwandwe Game Reserve and is within easy reach of South Africa's b...
Guest House
Hillscapes
Situated in Port Alfred, Hillscapes provides accommodation for six guests. The holistic approach of your hosts, Owen and Jo-Anne Hilliar, will at...
Hotel
Halyards Hotel
Few places on Earth share the stunning beauty of Port Alfred, which has been further enhanced by the successful development of the Royal Alfred M...
Guest House / Self Catering
Kowie River Guest House
Kowie River Guest House offers you a unique experience to enjoy all the conveniently situated facilities, whilst relaxing in our beautiful guesth...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
Cumberland House
Cumberland House and Cottage offers accommodation in a classic Cape style house. Situated in Port Alfred, it offers guests a beautiful environmen...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
The Lookout Guest House
The Lookout Guest House is rated by visitors as excellent accommodation and one of the best value for money establishments in Port Alfred. The Lo...
Guest House
The Beach House
The Beach House is the only upmarket Guest House right on the Port Alfred Beachfront. Awake to the sounds of the sea, view the passing boats and ...
Hotel / Bed & Breakfast
Royal St Andrews Hotel
The Royal St Andrews Hotel offers accommodation that is ideal for a business stay-over or luxury break-away destination. Our Luxury Wing rooms ar...
Self Catering
Oribi Haven
Oribi Haven is on Kasouga Farm between Port Alfred and Kenton on Sea on the R72. The farm runs along the coast for about 5kms with the two cottag...
Self Catering
Mansfield Private Reserve
Located just 6km outside of Port Alfred on the Bathurst Road by vehicle or 11km by boat up the Kowie River, Mansfield Private Reserve offers a va...
Guest House
The Royal Guest House
The Royal Guest House extends its warm welcome to all travellers - be it business or pleasure. We are situated on the East bank of the Kowie Rive...
Guest House / Bed & Breakfast
Alfred View Guest House
Alfred View Guest House is situated in Port Alfred and offers Sunshine Coast accommodation to suit the needs of the individual, couple or small g...
Self Catering
Gecko Cove on Freshwater
Tucked away along the Eastern Cape bush, Gecko Cove on Freshwater offers accommodation in Port Alfred only a short walk away from many of Port Al...
Guest House
Villa de Mer
Situated in Port Alfred, Villa de Mer offers accommodation in six different suites. Here guests are near to the Shamwari Game Reserve, Fish River...
Guest House
Villa Mtati
Villa Mtati is a spacious beachfront villa (sleeps 6) offering a fully catered experience. This exclusive use house is on three levels with panor...
Self Catering
Lavender House
Lavender House offers the ultimate in laid back beach house holiday accommodation. The house is let as a unit and sleeps 8 - 10 people. There is ...
Self Catering
Rugged Rocks Beach Cottages
Accommodation is offered in fully equipped Beach Cottages next to the beach. Excellent fishing, endless beaches and enchanting rock pools makes t...
Game Lodge
Fort D' Acre Reserve
Fort D' Acre Reserve offers luxury accommodation on the Sunshine Coast of South Africa's Eastern Cape, uniquely situated adjacent to the Gary Pla...
Self Catering
Green Fountain Caravan Park
Green Fountain Caravan Park, offers accommodation in a selection of luxury camping stands. We not only promise distinct quality and excellent ser...
Self Catering
Sandcastle Villa
Set amongst the natural beauty of the estate's fauna and flora, the awe-inspiring Sandcastle Villa was designed to imitate the land and boundless...
Self Catering
Westend
Westend House is a fabulous holiday home and apartment found in Kleinmonde, 15km from Port Alfred. This lovely home accommodates up to ten guests...
Self Catering
Kellys Beachfront Apartments
Kelly's Beachfront Apartments in Port Alfred are conveniently situated opposite the blue flag beach. Each apartment boasts sea views and has its ...
Things to do in the area
Water Sports
Boogy Boarding at Kidds Beach
So much of the accommodation in Port Alfred is either on or overlooking the gorgeous beaches. And, when you see the consistent swell and feel the...
Lighthouses
Great Fish Point Lighthouse
A 'rekindling of the light' ceremony, as noted by a bronze mounted plaque, commemorated the shining centennial of the Great Fish Point Lighthouse...
Family Entertainment
Lets go Fly a Kite
'Go fly a kite' has never been quite such a wondrous expression. High quality professional and recreational kites custom made from parachute and ...
Cruises
Port Alfred River Cruise
Cruises leave from the Small Boat Harbour in Port Alfred, taking you up the scenic Kowie River. These cruise trips are one and a half hours in du...
Miscellaneous
Fishing
Fishing Cruise
Fancy yourself a fisherman? This fishing charter will take you through the Kowie River Mouth to our fishing reefs in front of Port Alfred where ...
Museums
Richmond House Museum
The Eastern Cape of South Africa may be one of the quietest provinces, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. Exotic-looking beaches that...
Nurseries
Kumbula Indigenous Nursery
Kumbula Indigenous Nursery is situated in the picturesque 1820 Settler village of Bathurst, in the Eastern Cape. Our first aim is to promote the ...
Whale Watching
Whale Watching In Bluewater Bay
Between July and December of every year, the Eastern Cape coastline is frequented by Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales. These animals gli...
Noteworthy attractions
Beaches
Eastern Cape Beaches
The Eastern Cape in South Africa boasts some of the world�s best beaches and 800 km of unspoilt picturesque coastlines where blue oceans tumble o...
Golf Courses
Fish River Country Club
With breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean from several of its holes, the Fish River Sun Country Club offers golfers a parkland type challenge a...
Golf Courses
Royal Port Alfred Golf Club
Situated at Port Alfred, which is on the coast more or less halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London, the club was granted its 'Royal' pref...
Golf Courses
St Francis Bay Golf Club
St Francis Bay Golf Club is situated in the village of St Francis Bay on the warm Indian Ocean coastline of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The...
Golf Courses
St Francis Links
The layout of the St Francis Links Course combines every element of shot making with its undulating terrain, greens and surrounds as well as its ...
Golf Courses
Wedgewood Country Club
At Wedgewood Country Club, 18-holes of lush, tree-lined parkland course is at your disposal. Enormous blue gum trees along undulating fairways, w...
Game Reserves
Sibuya Game Reserve
Sibuya Game Reserve covers more than 2000 hectares and incorporates the unique East Cape Valley Bushveld, Grasslands and Coastal Forests. Antelop...
Nature Reserves
Woody Cape Nature Reserve
The conservation area extends over about 25 000 ha of lightly undulating to flat terrain and incorporates the Alexandria coastal dune fields (kno...
Museums
East London Museum
The East London Museum has the world's only dodo egg, a large natural science collection, collections ranging from the prehistoric times of South...
Find accommodation in Port Alfred
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