PE Beaches

Nelson Mandela Bay’s pristine beaches are legendary, with three beaches retaining their full stage Blue Flag status and once having been awarded pilot status. The Eastern Cape beaches are more wild and unspoilt compared to the many commercial beaches in South Africa. 

The international Blue Flag is awarded annually to beaches that meet excellence in the areas of safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards. South Africa is the first country outside of Europe to win Blue Flag accreditation for its beaches. Humewood Beach, Well’s Estate Beach and Kings Beach have already been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2008 season whilst Hobie Beach has pilot status.

Summer water temperatures range from 18 to 21 degrees C and from 14 to 19 degrees C during winter. Sea conditions are generally calm in the bay, except when the south-easterly wind blows. Wide expanses of golden sands are ideal for safe, sheltered swimming and other water sports and beach recreational activities abound. Professional lifeguards patrol most beaches during summer.

The Northern Beaches consist of vast stretches of sand and dune beach, which provide superb angling and swimming opportunities. These include Brighton Beach, St. George’s Strand and Bluewater Bay. Bluewater Bay is very popular for swimming, boating, fishing, whale - and dolphin watching and beach walks on the 12 km outstretched beach. Wells Estate which has been granted Blue Flag status has a long pier over the dunes and the complex includes a paddling pool and waterslides.

The Southern Beaches, form part of the main beachfront area and include Humewood Beach, King’s Beach, Hobie Beach and Pollok Beach.

King’s Beach is a magnificent 1,6km-long expanse of golden sand extending from the harbour wall to Humewood. The beach is ideal for safe swimming, body surfing, sun bathing and long beach walks, and includes family entertainment facilities. The King’s Beach promenade encompasses an extensive playground for children and paddling pools for toddlers.

Hobie Beach with its landmark “Shark Rock Pier” is one of Port Elizabeth’s main beaches and bustles with activity, both in and out of the water during the summertime. The beach is preferred for swimming, sunbathing and body surfing, and also offers sheltered rock pools with interesting inter-tidal sealife.

Humewood Beach is a favourite family beach because it offers sheltered swimming, body surfing and shade under the promenade and sheltered sub-way.

Pollok Beach or “The Pipe", as it is known locally, is favoured by surfers because of its excellent waves and surfing opportunities.

Sardinia Bay beach is popular as a swimming, (Be careful of the back currents), kite surfing, sand boarding, horse riding and sun bathing beach. One of the aspects of Sardinia Bay is the beach’s proximity to a protected natural area. The Chelsea Downs Nature Reserve is accessible to the public without the need for a permit. It has a number of walking and horse riding trails, small watery alcoves and plenty of vegetation and wildlife.

Maitland’s Beach -30 kilometers from Port Elizabeth, at the foot of the famous Maitland dune and you will discover a virtually untouched stretch of pristine beach kilometers long, stretching all the way to Gamtoos River Mouth and onto Jeffery's Bay. Here is an opportunityto try the activity of sand boarding which is a must for youngsters, whilst the pleasure of walking along the beach at sunset is an experience not to be missed. The Southern Right Whales and their calves are regularly spotted from the high dunes at Maitlands and Seaview, usually between May and November. Bottlenose dolphins are often seen close to shore and if you’re lucky you might get to swim with these beautiful creatures.

Jefferys Bay beach offers a long stretch of pristine beache with fantastic waves and swells. The waves that hit these shores are so incredible that this town hosts the Billabong Pro each year. Popular spots include Kitchen Windows, Magna Tubes, Boneyards, Supertubes and Tubes.

We look forward to showing you our remarkable city, and will tailor make a trip to suit your requirements.

Our service is personalised. Transfers to and from your B & B, Guesthouse, Lodge, Hotel or Airport can be arranged, should you not be staying with us at "Ebubeleni".

For more information please feel free to contact us at info@ebubeleni.com. We can facilitate your arrangements and make your stay in Port Elizabeth - (Nelson Mandela Bay) a lifetime memory.